• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 355.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D300S
  • Nikon D3100
Links
Prices: Compare Prices  
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Nikon D3100 webpage
Predecessor: Nikon D300
D300 vs D300S
 
Successor: Nikon D500
D300S vs D500
Nikon D3200
D3100 vs D3200
General
Model Number: D300S D3100
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1799.95 $699.95
Street Price: $1,696.95  
Date Available: 2009-08-31 2010-09-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 33.5 oz (951 g)
includes batteries
27.4 oz (777 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9 in.
(147 x 114 x 74 mm)
4.9 x 3.8 x 2.9 in.
(125 x 97 x 74 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 12.3 14.2
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 372.88mm2 (23.60mm x 15.80mm) 355.74mm2 (23.10mm x 15.40mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.50 microns 5.01 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 70 67
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.5 22.5
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.2 11.3
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 787 919
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4288 x 2848 (12.2 MP, Other),
3216 x 2136 (6.9 MP, Other),
2144 x 1424 (3.1 MP, Other)
4608 x 3072 (14.2 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 2304 (8.0 MP, 3:2),
2304 x 1536 (3.5 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), NEF (RAW), 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed; RAW+JPEG, TIFF JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW (12-bit .NEF), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 7.1 2.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x424 (24)
320x216 (24)
1920x1080 (24)
1280x720 (30/​25/​24)
640x424 (24)
Movie File Format: AVI Motion JPEG MOV H.264/MPEG-4
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes No
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F Nikon F
Lens: n/a Nikkor AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual):   18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio:   3.00x
Aperture Range:   f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 38 (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   28 cm to Infinity
11.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 52.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 51 point (15 cross-type sensors) TTL phase detection with 3D focus tracking by Nikon Multi-CAM 3500DX Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 11-Area Phase Detection, 1 cross-type, 9 line-type
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type: eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.94x mag., 19.5mm eyepoint, -2 to +1 diopter SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 18mm eyepoint, -1.7 to +0.5 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.63x 0.53x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.94x 0.80x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 230,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x 27.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 3200
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto, ISO 200-3200, Lo-1=100, Hi-1=6400 100 - 3,200; expandable to 12800
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, 7 manual modes with fine tuning, color temperature Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent (7 types), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Preset Manual;all except Preset Manual with fine tuning
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot 420 segment 3D color matrix metering II, color matrix metering II, center-weighted, spot (3.5mm)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: N/A Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close up, Night portrait
Self Timer: 2 to 20 seconds 10 or 2 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes  
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Front-Curtain Sync, Red-Eye Reduction, Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync, Slow Sync, and Rear-Curtain Sync; supports Advanced Wireless Lighting system Red-Eye Reduction, Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync, Slow Sync, Rear-Curtain Sync.
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Lens dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/200
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe, Sync Terminal ISO hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure  
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory: Dual slots, CF+SD  
Dual Card Slots: Yes No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: NEF (RAW), 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed; RAW+JPEG, TIFF RAW (12-bit .NEF), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: AVI Motion JPEG MOV H.264/MPEG-4
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: Yes No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired Optional, MC-DC2 corded
Connections (extended): Type-C HDMI Out, DC In, PC Sync, 10-pin Remote Terminal Type C mini-HDMI with CEC, Accessory Terminal (MC-DC2 remote cord or GP-1 GPS unit)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.48 0.55
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.48 0.54
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.47  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 7.1 2.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 26 100
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 7.1  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 17  
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 7.1  
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 15  
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.23 seconds 0.28 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): 0.47 seconds  
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): 0.053 seconds  
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.150 seconds 0.200 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.27 seconds 0.30 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.053 seconds 0.117 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Live View lags Hand-held mode Phase-detect AF: 0.473s Hand-held mode Prefocused: 0.053s Tripod mode Contrast-detect AF: 2.5s Tripod mode Prefocused: 0.419s Live View: Full AF lag (AF-S or AF-F) = 1.5s Prefocused lag = 0.479s
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 0.4 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 1.7 seconds 3.5 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 950 shots 550 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL3e, optional MB-D10 battery pack Proprietary EN-EL14
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL3e Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary EN-EL14 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: PictureProject CD-ROM Nikon Software Suite CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS X Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Upgrade to D300 adding 720p HD movies, faster burst rate, and other minor improvements. 1080p HD movies, Quiet Shutter mode, new full-time AF in Movie mode.