• APS-C 355.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D3100
  • Canon PowerShot G12
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website
Nikon D3100 webpage
Manufacturer website
Canon PowerShot G12 webpage
Predecessor:   Canon G11
G11 vs G12
Successor: Nikon D3200
D3100 vs D3200
Canon G15
G12 vs G15
General
Model Number: D3100 G12
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Mid-Sized
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $699.95 $499.99
Street Price:   $853.79
Date Available: 2010-09-15 2010-10-01
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 27.4 oz (777 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
14.2 oz (402 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.9 x 3.8 x 2.9 in.
(125 x 97 x 74 mm)
4.4 x 3.0 x 1.9 in.
(112 x 76 x 48 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CCD
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 14.2 10.0
Sensor Format: APS-C 1/1.7 inch
Sensor size: 355.74mm2 (23.10mm x 15.40mm) 43.32mm2 (7.6mm x 5.7mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.01 microns 2.08 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x n/a
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed  
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 67 47
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.5 20.4
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.3 11.2
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 919 161
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4608 x 3072 (14.2 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 2304 (8.0 MP, 3:2),
2304 x 1536 (3.5 MP, 3:2)
3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
3648 x 2432 (8.9 MP, 3:2),
3648 x 2048 (7.5 MP, 16:9),
2816 x 2112 (5.9 MP, 4:3),
2816 x 1880 (5.3 MP, 3:2),
2816 x 1584 (4.5 MP, 16:9),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
640 x 360 (0.2 MP, 16:9),
1824 x 1368 (2.5 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW (12-bit .NEF), RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.2), CR2
Continuous-mode frames/second: 2.9 2.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (24)
1280x720 (30/​25/​24)
640x424 (24)
1280x720 (24)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
Movie File Format: MOV H.264/MPEG-4 MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F n/a
Lens: Nikkor AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Canon Zoom Lens, 11 elements in 9 groups, 1 aspherical element
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 28 - 140mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 6.1 - 30.5mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 5.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 38 (T) f/2.8 (W) / f/4.5 (T) - f/8.0
Integrated ND Filter: No Yes
Normal Focus Range: 28 cm to Infinity
11.0 in to Infinity
5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:   1 - 50 cm
0.4 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: 52.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 11-Area Phase Detection, 1 cross-type, 9 line-type Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection; 9-point AiAF, 1-point (center for face select and track)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes No
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 18mm eyepoint, -1.7 to +0.5 diopter Real-image optical zoom
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.53x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.80x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 2.8
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 461,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200  
Minimum ISO (native): 100  
ISO Settings: 100 - 3,200; expandable to 12800 Auto, 80 to 3200 in 1/3 EV steps; up to 12800 in 2.5-mp Low Light mode
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent (7 types), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Preset Manual;all except Preset Manual with fine tuning Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom 1/2, Underwater
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 420 segment 3D color matrix metering II, color matrix metering II, center-weighted, spot (3.5mm) Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot, Face Detect AE
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close up, Night portrait Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Sports, Night Snapshot, Kids & Pets, Indoor, Sunset, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Aquarium, Underwater, Color Accent, Color Swap, Stitch Assist., Special Scene, Low Light
Self Timer: 10 or 2 seconds 1 - 30 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Red-Eye Reduction, Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync, Slow Sync, Rear-Curtain Sync. Auto, Auto w/Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On w/Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; FE lock, Safety FE, Slow Synchro, Second-curtain synchro
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Auto ISO: 1.6 ft.-23 ft./50 cm-7 m (W), 1.6-13 ft./50cm-4.0m (T)
Max Flash Sync: 1/200 1/2000
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: ISO hot shoe Hot-Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (12-bit .NEF), RAW+JPEG CR2
Movie File Format: MOV H.264/MPEG-4 MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM)
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: No 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 No
Remote Control Type: Optional, MC-DC2 corded  
Connections (extended): Type C mini-HDMI with CEC, Accessory Terminal (MC-DC2 remote cord or GP-1 GPS unit) HDMI mini out
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.55 2.40
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.54 2.70
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):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 2.9 2.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 100 Unlimited
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.28 seconds 0.66 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):   0.75 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.200 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.30 seconds 0.98 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.117 seconds 0.076 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Live View: Full AF lag (AF-S or AF-F) = 1.5s Prefocused lag = 0.479s  
Startup Time: 0.4 seconds 2.7 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.5 seconds 4.1 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   370 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 550 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL14 Proprietary NB-7L
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL14 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NB-7L Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Nikon Software Suite CD-ROM Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows XP SP3/Vista/7, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 1080p HD movies, Quiet Shutter mode, new full-time AF in Movie mode. Articulating LCD, Optical Image Stabilization, RAW Mode, 720p HD Videos, HDMI Out, Face, Blink, Motion Detection, Intelligent Contrast Correction, HDR Mode, Low Light Mode.