Nikon D3100 vs Canon G7X

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon D3100 vs Canon G7X

APS-C 355.7mm²
14.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3100 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D3100.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
24.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon G7X Review.
How does it shoot? Canon G7X in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G7X.
Compare Canon G7X image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon G7X conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D3200
Compare D3100 vs D3200

Succeeded by the Canon G7X Mark II
Compare G7X vs G7X Mark II

Compare NIKON D3200 vs CANON G7X MARK II

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Differences

Nikon D3100 advantages over Canon G7X

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 5.01 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 1.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D3100 test data on DxO Mark G7X test data on DxO Mark

919 vs 556 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

550 vs 210 shots
Capture more photos
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 14 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon G7X advantages over Nikon D3100

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
G7X test data on DxO Mark D3100 test data on DxO Mark

12.7 vs 11.2 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Thinner
40 mm vs 74 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/200 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
10 years vs 14 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More dots on screen
1040k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More pixels
20.2 vs 14.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Longer exposure
250 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
6.6 fps vs 2.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3100 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read G7X User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D3100

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Buy the Canon G7X

Canon G7X

Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D3100 Full Review

Very compact body fits in a pants pocket; Zoom lens is both brighter and further-reaching than anything offered by its enthusiast compact rivals; Selfie-friendly tilting LCD monitor; Intuitive touch-screen interface; Very good image quality for its class; Wi-Fi connectivity gets photos on your phone
No electronic viewfinder; Soft corners at wide-angle; Flare issues and fringing shooting wide-open; Weak performance when shooting raw files; Tendency to underexpose in low light; Limited battery life
Read our Canon G7X Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Nikon D3100

Sony RX100 III

$700
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$748
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Sony RX100 III

Canon G7X

Sony RX100 III

$699
1 inch

Touchscreen
More telephoto lens reach

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon G7X vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Panasonic LX100

Nikon D3100

Panasonic LX100

$700
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Panasonic LX100

Canon G7X

Panasonic LX100

$699
1 inch

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

$598
4/3

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon G7X vs Panasonic LX100

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Nikon D3100

Sony DSLR-A380

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$849
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Canon G7X

Sony DSLR-A380

$699
1 inch

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$849
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon G7X vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Sony A33

Nikon D3100

Sony A33

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$540
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Sony A33

Canon G7X

Sony A33

$699
1 inch

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$540
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon G7X vs Sony A33

Compared to Pentax K-r

Nikon D3100

Pentax K-r

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$850
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-r

Canon G7X

Pentax K-r

$699
1 inch

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$850
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon G7X vs Pentax K-r

Compare Other Cameras?