• APS-C 355.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 156.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon D3100 advantages over Nikon S5200

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 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 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 550 vs 160 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon S5200 advantages over Nikon D3100

  • Less expensive
    $180 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Thinner
    21 mm vs 74 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 2.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

The Competition

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
Nikon S5200
Sony DSLR-A380
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

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
Nikon S5200
Sony A33
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

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
Nikon S5200
Pentax K-r
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Fujifilm JX580

Nikon D3100
Fujifilm JX580
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $197
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
Nikon S5200
Fujifilm JX580
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $197
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compared to Nikon S3500

Nikon D3100
Nikon S3500
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon S5200
Nikon S3500
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More dots on screen
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
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