• APS-C 355.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 20.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon D3100 advantages over Panasonic FZ80

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.01 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 550 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    74 mm vs 119 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.53x vs 0.46x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic FZ80 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
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Newer
    7 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
    18.1 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • 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
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • 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

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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
Panasonic FZ80
Sony DSLR-A380
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

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
Panasonic FZ80
Sony A33
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

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
Panasonic FZ80
Pentax K-r
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Fujifilm S1

Nikon D3100
Fujifilm S1
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
Panasonic FZ80
Fujifilm S1
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Slower slow-motion

Compared to Sony HX400V

Nikon D3100
Sony HX400V
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
Panasonic FZ80
Sony HX400V
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • NFC
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