Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D3100

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D3000 and the Nikon D3100, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Nikon D3000 was introduced in December 2009 and Nikon D3100 was introduced in December 2010. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D3000 over Nikon D3100.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D3100 over Nikon D3000.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Nikon D3000 and Nikon D3100 have 3.0" Fixed screens with 230k dot resolution.

Viewfinder

Cameras have built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinders. They both have 95% coverage and 0.80x (0.53x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

Nikon D3000 features a 10.2 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.6 x 15.8 mm and a total area of 372.9 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600 and expands to 100 - 3,200 in boosted mode. Nikon D3100 features a 14 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.1 x 15.4 mm and a total area of 237.2 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200 and expands to 100 - 12,800 in boosted mode.

Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

Sensor size chart

	Sensor	Dimensions	Area	Aspect Ratio	Crop Factor
	Medium Format	44 x 33 mm	1452 mm2	4:3	0.79x
	Full Frame	36 x 24 mm	864 mm2	3:2	1x
	APS-H	27 x 18 mm	486 mm2	3:2	1.3x
	APS-C	23.6 x 15.6 mm	368.2 mm2	3:2	1.5x
	APS-C (Canon)	22.3 x 14.9 mm	332.3 mm2	3:2	1.6x
	Micro Four Thirds	17.4 x 13 mm	226.2 mm2	4:3	2x
	1-inch	13.2 x 8.8 mm	116.2 mm2	3:2	2.7x
	1/1.7-inch	7.44 x 5.58 mm	41.5 mm2	4:3	4.7x
	1/2.3-inch	6.17 x 4.55 mm	28.1 mm2	4:3	5.6x

Nikon D3000 is equipped with EXPEED processor and can take pictures up to 3872 x 2592 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 2896 x 1944, 1936 x 1296 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Nikon D3100 is equipped with EXPEED 2 processor and can take pictures up to 4608 x 3072 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3456 x 2304, 2304 x 1536 with 3:2 aspect ratios.

Lens Mount

Cameras have Nikon F lens mount. Due to their APS-C sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.

No Image Stabilization

The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Nikon D3000 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D3100 nothing can be done. On Nikon D3100 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D3000 nothing can be done.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.

Battery

Nikon D3000 comes with EN-EL9a battery pack with battery life of 500 shots and Nikon D3100 comes with EN-EL14 battery pack with battery life of 550 shots.

External Storage Slots

Cameras have a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

Shutter

Nikon D3000 and Nikon D3100 have Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane. shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon D3000, and up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon D3100. Cameras can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps.

Focusing

Nikon D3000 has 11 focusing points and Nikon D3100 has 11 (1 cross-type) focusing points. Nikon D3100 has detection range from -1 to +19 EV.

Exposure

Exposure meterings of Nikon D3100 ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Nikon D3000 and ±5 EV range on Nikon D3100. You can also do exposure lock and manual exposure adjustment on both models.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m at ISO 100.. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe with sync and data contacts and safety lock to Nikon D3100. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on both cameras.

Nikon D3000 body has dimensions of 126 x 97 x 64 mm (4.96 x 3.82 x 2.52") and Nikon D3100 body has dimensions of 124 x 96 x 75 mm (4.88 x 3.78 x 2.95"). Nikon D3000 weighs 536 g (1.18 lb / 18.91 oz) and Nikon D3100 weighs 505 g (1.11 lb / 17.81 oz).

Nikon D3000

Nikon D3100

126 mm

97 mm

124 mm

96 mm

97 mm

96 mm

64 mm

75 mm