Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D3200

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D3100 and the Nikon D3200, 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 D3100 was introduced in December 2010 and Nikon D3200 was introduced in July 2012. 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 D3100 over Nikon D3200.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D3200 over Nikon D3100.

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 D3100 and Nikon D3200 have 3.0" Fixed screens with 230k dot and 921k dot resolutions respectively.

Viewfinder

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

Nikon D3100 features a 14 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.1 x 15.4 mm and a total area of 355.7 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200 and expands to 100 - 12,800 in boosted mode. Nikon D3200 features a 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.2 x 15.4 mm and a total area of 237.2 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400 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 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. Nikon D3200 is equipped with EXPEED 3 processor and can take pictures up to 6016 x 4000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4512 x 3000, 3008 x 2000 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 D3100 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D3200 nothing can be done. On Nikon D3200 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D3100 nothing can be done.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Nikon D3100 has a Mini Type C HDMI and Nikon D3200 has a Mini Type C HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Nikon D3100 and Nikon D3200 come with EN-EL14 battery pack with battery life of 550 shots on Nikon D3100 and with battery life of 540 shots on Nikon D3200.

External Storage Slots

Nikon D3100 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot. Nikon D3200 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slot.

Shutter

Nikon D3100 and Nikon D3200 have Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane. shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon D3100, and up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon D3200. Nikon D3100 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps. Nikon D3200 can shoot continuously up to 4.0 fps.

Focusing

Nikon D3100 has 11 (1 cross-type) focusing points and Nikon D3200 has 11 (1 cross-type) focusing points. They both have detection range from -1 to +19 EV

Exposure

Both cameras' exposure metering ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range. 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 and via Hot Shoe to Nikon D3200. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on both cameras.

Nikon D3100 body has dimensions of 124 x 96 x 75 mm (4.88 x 3.78 x 2.95") and Nikon D3200 body has dimensions of 125 x 96 x 77 mm (4.92 x 3.78 x 3.03") and they both weigh 505 g (1.11 lb / 17.81 oz).

Nikon D3100

Nikon D3200

124 mm

96 mm

125 mm

96 mm

96 mm

96 mm

75 mm

77 mm