Canon EOS 50D vs Nikon D3100

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 50D and Nikon D3100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 50D is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D3100 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS 50D were released 2008 and Nikon D3100 was released 2010. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 50D 2008
Nikon D3100 2010

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 50D has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D3100 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS 50D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Nikon D3100 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Canon EOS 50D has a 15,1 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3100 has 14,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 50D 15,1 MP
15054336 pixels
4752 x 3168
Nikon D3100 14,2 MP
14155776 pixels
4608 x 3072

Canon EOS 50D has a 6 % larger resolution than Nikon D3100. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 50D 100-12800
Nikon D3100 100-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS 50D has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D3100 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D3100 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 50D
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3100

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 50D can shoot up to 6,3 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3100 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 50D 6,3
Nikon D3100 3

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Nikon D3100. Sadly, the Canon EOS 50D does not support this.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS 50D weighs 822 gr (equal to 1.81 lb) which is 63% heavier than Nikon D3100 and its 505 gr (or 1.11 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 50D 822 gr
1.81 lb
Nikon D3100 505 gr
1.11 lb

Canon EOS 50D vs Nikon D3100 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 50D and Nikon D3100, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D3100
Name Canon EOS 50D Nikon D3100
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D3100
Release Year 2008 2010
Release Date 2008-08-26 2010-08-19
MSRP 1399 USD 699 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D3100
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D3100
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4752 x 3168 pixels 4608 x 3072 pixels
Megapixels 15,1 MP 14,2 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 4 EXPEED 2
Image
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D3100
ISO Range 100 - 12800 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D3100
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 11
Lens Mount Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D3100
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 920000 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT liquid-crystal color LCD TFT LCD monitor
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.95× (0.59× 35mm equiv.) 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D3100
Frames per second 6,3 fps 3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 13 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D3100
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D3100
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D3100
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (N3 connector) Optional
GPS No Yes
Optional
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D3100
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion BP-511A rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 800 shots N/A
Width 146 mm 124 mm
Height 108 mm 96 mm
Depth 74 mm 75 mm
Weight 822 gram 505 gram