Canon EOS M3 vs Nikon D3100

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS M3 and Nikon D3100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS M3 is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D3100 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS M3 were released 2015 and Nikon D3100 was released 2010. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS M3 2015
Nikon D3100 2010

Type of camera

Canon EOS M3 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D3100 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS M3 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 M3 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 M3 has a 24 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 M3 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Nikon D3100 14,2 MP
14155776 pixels
4608 x 3072

Canon EOS M3 has a 70 % 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 M3 100-12800
Nikon D3100 100-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS M3 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.

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS M3 belongs to the Canon EOS M-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS M

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS M3
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 M3 can shoot up to 4,2 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3100 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS M3 4,2
Nikon D3100 3

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Canon EOS M3 and Nikon D3100 can shoot movies.

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.

Nikon D3100 weighs 505 gr (equal to 1.11 lb) which is 38% heavier than Canon EOS M3 and its 366 gr (or 0.81 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS M3 366 gr
0.81 lb
Nikon D3100 505 gr
1.11 lb

Canon EOS M3 vs Nikon D3100 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS M3 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 M3
Nikon D3100
Name Canon EOS M3 Nikon D3100
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D3100
Release Year 2015 2010
Release Date 2015-02-06 2010-08-19
MSRP 679 USD 699 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D3100
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS M3
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 6000 x 4000 pixels 4608 x 3072 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 14,2 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 6 EXPEED 2
Image
Canon EOS M3
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 M3
Nikon D3100
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 49 11
Lens Mount Canon EF-M

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 M3
Nikon D3100
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1040000 230000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type ClearView II TFT-LCD TFT LCD monitor
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic (Optional via Canon EVF-DC2) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D3100
Frames per second 4,2 fps 3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 0 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/0 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 5 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D3100
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
MPEG4
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D3100
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D3100
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n with NFC)
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (via smartphone) Optional
GPS No Yes
Optional
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D3100
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details LP-E17 lithium-ion battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 250 shots N/A
Width 111 mm 124 mm
Height 68 mm 96 mm
Depth 44 mm 75 mm
Weight 366 gram 505 gram