Nikon D3100 vs Canon EOS 550D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3100 and Canon EOS 550D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D3100 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 550D is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2010.

Camera Released
Nikon D3100 2010
Canon EOS 550D 2010

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D3100 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Canon EOS 550D has a "Canon APS-C"-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 **
Nikon D3100 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS 550D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** 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 (Nikon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon D3100 has a 14,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 550D has 18,7 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D3100 14,2 MP
14155776 pixels
4608 x 3072
Canon EOS 550D 18,7 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456

Canon EOS 550D has a 27 % 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
Nikon D3100 100-12800
Canon EOS 550D 100-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS 550D 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 Nikon D3100
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 550D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D3100 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 550D can shoot up to 3,7 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D3100 3
Canon EOS 550D 3,7

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D3100 and Canon EOS 550D 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.

Canon EOS 550D weighs 510 gr (equal to 1.12 lb) which is 1% heavier than Nikon D3100 and its 505 gr (or 1.11 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D3100 505 gr
1.11 lb
Canon EOS 550D 510 gr
1.12 lb

Nikon D3100 vs Canon EOS 550D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D3100 and Canon EOS 550D, 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
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 550D
Name Nikon D3100 Canon EOS 550D
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 550D
Release Year 2010 2010
Release Date 2010-08-19 2010-02-08
MSRP 699 USD 899 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 550D
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 550D
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4608 x 3072 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels
Megapixels 14,2 MP 18,7 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 2 DIGIC 4
Image
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 550D
ISO Range 100 - 12800 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 12 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 550D
Autofocus Motor No Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 11 9
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
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
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 550D
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 230000 1040000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT LCD monitor TFT color liquid-crystal LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 550D
Frames per second 3 fps 3,7 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters 13 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 550D
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 550D
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 550D
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Optional
Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed)
GPS Yes
Optional
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D3100
Canon EOS 550D
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E8 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) N/A N/A
Width 124 mm 129 mm
Height 96 mm 98 mm
Depth 75 mm 62 mm
Weight 505 gram 510 gram