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Nikon D3100 vs Olympus E-P3

Portability
68
Imaging
54
Features
59
Overall
56
Nikon D3100 front
 
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52

Nikon D3100 vs Olympus E-P3 Key Specs

Nikon D3100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Push to 12800)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 505g - 124 x 96 x 75mm
  • Announced December 2010
  • Succeeded the Nikon D3000
  • New Model is Nikon D3200
Olympus E-P3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 369g - 122 x 69 x 34mm
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-P2
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-P5
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Nikon D3100 vs Olympus E-P3 Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Nikon D3100 vs Olympus E-P3, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Nikon and Olympus. The resolution of the D3100 (14MP) and the E-P3 (12MP) is relatively similar but the D3100 (APS-C) and E-P3 (Four Thirds) use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The D3100 was released 7 months before the E-P3 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Nikon D3100 being a Compact SLR camera and the Olympus E-P3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise view of how the D3100 grades vs the E-P3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Olympus E-P3

 D3100 E-P3 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Nikon D3100

 E-P3 D3100 
IntroducedAugust 2011December 2010More recent by 7 months
Screen resolution614k230kSharper screen (+384k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon D3100 and Olympus E-P3

 D3100 E-P3 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Nikon D3100 vs Olympus E-P3 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon D3100 enjoys exterior measurements of 124mm x 96mm x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") and a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-P3 has specifications of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") along with a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D3100 vs Olympus E-P3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose during that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the D3100 compared to the E-P3.

Nikon D3100 vs Olympus E-P3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the D3100 and E-P3 is 68 and 86 respectively.

Nikon D3100 vs Olympus E-P3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Olympus E-P3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to visualise the difference between sensor measurements just by reading technical specs. The graphic below will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the D3100 and E-P3.

As you have seen, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The D3100 because of its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Nikon D3100 will deliver more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The older D3100 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Nikon D3100 vs Olympus E-P3 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Olympus E-P3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3100 vs Olympus E-P3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D3100
Portrait photography with Olympus E-P3
72
you can focus manually
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focusing
exports RAW files
low MP (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3100 Street photography advice
Olympus E-P3 Street photography advice
58
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
76
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
boasts focus by touch
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3100 Sports photography highlights
Olympus E-P3 Sports photography highlights
60
good megapixels (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
has phase detect autofocus
max fps low (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low MP (12 megapixels)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3100 Travel photography factors
Olympus E-P3 Travel photography factors
58
good megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
60
boasts focus by touch
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
low MP (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3100 Landscape photography details
Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography details
65
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
good megapixels (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
no Timelapse function
65
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
low MP (12MP)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3100 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-P3 as a Vlogging camera
27
features face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
no microphone socket
35
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic support
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Nikon D3100 vs Olympus E-P3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3100 and Olympus E-P3
 Nikon D3100Olympus PEN E-P3
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Olympus
Model Nikon D3100 Olympus PEN E-P3
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2010-12-21 2011-08-17
Physical type Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 2 TruePic VI
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 23.1 x 15.4mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 355.7mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3
Highest resolution 4608 x 3072 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Highest boosted ISO 12800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 35
Cross focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 309 107
Focal length multiplier 1.6 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 614k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (@ ISO 200)
Flash modes Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/200s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 505g (1.11 lbs) 369g (0.81 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 96 x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 67 51
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 20.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 10.1
DXO Low light score 919 536
Other
Battery life 550 images 330 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL14 BLS-5
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $565 $0