Canon EOS 500D vs Nikon D3100

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 500D and Nikon D3100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 500D is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D3100 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS 500D were released 2009 and Nikon D3100 was released 2010. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 500D 2009
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 500D 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 500D 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 500D 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 500D 15,1 MP
15054336 pixels
4752 x 3168
Nikon D3100 14,2 MP
14155776 pixels
4608 x 3072

Canon EOS 500D 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 500D 100-12800
Nikon D3100 100-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS 500D 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 500D
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 500D can shoot up to 3,4 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3100 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 500D 3,4
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 500D 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.

Canon EOS 500D weighs 520 gr (equal to 1.15 lb) which is 3% heavier than Nikon D3100 and its 505 gr (or 1.11 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 500D 520 gr
1.15 lb
Nikon D3100 505 gr
1.11 lb

Canon EOS 500D vs Nikon D3100 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 500D 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 500D
Nikon D3100
Name Canon EOS 500D Nikon D3100
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 500D
Nikon D3100
Release Year 2009 2010
Release Date 2009-03-25 2010-08-19
MSRP 1599 USD 699 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 500D
Nikon D3100
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 500D
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 500D
Nikon D3100
ISO Range 100 - 12800 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 500D
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 500D
Nikon D3100
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 920000 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT color LCD TFT LCD monitor
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.) 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 500D
Nikon D3100
Frames per second 3,4 fps 3 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 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 500D
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 No No
Storage
Canon EOS 500D
Nikon D3100
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS 500D
Nikon D3100
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed) Optional
GPS No Yes
Optional
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 500D
Nikon D3100
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E5 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 440 shots N/A
Width 129 mm 124 mm
Height 98 mm 96 mm
Depth 62 mm 75 mm
Weight 520 gram 505 gram