Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Nikon D3100
This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Nikon D3100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Canon EOS 5D Mark III is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D3100 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.
Canon EOS 5D Mark III were released 2012 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 5D Mark III | 2012 |
| 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 5D Mark III has a "Canon Full Frame"-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 5D Mark III | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
| 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 5D Mark III has a 22,3 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 5D Mark III |
22,3 MP
22118400 pixels 5760 x 3840 |
| Nikon D3100 |
14,2 MP
14155776 pixels 4608 x 3072 |
Canon EOS 5D Mark III has a 56 % 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
Canon EOS 5D Mark III has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3100. Canon EOS 5D Mark III has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon D3100 has 100 to 12800.
| Camera | ISO Range |
| Canon EOS 5D Mark III | 100-25600 |
| Nikon D3100 | 100-12800 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS 5D Mark III 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 5D Mark III
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 5D Mark III can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3100 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.
| Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
| Canon EOS 5D Mark III | 6 |
| 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 5D Mark III 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 5D Mark III weighs 950 gr (equal to 2.09 lb) which is 88% heavier than Nikon D3100 and its 505 gr (or 1.11 lb).
| Camera | Weight |
| Canon EOS 5D Mark III | 950 gr 2.09 lb |
| Nikon D3100 | 505 gr 1.11 lb |
Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Nikon D3100 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 5D Mark III 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 5D Mark III |
Nikon D3100 |
| Name | Canon EOS 5D Mark III | Nikon D3100 |
| Manufacturer | Canon | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Canon EOS 5D Mark III |
Nikon D3100 |
| Release Year | 2012 | 2010 |
| Release Date | 2012-03-02 | 2010-08-19 |
| MSRP | 3499 USD | 699 USD |
| Buy it today |
|
|
Camera Type |
Canon EOS 5D Mark III |
Nikon D3100 |
| Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Canon EOS 5D Mark III |
Nikon D3100 |
| Sensor Size | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) |
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX" |
| Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Resolution | 5760 x 3840 pixels | 4608 x 3072 pixels |
| Megapixels | 22,3 MP | 14,2 MP |
| Image Processor | DIGIC 5+ | EXPEED 2 |
Image |
Canon EOS 5D Mark III |
Nikon D3100 |
| ISO Range | 100 - 25600 | 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 5D Mark III |
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 | 61 | 11 |
| Lens Mount |
Canon EF See Compatible Lenses |
Nikon F See Compatible Lenses |
| Focal Length Multiplier |
Full frame No multiplier Example: 24 mm remains 24 mm 50 mm remains 50 mm 100 mm remains 100 mm 200 mm remains 200 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 5D Mark III |
Nikon D3100 |
| Articulated LCD | Fixed | Fixed |
| Screen size | 3,2” | 3” |
| Screen dots | 1040000 | 230000 |
| Touch screen | No | No |
| Screen type | Clear View II TFT LCD | TFT LCD monitor |
| Live view | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 95% |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.71× | 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) |
| Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Canon EOS 5D Mark III |
Nikon D3100 |
| Frames per second | 6 fps | 3 fps |
| Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Built-in Flash | No | Yes |
| Built-in Flash Range | N/A | 12 meters |
| External Flash | Yes | Yes |
| Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
| Time-lapse | Yes | No |
| Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot Partial |
Multi Center Weighted Average |
| Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Canon EOS 5D Mark III |
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 5D Mark III |
Nikon D3100 |
| Memory Card |
Compact Flash SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Canon EOS 5D Mark III |
Nikon D3100 |
| HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Port | Yes | No |
| Headphone Port | Yes | No |
| Wireless |
Yes Optional with Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E7
|
Yes Eye-Fi Connected |
| Remote Control |
Yes (Remote control with N3 type contact, Wireless Controller LC-5, Remote Controller RC-6)
|
Optional
|
| GPS |
Yes Optional with GP-E2 unit
|
Yes Optional
|
Body & Dimensions |
Canon EOS 5D Mark III |
Nikon D3100 |
| Enviromentally sealed | Yes | No |
| Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
|
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 950 shots | N/A |
| Width | 152 mm | 124 mm |
| Height | 116 mm | 96 mm |
| Depth | 76 mm | 75 mm |
| Weight | 950 gram | 505 gram |