Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D3100

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3000 and Nikon D3100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Nikon D3000

Nikon D3100

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D3000 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
Nikon D3000	2009
Nikon D3100	2010

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Nikon DX") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera	Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D3000	75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
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 (Nikon)

Resolution

Nikon D3000 has a 10,2 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
Nikon D3000	10,2 MP 10036224 pixels 3872 x 2592
Nikon D3100	14,2 MP 14155776 pixels 4608 x 3072

Nikon D3100 has a 41 % larger resolution than Nikon D3000. 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

Nikon D3100 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3000. Nikon D3100 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D3000 has 100 to 3200.

Camera	ISO Range
Nikon D3000	100-3200
Nikon D3100	100-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Neither of these two cameras has a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that supports autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own, and often they rely on the cameras providing this autofocus motor but since these two camera models do not have this either it will result in no autofocus is possible.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3000
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. Nikon D3000 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3100 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D3000	3
Nikon D3100	3

Ability to record movies

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

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Nikon D3100. Sadly, the Nikon D3000 does not support this.

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 D3000 weighs 536 gr (equal to 1.18 lb) which is 6% heavier than Nikon D3100 and its 505 gr (or 1.11 lb).

Camera	Weight
Nikon D3000	536 gr 1.18 lb
Nikon D3100	505 gr 1.11 lb