Nikon D3100 vs Canon EOS 5D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3100 and Canon EOS 5D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D3100 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 5D is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

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 5D has a "Canon Full Frame"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

** 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 5D has 12,7 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Nikon D3100 has a 11 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 5D. 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 Canon EOS 5D. Nikon D3100 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Canon EOS 5D has 50 to 3200.

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS 5D 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 5D

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 5D can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Ability to record movies

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

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Nikon D3100. Unfortunately Canon EOS 5D does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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 weighs 895 gr (equal to 1.97 lb) which is 77% heavier than Nikon D3100 and its 505 gr (or 1.11 lb).

Nikon D3100 vs Canon EOS 5D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D3100 and Canon EOS 5D, 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 5D
Name	Nikon D3100	Canon EOS 5D
Manufacturer	Nikon	Canon
Release Date and Price	Nikon D3100	Canon EOS 5D
Release Year	2010	2005
Release Date	2010-08-19	2005-08-22
MSRP	699 USD	3299 USD
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Camera Type	Nikon D3100	Canon EOS 5D
Camera Type	DSLR	DSLR
Sensor	Nikon D3100	Canon EOS 5D
Sensor Size	APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX"	Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type	CMOS	CMOS
Resolution	4608 x 3072 pixels	4368 x 2912 pixels
Megapixels	14,2 MP	12,7 MP
Image Processor	EXPEED 2	DIGIC 2
Image	Nikon D3100	Canon EOS 5D
ISO Range	100 - 12800	50 - 3200
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 5D
Autofocus Motor	No	Yes
Autofocus	Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView	Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous
Focus Points	11	9
Lens Mount	Nikon F See Compatible Lenses	Canon EF 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	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
Screen & Viewfinder	Nikon D3100	Canon EOS 5D
Articulated LCD	Fixed	Fixed
Screen size	3”	2,5”
Screen dots	230000	230000
Touch screen	No	No
Screen type	TFT LCD monitor	TFT liquid-crystal color LCD
Live view	Yes	No
Viewfinder Type	Optical (pentamirror)	Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage	95%	96%
Viewfinder Magnification	0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)	0.71×
Viewfinder Resolution	N/A	N/A
Photography features	Nikon D3100	Canon EOS 5D
Frames per second	3 fps	3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed	30 seconds	30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed	1/4000 seconds	1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash	Yes	No
Built-in Flash Range	12 meters	N/A
External Flash	Yes	Yes
Self-Timer	Yes	Yes
Time-lapse	No	Yes
Metering modes	Multi Center Weighted Average	Multi Center Weighted Spot
Exposure Compensation	+/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps)	+/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features	Nikon D3100	Canon EOS 5D
Video recording	Yes	No
Video format	MPEG4	N/A
Video resolution	1280 x 720 1920 x 1080	N/A
Built-in Microphone	Yes	No
Built-in Speakers	No	No
Storage	Nikon D3100	Canon EOS 5D
Memory Card	SD/SDHC	Compact Flash
Connectivity	Nikon D3100	Canon EOS 5D
HDMI Output	Yes	No
Microphone Port	No	No
Headphone Port	No	No
Wireless	Yes Eye-Fi Connected	No
Remote Control	Optional	Yes (N3 connector)
GPS	Yes Optional	No
Body & Dimensions	Nikon D3100	Canon EOS 5D
Enviromentally sealed	No	Yes
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger	Lithium-Ion BP-511A rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	N/A	400 shots
Width	124 mm	152 mm
Height	96 mm	113 mm
Depth	75 mm	75 mm
Weight	505 gram	895 gram