Nikon D3100 vs Canon EOS M

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

Manufacturing

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

Type of camera

Nikon D3100 is a DSLR camera while Canon EOS M is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D3100 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Canon EOS M has a "Canon APS-C"-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 M has 18 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Canon EOS M has a 27 % 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.

Autofocus and lens compatibility

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

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS M belongs to the Canon EOS M-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS M

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3100
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS M

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 M can shoot up to 4,3 pictures per seconds.

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D3100 and Canon EOS M 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.

Nikon D3100 weighs 505 gr (equal to 1.11 lb) which is 69% heavier than Canon EOS M and its 298 gr (or 0.66 lb).

Nikon D3100 vs Canon EOS M Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D3100 and Canon EOS M, 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 M
Name	Nikon D3100	Canon EOS M
Manufacturer	Nikon	Canon
Release Date and Price	Nikon D3100	Canon EOS M
Release Year	2010	2012
Release Date	2010-08-19	2012-07-23
MSRP	699 USD	799 USD
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Camera Type	Nikon D3100	Canon EOS M
Camera Type	DSLR	Mirrorless
Sensor	Nikon D3100	Canon EOS M
Sensor Size	APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX"	APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type	CMOS	CMOS
Resolution	4608 x 3072 pixels	5184 x 3456 pixels
Megapixels	14,2 MP	18 MP
Image Processor	EXPEED 2	DIGIC 5
Image	Nikon D3100	Canon EOS M
ISO Range	100 - 12800	100 - 12800
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 M
Autofocus Motor	No	Yes
Autofocus	Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView	Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView
Focus Points	11	31
Lens Mount	Nikon F See Compatible Lenses	Canon EF-M 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	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
Screen & Viewfinder	Nikon D3100	Canon EOS M
Articulated LCD	Fixed	Fixed
Screen size	3”	3”
Screen dots	230000	1040000
Touch screen	No	Yes
Screen type	TFT LCD monitor	Clear View II TFT LCD
Live view	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder Type	Optical (pentamirror)	No Viewfinder
Viewfinder Coverage	95%
Viewfinder Magnification	0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution	N/A	0
Photography features	Nikon D3100	Canon EOS M
Frames per second	3 fps	4,3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed	30 seconds	60 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed	1/4000 seconds	1/4000 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	No
Metering modes	Multi Center Weighted Average	Multi Center Weighted Spot Partial
Exposure Compensation	+/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps)	+/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features	Nikon D3100	Canon EOS M
Video recording	Yes	Yes
Video format	MPEG4	MPEG4 H.264
Video resolution	1280 x 720 1920 x 1080	1280 x 720 1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone	Yes	Yes
Built-in Speakers	No	Yes
Storage	Nikon D3100	Canon EOS M
Memory Card	SD/SDHC	SD/SDHC
Connectivity	Nikon D3100	Canon EOS M
HDMI Output	Yes	Yes
Microphone Port	No	No
Headphone Port	No	No
Wireless	Yes Eye-Fi Connected	Yes Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control	Optional	No
GPS	Yes Optional	Yes Optional via GP-E2
Body & Dimensions	Nikon D3100	Canon EOS M
Enviromentally sealed	No	No
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger	Lithium-Ion LP-E12 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	N/A	230 shots
Width	124 mm	109 mm
Height	96 mm	66 mm
Depth	75 mm	32 mm
Weight	505 gram	298 gram