Nikon D3100 vs Nikon Z7

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3100 and Nikon Z7. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D3100 were released 2010 and Nikon Z7 was released 2018. That is a 8 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D3100 2010
Nikon Z7 2018

Type of camera

Nikon D3100 is a DSLR camera while Nikon Z7 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 Nikon Z7 has a "Nikon FX"-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 **
Nikon D3100 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon Z7 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** 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 D3100 has a 14,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon Z7 has 46 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D3100 14,2 MP
14155776 pixels
4608 x 3072
Nikon Z7 46 MP
45441024 pixels
8256 x 5504

Nikon Z7 has a 221 % 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

Nikon Z7 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3100. Nikon Z7 has an ISO range that stretches from 64 to 25600 while Nikon D3100 has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D3100 100-12800
Nikon Z7 64-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon Z7 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 Nikon Z7

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 Nikon Z7 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D3100 3
Nikon Z7 9

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D3100 and Nikon Z7 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 Z7 weighs 675 gr (equal to 1.49 lb) which is 34% heavier than Nikon D3100 and its 505 gr (or 1.11 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D3100 505 gr
1.11 lb
Nikon Z7 675 gr
1.49 lb

Nikon D3100 vs Nikon Z7 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D3100 and Nikon Z7, 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
Nikon Z7
Name Nikon D3100 Nikon Z7
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D3100
Nikon Z7
Release Year 2010 2018
Release Date 2010-08-19 2018-08-23
MSRP 699 USD 3399 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D3100
Nikon Z7
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Nikon D3100
Nikon Z7
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4608 x 3072 pixels 8256 x 5504 pixels
Megapixels 14,2 MP 46 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 2 EXPEED 6
Image
Nikon D3100
Nikon Z7
ISO Range 100 - 12800 64 - 25600
White Balance Presets 12 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
(Sensor Shift (5 axis))
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 5 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D3100
Nikon Z7
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
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 11 493
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon Z

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
FX (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
Nikon Z7
Articulated LCD Fixed Tilting
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 230000 2100000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type TFT LCD monitor TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) 0.8x
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 3690000
Photography features
Nikon D3100
Nikon Z7
Frames per second 3 fps 9 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
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D3100
Nikon Z7
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Nikon D3100
Nikon Z7
Memory Card SD/SDHC
XQD
Connectivity
Nikon D3100
Nikon Z7
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Optional
Yes (via MC-DC2 or smartphone)
GPS Yes
Optional
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D3100
Nikon Z7
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL15b lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) N/A 330 shots
Width 124 mm 134 mm
Height 96 mm 101 mm
Depth 75 mm 68 mm
Weight 505 gram 675 gram