Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D3200

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

D3100 compared with D3200
NikonD3100NikonD3200
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2010May 2012
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor typeCMOSCMOS
Sensor dimensions23.1 × 15.4 mm23.2 × 15.4 mm
Effective resolution14.2 MP24.2 MP
Largest image4608 × 30726016 × 4000
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–3200100–6400
Sensor detail14.2 million effective and 14.8 million total pixels; Nikon DX format with approximately 1.5× lens focal-length equivalent; sensor-cleaning system and Image Dust Off reference dataJapan specifies 24.16 million effective and 24.72 million total pixels, rounded to 24.2 and 24.7 million; Nikon DX format with approximately 1.5× lens focal-length equivalent; sensor cleaning, Airflow Control System and Image Dust Off reference data
Image formatsNEF RAW, JPEG and simultaneous RAW plus JPEG; Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait and Landscape Picture Controls; in-camera RAW processing and retouching12-bit compressed NEF RAW, JPEG and simultaneous RAW plus JPEG; Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait and Landscape Picture Controls; in-camera RAW processing and retouching
ISO detailISO 100–3200 in one-stop steps; expanded ISO 6400 and 12800 equivalents; Auto ISOISO 100–6400 in one-stop steps; expanded ISO 12800 equivalent; Auto ISO. Movie sensitivity ISO 200–6400, expandable to 12800
Image processorEXPEED 2EXPEED 3
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountNikon F mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst3 fps4 fps
Lens detailAutofocus with AF-S and AF-I NIKKOR lenses; no body autofocus motor for screw-drive lenses. Other compatible AF lenses require manual focus. Non-CPU lenses work in manual exposure without metering; IX and F3AF lenses unsupported; electronic rangefinder requires maximum aperture f/5.6 or fasterAutofocus with AF-S and AF-I NIKKOR lenses; no body autofocus motor for screw-drive lenses. Other compatible AF lenses require manual focus. Non-CPU lenses work in manual exposure without metering; IX and F3AF lenses unsupported; electronic rangefinder requires maximum aperture f/5.6 or faster
AutofocusMulti-CAM 1000; 11 phase-detection points including one cross-type; -1 to +19 EV at ISO 100, 20°C; AF-S/AF-C/AF-A, single-point, dynamic, auto-area and 11-point 3D tracking; AF-assist lamp. Live view uses contrast-detection AF-S/AF-F with face-priority, wide, normal and subject-tracking areasMulti-CAM 1000; 11 phase-detection points including one cross-type; -1 to +19 EV at ISO 100, 20°C; AF-S/AF-C/AF-A, single-point, dynamic, auto-area and 11-point 3D tracking; AF-assist lamp. Live view uses contrast-detection AF-S/AF-F with face-priority, wide, normal and subject-tracking areas
Shutter1/4000 to 30 seconds in one-third stops and Bulb; flash sync 1/200 second1/4000 to 30 seconds in one-third stops and Bulb; Time requires optional ML-L3 remote; flash sync 1/200 second
Burst detailApproximately 3 fps under Nikon's manual-focus, S/M, 1/250-second-or-faster test conditions; Japanese specification lists up to 13 RAW, nine RAW plus Fine JPEG or 100 Fine JPEG frames with its specified 4 GB SanDisk Extreme SDHC cardApproximately 4 fps under Nikon's manual-focus, S/M, 1/250-second-or-faster test conditions; Japanese specification lists up to 18 RAW, ten RAW plus Fine JPEG or 80 Large/Fine JPEG frames with its specified 8 GB SanDisk Extreme Pro UHS-I SDHC card
Stabilisation detailOptical VR depends on the lens; no sensor-shift stabilisationOptical VR depends on the lens; no sensor-shift stabilisation
FlashBuilt-in pop-up flash; guide number approximately 12 m at ISO 100, 20°C, or 13 at manual full output; hot shoe; optional AS-15 adapter for PC syncBuilt-in pop-up flash; guide number approximately 12 m at ISO 100, 20°C, or 13 at manual full output; hot shoe; optional AS-15 adapter for PC sync
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M, Auto, flash-off Auto and scene modes; beginner Guide mode with illustrative assist images. 420-pixel RGB metering with Colour Matrix Metering II, centre-weighted and spot modes; ±5 EV compensation; Active D-Lighting on/offP/S/A/M, Auto, flash-off Auto and scene modes; beginner Guide mode with illustrative assist images. 420-pixel RGB metering with Colour Matrix Metering II, centre-weighted and spot modes; ±5 EV compensation; Active D-Lighting on/off
Video
Highest video resolution1920 × 1080 at 24 fps1920 × 1080 at 30 fps
Video detailH.264 MOV at Full HD 24p, 720p 30p/25p/24p or 640 × 424 at 24p; actual NTSC rates 29.97/23.976. Maximum clip ten minutes. Nikon USA's short movie feature list incorrectly describes 640 × 424 as 30 fps; its detailed table and Japan specify 24p. Continuous contrast-detection autofocus availableH.264 MOV at Full HD 30p/25p/24p, 720p 60p/50p or 640 × 424 at 30p/25p; actual NTSC rates 59.94/29.97/23.976. Maximum clip approximately 20 minutes; continuous contrast-detection autofocus available. Photography Blog's 24p-only Full HD description and Photo Review's 640 × 480 table differ from Nikon's technical sheet
AudioBuilt-in mono microphone with linear PCM recording; no external microphone inputBuilt-in mono microphone, external stereo microphone supported through 3.5 mm input; adjustable sensitivity and linear PCM recording. Photography Blog's description of a built-in stereo microphone differs from Nikon's mono specification
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size3″3″
Screen dots230,000921,000
Display detailFixed 3-inch TFT, approximately 230000 dots, adjustable brightness; dots count subpixelsFixed 3-inch TFT, approximately 921000 dots globally, rounded to 920000 in Japan; 160° viewing angle and approximately 100% coverage; dots count subpixels
Viewfinder detailPentamirror; approximately 95% frame coverage, 0.8× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity and 18 mm eyepointPentamirror; approximately 95% frame coverage, 0.8× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity and 18 mm eyepoint
Connections and design
Battery life (maker's claim)550 photographs540 photographs
Body weight455 g455 g
Release detailNikon Japan records sale on 16 September 2010 for the body, single-lens and double-zoom kitsNikon Japan records sale on 24 May 2012; the US announcement planned late-April kit availability, without confirming an actual retail day. Main date is the confirmed Japanese retail date. Nikon's global announcement explicitly calls D3200 the successor to D3100
Recording mediaOne SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot; compatible Eye-Fi cards supportedOne SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot, with UHS-I support for SDHC/SDXC; MMC unsupported
PortsHi-Speed USB, mini-HDMI Type C, NTSC/PAL analogue video output and accessory terminal for optional MC-DC2 remote or GP-1 GPSHi-Speed USB, mini-HDMI Type C, NTSC/PAL analogue video output, 3.5 mm stereo microphone input and accessory terminal for optional MC-DC2 remote or GP-1 GPS; optional ML-L3 infrared remote
Wireless connectionsNo integrated Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or GPS; optional GP-1 GPS and compatible Eye-Fi card accessoriesNo integrated Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or GPS; optional WU-1a wireless mobile adapter transfers images and supports remote shooting; optional GP-1 GPS
Battery life detailEN-EL14; approximately 550 CIPA photographs. Nikon USA's later page also lists EN-EL14a compatibilityEN-EL14; approximately 540 CIPA single-frame photographs or 1800 continuous photographs under Nikon's different test. Original manual CIPA test uses 23°C, AF-S DX 18–55mm VR and alternate-shot flash, without live view
ChargingExternal MH-24 charger; optional EH-5a adapter with EP-5A power connectorExternal MH-24 charger; optional EH-5b adapter with EP-5A power connector
DimensionsApproximately 124 × 96 × 74.5 mm from Nikon Japan; Nikon USA's converted inch figures differ slightlyApproximately 125 × 96 × 76.5 mm
Weight detailApproximately 455 g body only or 505 g with battery and SD card, excluding body capApproximately 455 g body only or 505 g with battery and SD card, excluding body cap
Colours–Black or red
In the boxEN-EL14 battery, MH-24 charger, DK-5 eyepiece cap, DK-20 eyecup, AN-DC3 strap, BF-1B body cap, BS-1 shoe cover, ViewNX 2 CD-ROM and two ferrite cores for separately supplied USB/audio-video cablesEN-EL14 battery, MH-24 charger, UC-E17 USB cable, EG-CP14 audio-video cable, AN-DC3 strap, BF-1B body cap, BS-1 shoe cover, DK-5 eyepiece cap, DK-20 eyecup and ViewNX 2 CD-ROM

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