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Canon T7 vs Nikon D3100

The Canon EOS Rebel T7 (called Canon 2000D in some regions) and the Nikon D3100 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in February 2018 and August 2010. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 24 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 14.2 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Canon T7
versus
Nikon D3100
Canon T7   Nikon D3100
Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
Canon EF mount lenses Nikon F mount lenses
24 MP – APS-C sensor 14.2 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/30p Video 1080/24p Video
ISO 100-6,400 (100 - 12,800) ISO 100-3,200 (100 - 12,800)
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 920k dots 3.0" LCD – 230k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
3 shutter flaps per second 3 shutter flaps per second
500 shots per battery charge550 shots per battery charge
129 x 101 x 78 mm, 475 g 124 x 96 x 75 mm, 505 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS Rebel T7 and the Nikon D3100? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon T7 and the Nikon D3100. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The D3100 can be obtained in two different colors (black, red), while the T7 is only available in black.

Size Canon T7 vs Nikon D3100
Compare T7 versus D3100 top
Comparison T7 or D3100 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon D3100 is notably smaller (9 percent) than the Canon T7. However, the D3100 is markedly heavier (6 percent) than the T7. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the T7 nor the D3100 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Yet, since both cameras are based around an APS-C sensor, their respective lenses will tend to have similar dimensions and heft. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Canon EF Lens Catalog (T7) and the Nikon Lens Catalog (D3100).

Concerning battery life, the T7 gets 500 shots out of its Canon LP-E10 battery, while the D3100 can take 550 images on a single charge of its Nikon EN-EL14 power pack.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon T7 129 mm 101 mm 78 mm 475 g 500 n Feb 2018 449 amazon.com
2.
 
Nikon D3100 124 mm 96 mm 75 mm 505 g 550 n Aug 2010 599ebay.com
3.
 
Canon SL3 122 mm 93 mm 70 mm 449 g 1070 n Apr 2019 599 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon T100 129 mm 102 mm 77 mm 436 g 500 n Feb 2018 399 amazon.com
5.
 
Canon 77D 131 mm 100 mm 76 mm 540 g 600 n Feb 2017 899ebay.com
6.
 
Canon SL2 122 mm 93 mm 70 mm 453 g 650 n Jun 2017 549ebay.com
7.
 
Canon T7i 131 mm 100 mm 76 mm 532 g 600 n Feb 2017 749ebay.com
8.
 
Canon T6 129 mm 101 mm 78 mm 485 g 500 n Mar 2016 449ebay.com
9.
 
Canon T6i 132 mm 101 mm 78 mm 555 g 440 n Feb 2015 749ebay.com
10.
 
Canon T6s 132 mm 101 mm 78 mm 565 g 440 n Feb 2015 649ebay.com
11.
 
Canon T5 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 480 g 500 n Feb 2014 449ebay.com
12.
 
Canon T3 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 495 g 700 n Feb 2011 449ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D3200 125 mm 96 mm 77 mm 505 g 540 n Apr 2012 599ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D5100 128 mm 97 mm 79 mm 560 g 660 n Apr 2011 749ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon D7000 132 mm 105 mm 77 mm 780 g 1050 Y Sep 2010 1,499ebay.com
16.
 
Nikon D3000 126 mm 97 mm 64 mm 536 g 500 n Jul 2009 599ebay.com
17.
 
Nikon D5000 127 mm 104 mm 80 mm 590 g 510 n Apr 2009 749ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The T7 was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 25 percent) than the D3100, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the D3100 is 7 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have format factors, respectively, of 1.6 (T7) and 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Canon T7 and Nikon D3100 sensor measures

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Canon T7 offers a higher resolution of 24 megapixels, compared with 14.2 MP of the Nikon D3100. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 3.72μm versus 5.01μm for the D3100). However, it should be noted that the T7 is much more recent (by 7 years and 6 months) than the D3100, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently.

The resolution advantage of the Canon T7 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the T7 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon D3100 are 23 x 15.4 inches or 58.5 x 39 cm for good quality, 18.4 x 12.3 inches or 46.8 x 31.2 cm for very good quality, and 15.4 x 10.2 inches or 39 x 26 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon EOS Rebel T7 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400, which can be extended to ISO 100-12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon D3100 are ISO 100 to ISO 3200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-12800.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

T7 versus D3100 MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon T7 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p23.813.3168481
2.
 
Nikon D3100 APS-C 14.2 4608 30721080/24p22.511.391967
3.
 
Canon SL3 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/25p23.913.4179182
4.
 
Canon T100 APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.469563
5.
 
Canon 77D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.397178
6.
 
Canon SL2 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.4104179
7.
 
Canon T7i APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.713.1158680
8.
 
Canon T6 APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.011.778166
9.
 
Canon T6i APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.712.091971
10.
 
Canon T6s APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.612.091570
11.
 
Canon T5 APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.372463
12.
 
Canon T3 APS-C 12.2 4272 2848720/30p21.911.075562
13.
 
Nikon D3200 APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/30p24.113.2113181
14.
 
Nikon D5100 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.513.6118380
15.
 
Nikon D7000 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/24p23.513.9116780
16.
 
Nikon D3000 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.311.156362
17.
 
Nikon D5000 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.712.586872
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the T7 provides a higher frame rate than the D3100. It can shoot video footage at 1080/30p, while the Nikon is limited to 1080/24p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The T7 and the D3100 are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (95%), but the viewfinder of the D3100 has a higher magnification than the one of the T7 (0.53x vs 0.50x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon T7 and Nikon D3100 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Canon T7optical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
2.
 
Nikon D3100optical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
3.
 
Canon SL3optical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
4.
 
Canon T100optical n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
5.
 
Canon 77Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
6.
 
Canon SL2optical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
7.
 
Canon T7ioptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
8.
 
Canon T6optical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
9.
 
Canon T6ioptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
10.
 
Canon T6soptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
11.
 
Canon T5optical n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
12.
 
Canon T3optical n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
13.
 
Nikon D3200optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
14.
 
Nikon D5100optical n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
15.
 
Nikon D7000optical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
16.
 
Nikon D3000optical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
17.
 
Nikon D5000optical n2.7 / 230 full-flex n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the T7 and the D3100 write their files to SDXC cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS Rebel T7 and Nikon D3100 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon T7Ymono / mono--mini2.0YY-
2.
 
Nikon D3100Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
3.
 
Canon SL3Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y-Y
4.
 
Canon T100Ymono / mono--mini2.0YY-
5.
 
Canon 77DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
6.
 
Canon SL2Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
7.
 
Canon T7iYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
8.
 
Canon T6Ymono / mono--mini2.0YY-
9.
 
Canon T6iYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
10.
 
Canon T6sYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
11.
 
Canon T5Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
12.
 
Canon T3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
13.
 
Nikon D3200Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
14.
 
Nikon D5100Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
15.
 
Nikon D7000Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
16.
 
Nikon D3000Y- / ----2.0---
17.
 
Nikon D5000Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
padding

It is notable that the T7 offers wifi support, while the D3100 does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

The T7 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Canon. In contrast, the D3100 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the D3100 was succeeded by the Nikon D3200. Further information on the features and operation of the T7 and D3100 can be found, respectively, in the Canon T7 Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon D3100 Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Canon T7 better than the Nikon D3100 or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

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Advantages of the Canon EOS Rebel T7:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (24 vs 14.2MP) with a 30% higher linear resolution.
  • Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/30p versus 1080/24p).
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (920k vs 230k dots).
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced segment (25 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Reflects 7 years and 6 months of technical progress since the D3100 launch.

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Arguments in favor of the Nikon D3100:

  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.53x vs 0.50x).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in August 2010).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the T7 is the clear winner of the match-up (7 : 2 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

T7 07:02 D3100

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon T7 and the Nikon D3100 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the T7 or the D3100. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon T7..o3.5/5..3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2018 449 amazon.com
2.
 
Nikon D31005/5+ +..72/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2010 599ebay.com
3.
 
Canon SL34/5o4.5/579/1004/54/5 Apr 2019 599 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon T100..o3/5..3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2018 399 amazon.com
5.
 
Canon 77D4.5/5..4/582/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2017 899ebay.com
6.
 
Canon SL24/5+ +4/578/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2017 549ebay.com
7.
 
Canon T7i4.5/5..3.5/580/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2017 749ebay.com
8.
 
Canon T64/5o4/573/1004/54/5 Mar 2016 449ebay.com
9.
 
Canon T6i5/5....75/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 749ebay.com
10.
 
Canon T6s5/5+..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 649ebay.com
11.
 
Canon T53/5+....4/54.5/5 Feb 2014 449ebay.com
12.
 
Canon T3..80/100..69/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2011 449ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D32005/5+ +..73/1004.5/54.5/5 Apr 2012 599ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D51005/5+ +..76/1004.5/54.5/5 Apr 2011 749ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon D70004/5....80/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2010 1,499ebay.com
16.
 
Nikon D3000..+..72/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2009 599ebay.com
17.
 
Nikon D5000..+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Apr 2009 749ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications: Canon T7 vs Nikon D3100

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Canon T7 Nikon D3100
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Canon EF mount lenses Nikon F mount lenses
    Launch Date February 2018 August 2010
    Launch Price USD 449 USD 599
    Sensor Specs Canon T7 Nikon D3100
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 22.3 x 14.9 mm 23.1 x 15.4 mm
    Sensor Area 332.27 mm2 355.74 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 26.8 mm 27.8 mm
    Crop Factor 1.6x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 24 Megapixels 14.2 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 4608 x 3072 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 3.72 μm 5.01 μm
    Pixel Density 7.22 MP/cm2 3.98 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/30p Video 1080/24p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 6,400 ISO 100 - 3,200 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 12,800 ISO 100 - 12,800 ISO
    Image Processor DIGIC 4+ EXPEED 2
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) .. 67
    DXO Color Depth (bits) .. 22.5
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) .. 11.3
    DXO Low Light (ISO) .. 919
    Screen Specs Canon T7 Nikon D3100
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95% 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.50x 0.53x
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 920k dots 230k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Canon T7 Nikon D3100
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 3 shutter flaps/s 3 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations100 000 actuations
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no no
    Connectivity Specs Canon T7 Nikon D3100
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI mini HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in no Wifi
    Near-Field Communication NFC built-in no NFC
    Body Specs Canon T7 Nikon D3100
    Battery Type Canon LP-E10 Nikon EN-EL14
    Battery Life (CIPA)500 shots per charge550 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 129 x 101 x 78 mm
    (5.1 x 4.0 x 3.1 in)
    124 x 96 x 75 mm
    (4.9 x 3.8 x 3.0 in)
    Camera Weight 475 g (16.8 oz) 505 g (17.8 oz)
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