Fujifilm X100 vs Nikon D3400

The Fujifilm FinePix X100 and the Nikon D3400 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in September 2010 and August 2016. The X100 is a fixed lens compact, while the D3400 is a DSLR. Both cameras are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The Fujifilm has a resolution of 12.2 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 24 MP.

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

Headline Specifications

Fujifilm X100		Nikon D3400
Fixed lens compact camera		Digital single lens reflex
35mm f/2.0		Nikon F mount lenses
12.2 MP, APS-C Sensor		24 MP, APS-C Sensor
720/30p Video		1080/60p Video
ISO 200-6,400 (100 - 12,800)		ISO 100-25,600
Electronic viewfinder (1440k dots)		Optical viewfinder
2.8 LCD, 460k dots		3.0 LCD, 921k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
5 shutter flaps per second		5 shutter flaps per second
300 shots per battery charge		1200 shots per battery charge
126 x 75 x 54 mm, 445 g		124 x 98 x 76 mm, 445 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Fujifilm FinePix X100 and the Nikon D3400? 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.

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Fujifilm X100 and the Nikon D3400 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The D3400 can be obtained in two different colors (black, red), while the X100 is only available in black.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon D3400 is notably larger (29 percent) than the Fujifilm X100. Yet, the two cameras share the same weight. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the X100 nor the D3400 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the X100 has a lens built in, whereas the D3400 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the D3400 and their specifications in the Nikon Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the X100 gets 300 shots out of its NP-95 battery, while the D3400 can take 1200 images on a single charge of its EN-EL14a power pack.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, just click on the right or left arrow next to the camera that you would like to inspect. Alternatively, you can also use the CAM-parator to select your camera combination among a larger number of options.

Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life 1	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch 2	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
	Fujifilm X100	5.0 in	3.0 in	2.1 in	15.7 oz	300	n	Sep 2010	1,199
	Nikon D3400	4.9 in	3.9 in	3.0 in	15.7 oz	1200	n	Aug 2016	499
	Canon G1 X	4.6 in	3.2 in	2.6 in	18.8 oz	250	n	Jan 2012	799
	Fujifilm X100F	5.0 in	3.0 in	2.0 in	16.5 oz	390	n	Jan 2017	1,299
	Fujifilm X30	4.7 in	2.8 in	2.4 in	14.9 oz	470	n	Aug 2014	599
	Fujifilm X100T	5.0 in	2.9 in	2.0 in	15.5 oz	330	n	Sep 2014	1,299
	Fujifilm X100S	5.0 in	2.9 in	2.1 in	15.7 oz	330	n	Jan 2013	1,299
	Leica D-LUX Typ 109	4.6 in	2.6 in	2.2 in	14.3 oz	300	n	Sep 2014	1,195
	Nikon D3500	4.9 in	3.8 in	2.8 in	12.9 oz	1550	n	Aug 2018	429
	Nikon D5600	4.9 in	3.8 in	2.8 in	16.4 oz	970	n	Nov 2016	699
	Nikon D5500	4.9 in	3.8 in	2.8 in	14.8 oz	820	n	Jan 2015	899
	Nikon D3300	4.9 in	3.9 in	3.0 in	15.2 oz	700	n	Jan 2014	499
	Nikon D3200	4.9 in	3.8 in	3.0 in	17.8 oz	540	n	Apr 2012	599
	Nikon D3100	4.9 in	3.8 in	3.0 in	17.8 oz	550	n	Aug 2010	599
	Nikon D3000	5.0 in	3.8 in	2.5 in	18.9 oz	500	n	Jul 2009	599
	Panasonic LX100	4.5 in	2.6 in	2.2 in	13.9 oz	300	n	Sep 2014	899
	Sony NEX-7	4.7 in	2.6 in	1.7 in	14.1 oz	430	n	Aug 2011	1,349
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. (1) Number of images that can be taken on a full battery charge according to the CIPA-standard; (2) Official announcement.

Camera Model
Fujifilm X100
Nikon D3400
Canon G1 X
Fujifilm X100F
Fujifilm X30
Fujifilm X100T
Fujifilm X100S
Leica D-LUX Typ 109
Nikon D3500
Nikon D5600
Nikon D5500
Nikon D3300
Nikon D3200
Nikon D3100
Nikon D3000
Panasonic LX100
Sony NEX-7

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. 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 D3400 is 2 percent smaller. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Despite having a slightly smaller sensor, the D3400 offers a higher resolution of 24 megapixels, compared with 12.2 MP of the X100. 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 3.91μm versus 5.53μm for the X100). However, it should be noted that the D3400 is much more recent (by 5 years and 10 months) than the X100, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the D3400 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Nikon D3400 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the D3400 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 Fujifilm X100 are 21.4 x 14.2 inches or 54.5 x 36.2 cm for good quality, 17.2 x 11.4 inches or 43.6 x 28.9 cm for very good quality, and 14.3 x 9.5 inches or 36.3 x 24.1 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Fujifilm FinePix X100 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 6400, which can be extended to ISO 100-12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon D3400 are ISO 100 to ISO 25600 (no boost).

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). Of the two cameras under consideration, the D3400 offers substantially better image quality than the X100 (overall score 13 points higher). The advantage is based on 1.9 bits higher color depth, 1.5 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.3 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

	Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
	Fujifilm X100	APS-C	12.2	4288	2848	720/30p	22.9	12.4	1001	73
	Nikon D3400	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.8	13.9	1192	86
	Canon G1 X	1.5-inch	14.2	4352	3264	1080/24p	21.7	10.8	644	60
	Fujifilm X100F	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
	Fujifilm X30	2/3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
	Fujifilm X100T	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
	Fujifilm X100S	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
	Leica D-LUX Typ 109	Four Thirds	12.7	4112	3088	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
	Nikon D3500	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
	Nikon D5600	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.1	14.0	1306	84
	Nikon D5500	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.1	14.0	1438	84
	Nikon D3300	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.3	12.8	1385	82
	Nikon D3200	APS-C	24.1	6016	4000	1080/30p	24.1	13.2	1131	81
	Nikon D3100	APS-C	14.2	4608	3072	1080/24p	22.5	11.3	919	67
	Nikon D3000	APS-C	10.0	3872	2592	none	22.3	11.1	563	62
	Panasonic LX100	Four Thirds	12.7	4112	3088	4K/30p	22.3	12.5	553	67
	Sony NEX-7	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60i	24.1	13.4	1016	81

Camera Model
Fujifilm X100
Nikon D3400
Canon G1 X
Fujifilm X100F
Fujifilm X30
Fujifilm X100T
Fujifilm X100S
Leica D-LUX Typ 109
Nikon D3500
Nikon D5600
Nikon D5500
Nikon D3300
Nikon D3200
Nikon D3100
Nikon D3000
Panasonic LX100
Sony NEX-7

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the D3400 provides a better video resolution than the X100. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/60p, while the Fujifilm is limited to 720/30p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the X100 has an electronic viewfinder (1440k dots), while the D3400 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinder in the X100 offers a wider field of view (100%) than the one in the D3400 (95%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible in the finder. On the other hand, the viewfinder of the D3400 has a higher magnification (0.57x vs 0.50x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Fujifilm X100 and Nikon D3400 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

Core Features

	Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
	Fujifilm X100	1440	n	2.8	460	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
	Nikon D3400	optical	n	3.0	921	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
	Canon G1 X	optical	n	3.0	922	Swivel	n	1/4000s	1.9	Y	Y
	Fujifilm X100F	2360	n	3.0	1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	8.0	Y	n
	Fujifilm X30	2360	n	3.0	920	tilting	n	1/4000s	12.0	Y	Y
	Fujifilm X100T	2360	n	3.0	1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
	Fujifilm X100S	2360	n	2.8	460	fixed	n	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
	Leica D-LUX Typ 109	2764	n	3.0	921	fixed	n	1/4000s	11.0	n	Y
	Nikon D3500	optical	n	3.0	921	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
	Nikon D5600	optical	n	3.2	1037	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
	Nikon D5500	optical	n	3.2	1037	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
	Nikon D3300	optical	n	3.0	921	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
	Nikon D3200	optical	n	3.0	921	fixed	n	1/4000s	4.0	Y	n
	Nikon D3100	optical	n	3.0	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
	Nikon D3000	optical	n	3.0	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
	Panasonic LX100	2764	n	3.0	921	fixed	n	1/4000s	11.0	n	Y
	Sony NEX-7	2359	n	3.0	921	tilting	n	1/4000s	10.0	Y	n

Camera Model
Fujifilm X100
Nikon D3400
Canon G1 X
Fujifilm X100F
Fujifilm X30
Fujifilm X100T
Fujifilm X100S
Leica D-LUX Typ 109
Nikon D3500
Nikon D5600
Nikon D5500
Nikon D3300
Nikon D3200
Nikon D3100
Nikon D3000
Panasonic LX100
Sony NEX-7

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the X100 and the D3400 write their files to SDXC cards. The D3400 supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the X100 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

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 Fujifilm FinePix X100 and Nikon D3400 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

	Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
	Fujifilm X100	Y	stereo	-	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Nikon D3400	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	Y
	Canon G1 X	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Fujifilm X100F	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
	Fujifilm X30	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
	Fujifilm X100T	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
	Fujifilm X100S	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	-	-	-
	Leica D-LUX Typ 109	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
	Nikon D3500	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	Y
	Nikon D5600	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	Y
	Nikon D5500	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
	Nikon D3300	Y	mono	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Nikon D3200	Y	mono	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Nikon D3100	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Nikon D3000	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
	Panasonic LX100	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
	Sony NEX-7	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-

Camera Model
Fujifilm X100
Nikon D3400
Canon G1 X
Fujifilm X100F
Fujifilm X30
Fujifilm X100T
Fujifilm X100S
Leica D-LUX Typ 109
Nikon D3500
Nikon D5600
Nikon D5500
Nikon D3300
Nikon D3200
Nikon D3100
Nikon D3000
Panasonic LX100
Sony NEX-7

Both the X100 and the D3400 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on eBay. The X100 was replaced by the Fujifilm X100S, while the D3400 was followed by the Nikon D3500. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Fujifilm and Nikon websites.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Which of the two cameras – the Fujifilm X100 or the Nikon D3400 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Advantages of the Fujifilm FinePix X100:

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
• More complete view: Has a viewfinder with a larger field of view (100% vs 95%).
• Ready to shoot: Comes with a built-in lens, while the D3400 requires a separate lens.
• More compact: Is smaller (126x75mm vs 124x98mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in September 2010).

Reasons to prefer the Nikon D3400:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (24 vs 12.2MP), which boosts linear resolution by 40%.
• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (13 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
• Richer colors: Generates noticeably more natural colors (1.9 bits more color depth).
• More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (1.5 EV of extra DR).
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (1080/60p vs 720/30p).
• Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.57x vs 0.50x).
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.8") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (921k vs 460k dots).
• More flexible: Makes it possible to change lenses and thus to use specialty optics.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (1200 versus 300) out of a single battery charge.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
• More modern: Reflects 5 years and 10 months of technical progress since the X100 launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the D3400 is the clear winner of the contest (15 : 6 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. 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.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Fujifilm X100 and the Nikon D3400 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Prime Lens Compact Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the X100 and the D3400 in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, and photographyblog). 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.

Review Scores

	Camera Model	camera   labs	dp review	ephoto   zine	imaging resource	photography   blog	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
	Fujifilm X100	..	75/100	4/5	4/5	5/5	Sep 2010	1,199
	Nikon D3400	+	76/100	4/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2016	499
	Canon G1 X	+	76/100	4/5	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2012	799
	Fujifilm X100F	+	83/100	4.5/5	..	4.5/5	Jan 2017	1,299
	Fujifilm X30	..	76/100	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Aug 2014	599
	Fujifilm X100T	+	81/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	5/5	Sep 2014	1,299
	Fujifilm X100S	+ +	81/100	4.5/5	4/5	5/5	Jan 2013	1,299
	Leica D-LUX Typ 109	..	..	4.5/5	..	4.5/5	Sep 2014	1,195
	Nikon D3500	..	75/100	4/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2018	429
	Nikon D5600	..	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4/5	Nov 2016	699
	Nikon D5500	+	79/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2015	899
	Nikon D3300	+	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2014	499
	Nikon D3200	+ +	73/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2012	599
	Nikon D3100	+ +	72/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2010	599
	Nikon D3000	+	72/100	4/5	3.5/5	4.5/5	Jul 2009	599
	Panasonic LX100	+ +	85/100	5/5	4/5	5/5	Sep 2014	899
	Sony NEX-7	+ +	81/100	4.5/5	5/5	5/5	Aug 2011	1,349
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Camera Model
Fujifilm X100
Nikon D3400
Canon G1 X
Fujifilm X100F
Fujifilm X30
Fujifilm X100T
Fujifilm X100S
Leica D-LUX Typ 109
Nikon D3500
Nikon D5600
Nikon D5500
Nikon D3300
Nikon D3200
Nikon D3100
Nikon D3000
Panasonic LX100
Sony NEX-7

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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.

Specifications: Fujifilm X100 vs Nikon D3400

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.

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