Nikon D2Xs vs Nikon D3100 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 12.2 MP · APS-C
Nikon D2Xs
36
SCORE
|
Nikon · DSLR · 14.8 MP · APS-C
Nikon D3100
41
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D2Xs and the Nikon D3100 are both Nikon F DX DSLRs, so the lenses you buy work on either body. The D2Xs arrived in 2006 as a large body measuring 158 x 150 x 86 mm and weighing 1200 g. The 2010 D3100 is a compact model at 124 x 96 x 75 mm and 505 g, 695 g lighter and smaller in every dimension. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2006 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
June 1, 2006 | October 1, 2010 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 158 x 150 x 86 mm | 124 x 96 x 75 mm |
| Camera weight | 1200 g | 505 g |
| Optics | 43/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D3100 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping, with 14.8 megapixels against the D2Xs's 12.2. The D2Xs answers for speed, shooting at 8 fps where the D3100 reaches 3 fps. Its 1/8000 maximum shutter speed also allows a shorter exposure than the D3100's 1/4000 for freezing fast subjects in bright light. The D3100 offers a wider ISO range, reaching 3200 natively against 800, with expansions to 12800 versus 3200. Several optics specifications match: both use an APS-C CMOS sensor, offer 11 autofocus points and omit in-body stabilisation, so handheld shooting in low light relies on the lens either way. Both viewfinders are optical, though the D2Xs uses a pentaprism and the D3100 a pentamirror. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.2 MP050 | 14.8 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4288 x 2848 | 4608 x 3072 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
16 x 24 | 15.4 x 23.1 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
8 fps045 | 3 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Nikon F DX | Nikon F DX |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Nikon Image processing engine | Expeed 2 |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
8003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
32003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
110300 | 110300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video; both are stills-only DSLRs. The only difference here is timelapse: the D2Xs has built-in timelapse support for capturing a changing scene such as drifting clouds as a sequence of frames, while the D3100 does not. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | No |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 17/100 | 36/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe D3100 makes framing easier with live view, so you can compose shots on its 3-inch LCD when working low to the ground or on a tripod. The D2Xs offers no live view and a smaller 2.5-inch screen. The D3100 also has a built-in flash for quick fill light indoors, which the D2Xs omits. Across connectivity and protection, neither body has GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth or weather sealing. Neither has a touchscreen or a tilting screen, and both support external flash units. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
No |  Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 2.5" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2350001150001500000 | 2300001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
No |  Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 51/100 | 53/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D3100's EN-EL14 battery is rated for 4500 shots, against a 2000-shot rating for the D2Xs's EN-EL4a, so the D3100 carries the higher rating for a long day of shooting. Storage formats differ as well: the D2Xs records to Compact Flash Type I or II cards, while the D3100 uses SD, SDHC and SDXC cards. Neither camera has dual card slots or USB charging. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL4a | EN-EL14 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
2000 shots1505000 | 4500 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For most buyers the D3100 is the better pick: it offers live view, a built-in flash, more resolution for cropping and higher ISO settings for dim interiors. It is also the lighter body to take on holiday. Choose the D2Xs when action photography is the priority, because its 8 fps burst and 1/8000 shutter speed serve sports and birds in flight. Both share the F DX mount, so your lenses keep working either way.