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Nikon L31 vs Nikon D3X Comparison

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Nikon L31

16 MP | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) CMOS Sensor

Nikon L31
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Nikon D3X

25 MP | Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) CMOS Sensor

Nikon D3X
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Nikon L31 vs Nikon D3X Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two Nikon cameras cameras with different body types: Nikon L31, which was introduced in January 2015 is a Ultracompact camera with a 16.0MP 1/2.3' sensor whereas Nikon D3X, which was introduced in February 2009 is a Pro DSLR camera with a 25.0MP Full frame sensor. As you can see, D3X is 6 years older than L31. Let's see if this age difference between two cameras makes a big difference.

Comparing a DSLR camera to a Fixed Lens camera is not an easy task but we will do our best to make this a fair comparison.

Here is a brief look at the main features of Nikon L31 and Nikon D3X before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Nikon L31 Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2015-01-14
  • 16MP - 1/2.3' CMOS Sensor
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 26-130 mm F3.2-6.5 Zoom Lens
  • 2.70" Fixed Type Screen
  • fps continuous shooting
  • HD - 1280 x 720 video resolution
  • 160g. 96 x 59 x 29 mm

Nikon D3X Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2009-02-19
  • 25MP - Full frame CMOS Sensor
  • ISO 100 - 1600 ( expands to 50 - 6400)
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 3.00" Fixed Type Screen
  • Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder
  • 5.0fps continuous shooting
  • No Video Mode
  • 1260g. 160 x 157 x 88 mm
  • Weather Sealed Body
  • Replaced Nikon D2Xs Compare

Let's read on the following sections in order to better understand in detail how Nikon L31 and Nikon D3X compares and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.


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**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Reasons to choose Nikon Coolpix L31 over Nikon D3X
Built-in Flash
Yes vs No Useful in low-light
Internal Storage
17MB vs None Extra built-in storage
Face Detection Focus
Yes vs No very handy for portraits
Weight
160 g vs 1260 g 1100 g lighter
Max Video Resolution
1280 x 720 vs None Higher Resolution Video
Selfie & Vlogger LCD
Yes vs No Rotate LCD for taking Selfies
CHECK L31 PRICE


Reasons to choose Nikon D3X over Nikon Coolpix L31
External Flash Shoe
Yes vs No Better for flash photography
Viewfinder
Optical vs None Better framing and control
RAW Support
Yes vs No Better image quality
Sensor Resolution
25 MP vs 16 MP 56% more pixels
LCD Screen Size
3 vs 2.7" 0.3 inches larger display
LCD Resolution
920k dots vs 230k dots 300% higher resolution screen
Max Mech. Shutter
1/8000s vs 1/2000s faster mechanical shutter
Battery Life
4400 shots vs 200 shots 4200 more frames with a single charge
Environmental Sealing
Yes vs No shoot at tough conditions
Timelapse Recording
Yes vs No creative shooting
Sensor Pixel Area
35.33µm2 vs 1.76µm2 1907% larger pixel area
Top LCD
Yes vs No Help viewing and changing settings easily
AE Bracketing
Yes vs No Useful for tough lighting conditions and HDR
Flash Sync Port
Yes vs No Connect off-camera flash
Storage Slot
2 vs 1 Extra storage slot
CHECK D3X PRICE

Common Strengths of Nikon Coolpix L31 and Nikon D3X
Common Weaknesses of Nikon Coolpix L31 and Nikon D3X
In-body Image Stabilization
Digital only vs No No Built-in stabilization
Fixed Screen
Fixed Type vs No Screen tilts or Flips out independently, perfect for both stills and video
Nikon L31 vs Nikon D3X: Physical Specs and Body features Comparison

Size and weight is a big decision factor when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs. In this section, We are going to illustrate Nikon L31 and Nikon D3X side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Nikon L31 has external dimensions of 96 x 59 x 29 mm (3.78 x 2.32 x 1.14″) and weighs 160 g (0.35 lb / 5.64 oz) (including batteries). Nikon D3X has external dimensions of 160 x 157 x 88 mm (6.3 x 6.18 x 3.46″) and weighs 1260 g (2.78 lb / 44.45 oz) (including batteries).

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Nikon L31 and Nikon D3X. Nikon L31 is clearly the smaller of the two cameras. Its body is 64mm narrower, 98mm shorter and 59mm thinner than Nikon D3X. As you can tell, actually this is not a fair size comparison since Nikon L31 has a built-in lens but Nikon D3X doesn't. Once you put a lens on D3X, its thickness will increase significantly.

Nikon L31 vs Nikon D3X Camera Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of Nikon L31 and Nikon D3X Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View

Here is the back view size comparison of Nikon L31 and Nikon D3X.

Nikon L31 vs Nikon D3X Camera Size Comparison - Back View
Comparison image of Nikon L31 and Nikon D3X Size and Weight - Back View

Now lets look at the top view comparison of Nikon L31 and Nikon D3X.
Nikon L31 vs Nikon D3X Camera Size Comparison - Top View
Top View Comparison image of Nikon L31 and Nikon D3X Size

Weight is another important factor especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day. Nikon L31 is significantly lighter (1100g ) than the Nikon D3X which may become a big advantage especially on long walking trips.

Again, this comparison may not be very useful in real life as we are comparing the weight of a camera with a built-in lens to the body-only weight of an interchangeable lens camera. Once you put a lens on D3X, the total kit will weigh much higher.

Weather Sealing

Thanks to the weather sealed body of D3X, you can use this camera with more confidence under conditions where there is risk of exposure to water and dust compared to L31.

LCD Screen Size and Features

Nikon D3X's 3.00" LCD screen is slightly larger than Nikon L31's 2.7" screen.

Unfortunately, both cameras has fixed screens so they don't tilt or flip in directions.


Nikon L31 vs Nikon D3X: Sensor Comparison

Nikon L31 has a 16.0MP 1/2.3' (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CMOS sensor . On the other hand, Nikon D3X has a 25.0MP Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Expeed processor.

Nikon D3X's sensor provides 9MP more than Nikon L31's sensor, which gives a significant advantage in real life. You can print your images larger or crop more freely. On the other hand, please keep in mind that Max sensor resolution is not the only determinant of resolving power. Factors such as the optical elements, low pass filter, pixel size and sensor technology also affects the final resolution of the captured image.

Below you can see the L31 and D3X sensor size comparison.

Nikon L31 vs Nikon D3X Sensor Size Comparison
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon L31 and Nikon D3X Cameras


As seen above, Nikon D3X has a 30.7x Larger sensor area than Nikon L31. Larger sensors give photographer more control on the depth of field and blurry background compared to smaller sensor when shot in same focal length and aperture.

What types of Photography are Nikon L31 and Nikon D3X Good for?
In this section, we rank and compare Nikon L31 and Nikon D3X for five different photography types in order to make your decision process easier in case you are specifically interested in one or more of these areas.

Nikon L31 for Portrait Photography

POOR

Nikon D3X for Portrait Photography

GOOD
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No Image Stabilization
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
No Manual Exposure Mode
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details
Large Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) sensor
Very High Resolution Sensor: 25.0MP
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Good Ergonomics&Handling
No Image Stabilization
Read the details

Nikon L31 for Street Photography

POOR

Nikon D3X for Street Photography

AVERAGE
Small Body
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
26 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No Image Stabilization
No RAW shooting capability
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
Read the details
Large Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) sensor
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Live-view
No Image Stabilization
Large Body
Read the details

Nikon L31 for Sports Photography

POOR

Nikon D3X for Sports Photography

EXCELLENT
Average Max shutter speed: 1/2000s
130 mm Tele Lens
No Image Stabilization
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
No Manual Exposure Mode
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Environmental Sealings
Focus Points
Poor Battery Life: 200 shots
Slow Lens at Tele: f6.50
Read the details
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Good Ergonomics&Handling
Environmental Sealings
Fast Max shutter speed: 1/8000s
51 Focus Points
Good Battery Life: 4400 shots
Good Low Light ISO
Average Continuous Shooting: 5.0fps
No Image Stabilization
Read the details

Nikon L31 for Daily Photography

POOR

Nikon D3X for Daily Photography

GOOD
Compact Body
160g
5.0X Optical Zoom
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details
Large Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) sensor
Environmental Sealings
Large Body
1260g
Body Thickness 88mm
Read the details

Nikon L31 for Landscape Photography

POOR

Nikon D3X for Landscape Photography

AVERAGE
26 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Manual Focus Mode
No Manual Exposure Mode
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details
Large Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) sensor
Very High Resolution Sensor: 25.0MP
Environmental Sealings
Live-view
Read the details

Nikon L31 vs Nikon D3X: OUR DECISION

You may have already made your decision about which camera suits better for your needs and your budget so far but in case you wonder how we rated Nikon L31 and Nikon D3X, below you can find their scores in five different aspects. Our Decision Algorithm dynamically scores cameras using 69 different specs, current price and DxO Mark scores (where possible) in order to make a more objective and consistent comparison.

Here is a summary of how Nikon L31 and Nikon D3X scores compare:

Nikon L31
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #105 out of 155 in Ultracompact cameras
Ranked #1132 out of 1259 in all Cameras
Nikon D3X
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #11 out of 36 in Large SLR cameras
Ranked #275 out of 1259 in all Cameras

Nikon D3X is the overall winner of this comparison. It has a higher Overall Score and beats Nikon L31 in all criteria except one: Portability.
If small size and light body is a big priority for you, choose Nikon L31. Otherwise, Nikon D3X is the better camera overall.

Nikon L31
Nikon L31
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Nikon D3X
Nikon D3X
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Nikon D3X vs Nikon L31 Specs Table
Detailed comparison of specifications
General Nikon Coolpix L31 Nikon D3X
Brand Nikon Nikon
Announced 2015-01-14 2009-02-19
Body Type Ultracompact Large SLR
Sensor
Type CMOS CMOS
Size 1/2.3' Full frame
Dimensions 6.17 x 4.55 mm 35.9 x 24 mm
Area 28.07mm2 861.60mm2
Megapixels 16 megapixels 25 megapixels
Max Resolution 4608 x 3456 6048 x 4032
Max Native Light sensitivity 1,600 ISO 1,600 ISO
Max Boosted Light Sensitivity - 6400 ISO
Min Native Light sensitivity 80 ISO 100 ISO
Min Boosted Light Sensitivity - 50 ISO
RAW Support
Autofocus
AF Touch
AF Continuous
AF Single
AF Tracking
AF Selective
AF Center
AF Multi Area
AF Live View
AF Face Detection
AF Contrast Detection
AF Phase Detection
Number of Focus Points n/a 51
Lens
Manual Focus
Lens Mount fixed lens Nikon F
Lens Focal Range 26-130 mm (5×) no lens
Max Aperture F3.2-6.5 no lens
Macro Focus Range 10cm no lens
Screen
Type Fixed type Fixed type
Size 2.70" 3.00"
Resolution 230k dots 920k dots
Touch Screen
Viewfinder
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage n/a 100%
Viewfinder Magnification n/a 0.7x
Photography Features
Max Mechanical Shutter 1/2000s 1/8000s
Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual Exposure Mode
Custom White Balance
Built-in Image Stabilization Digital only No
Built-in Flash
Flash Range 3.60 m no built-in flash
Max Flash Sync n/a 1/250s
External Flash
Continuous Shooting n/a 5.0 fps
Multi-Segment Metering
Average Metering
Spot Metering
Partial Metering
AF-Area Metering
Center Weighted Metering
AE Bracketing
WB Bracketing
Video Features
Max Video Resolution 1280 x 720 None
Video Formats Motion JPEG n/a
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity None None
HDMI
Physical
Environmental Sealing
Weight 160g 1260g
Dimensions 96 x 59 x 29mm 160 x 157 x 88mm
Battery Life 200 shots 4400 shots
Other Features
Timelapse Recording
GPS None Optional
DxO Sensor Scores
DxO Overall Score not tested 88
DxO Color Depth not tested 24.7
DxO Dynamic Range not tested 13.7
DxO Low Light ISO not tested 1992
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