Nikon D3200 has a 24.0MP APS-C (23.2 x 15.4 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Expeed 3 processor. On the other hand, Nikon D3100 has a 14.0MP APS-C (23.1 x 15.4 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Expeed 2 processor.
Nikon D3200's sensor provides 10MP more than Nikon D3100'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 D3200 and D3100 sensor size comparison.
![Nikon D3200 vs Nikon D3100 Sensor Size Comparison]()
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon D3200 and Nikon D3100 Cameras
Nikon D3200 and Nikon D3100 have almost the same sensor size so none of them has any significant advantage over other in providing control over depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
Both Nikon D3200 and Nikon D3100 sensors have been tested by DxoMark. DxoMark scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Of the two cameras that we are comparing, D3200 has scored 81, 14 points higher than D3100.
| Model |
Overall |
Color Depth |
Dynamic Range |
Low-light ISO |
|
Nikon D3200 |
81 |
24.1 bits |
13.2 Evs |
1131 ISO |
|
Nikon D3100 |
67 |
22.5 bits |
11.3 Evs |
919 ISO |