Nikon D3300 is a entry level camera from Nikon that comes without low-pass filter so you get sharp images and great details when viewed at 100% and Canon 100D comes with a 18.0MP APS-C CMOS Sensor, ISO upto 25600 and 3.0″ Clear View II Touchscreen LCD.
Nikon D3300 gives you more megapixel and bit bigger sensor size compared to Canon 100D / SL1.
Nikon D3300 vs Canon 100D Sensor
The sensor of Canon 100D is bit advance since it features active Phase AF pixels fabricated within the sensor, the ISO range of Canon 100D is approx 25600.
Nikon D3300 have traditional CMOS sensor with additional benefit that it doesn’t have built-in low pass filter, so you get super sharp images.
Nikon D3300 will give you better image quality when compared to Canon 100D / SL1
Nikon D3300 vs Canon 100D AF system
Canon 100D / SL1 features 9-point AF system (including a high-precision dual-cross center point) +Hybrid CMOS AF System is utilized when shooting photos and video in Live View, so the phase AF system is active even shooting at live-view mode.
The Nikon D3300 have 11 point AF system, no cross AF points available and neither we have active phase AF pixels in the sensor , so contrast based AF system is active while shooting video or doing AF while using live-view mode.
Canon 100D / SL1 have advance AF system compared to Nikon D3300.
Videos
Nikon D3300 feature Full HD video recording at 60 fps, as well as HD 720p and SD 480p in multiple frame rates, in the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 format.
Canon 100D / SL1 limited to 30fps in Full HD video mode and Movie Servo for continuous focus tracking of moving subjects during recording / phase AF pixels active while video recording.
The Nikon D3300 have better frame rates but uses contrast based AF system whereas Canon 100D have active Phase + Contrast AF system while while recording videos.
Canon also have STM range of lenses that supports silent AF motor that works silently / without adding AF noise in your video.
Display: Canon 100D have 3.0″ Clear View II Touchscreen LCD display and Nikon D3300 have 3.0″ 921k-Dot LCD Monitor.
Canon 100D have more better display compared to Nikon D3300.
Verdict: Nikon D3300 will give you bit better image quality and more frame rates while video recording and Canon 100D comes with Hybrid AF that works perfectly in still and video mode. If you prefer image quality go for Nikon D3300 and if you are looking for a complete package of features go for Canon 100D / SL1.
100D win.. You can test it vs the 5DmkIII. Absolutely amazing the quality of that small camera.. I’ve used it vs 70D, 7D and 5DmkIII. The 100D win in video conditions “thanks hybrid af 2” , 100D whitebalance and disturb with high iso.. His sensor is incredible.. disturb will be visible using iso to 12800. Cool pictures and cool videos in low light condition.. I think 100D is a small camera with great potential.. Really awesome. I like it, and ill vote 100D vs that small Nikon 😉
btw: there is some SL1 that work good, there is some SL1 that work bad….
Mine is perfect. I hope the model that you tested was a good model.