Canon A1100 IS vs Panasonic S3
93 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27


96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31
Canon A1100 IS vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 35-140mm (F2.7-5.6) lens
- 150g - 95 x 62 x 31mm
- Launched February 2009
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
- 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
- Released January 2011

Canon A1100 IS vs Panasonic S3 Overview
In this write-up, we will be looking at the Canon A1100 IS and Panasonic S3, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the A1100 IS (12MP) and the S3 (14MP) is relatively well matched and they feature the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The A1100 IS was unveiled 22 months prior to the S3 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief summary of how the A1100 IS matches up versus the S3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon A1100 IS vs Panasonic S3 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot A1100 IS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3. The full galleries are provided at Canon A1100 IS Gallery and Panasonic S3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A1100 IS over the Panasonic S3
A1100 IS | S3 |
---|
Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Canon A1100 IS
S3 | A1100 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer by 22 months |
Screen sizing | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 115k | Clearer screen (+115k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A1100 IS and Panasonic S3
A1100 IS | S3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither provides Touch friendly screen |
Canon A1100 IS vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Canon A1100 IS provides physical dimensions of 95mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) and the Panasonic S3 has specifications of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).
See the Canon A1100 IS and Panasonic S3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the A1100 IS vs the S3.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the A1100 IS and S3 is 93 and 96 respectively.

Canon A1100 IS vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is tough to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions simply by reading through a spec sheet. The pic here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the A1100 IS and S3.
Clearly, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should count on the Panasonic S3 to give greater detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged A1100 IS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Canon A1100 IS vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A1100 IS vs Panasonic S3 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A1100 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Panasonic |
Model | Canon PowerShot A1100 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2009-02-18 | 2011-01-05 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 4 | Venus Engine IV |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4320 x 3240 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 35-140mm (4.0x) | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/2.7-5.6 | f/3.1-5.6 |
Macro focus distance | 3cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2.5 inch | 2.7 inch |
Screen resolution | 115k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen tech | - | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (tunnel) | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15s | 8s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames per sec | 2.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 4.00 m | 3.30 m |
Flash options | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 150g (0.33 pounds) | 117g (0.26 pounds) |
Dimensions | 95 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 250 images |
Battery style | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 2 x AA | - |
Self timer | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Cost at release | $160 | $110 |