Clicky

Canon A1200 vs Canon A3100 IS

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
19
Overall
28
Canon PowerShot A1200 front
 
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26

Canon A1200 vs Canon A3100 IS Key Specs

Canon A1200
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 185g - 98 x 63 x 31mm
  • Revealed January 2011
Canon A3100 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F2.7-5.6) lens
  • 165g - 97 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released January 2010
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Canon A1200 vs Canon A3100 IS Overview

Below, we will be contrasting the Canon A1200 and Canon A3100 IS, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and they are both produced by Canon. The resolution of the A1200 (12MP) and the A3100 IS (12MP) is pretty well matched and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The A1200 was manufactured 13 months after the A3100 IS which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the A1200 scores versus the A3100 IS with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon A1200 over the Canon A3100 IS

 A1200 A3100 IS 
ReleasedJanuary 2011January 2010More modern by 13 months

Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Canon A1200

 A3100 IS A1200 

Common features in the Canon A1200 and Canon A3100 IS

 A1200 A3100 IS 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Canon A1200 vs Canon A3100 IS Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera often, you should think about its weight and proportions. The Canon A1200 has got physical measurements of 98mm x 63mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2") having a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) while the Canon A3100 IS has measurements of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs).

Examine the Canon A1200 and Canon A3100 IS in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the A1200 versus the A3100 IS.

Canon A1200 vs Canon A3100 IS size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the A1200 and A3100 IS is 92 and 94 respectively.

Canon A1200 vs Canon A3100 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon A1200 vs Canon A3100 IS Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to see the difference between sensor sizes merely by looking at specs. The pic underneath will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the A1200 and A3100 IS.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact megapixels so you can expect similar quality of images however you will want to consider the launch date of the products into consideration. The more modern A1200 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Canon A1200 vs Canon A3100 IS sensor size comparison

Canon A1200 vs Canon A3100 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A1200 vs Canon A3100 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A1200 Portrait photography highlights
Canon A3100 IS Portrait photography highlights
26
comes with face detection focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
21
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Canon A1200 Street photography details
Canon A3100 IS Street photography details
46
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Canon A1200 Sports photography factors
Canon A3100 IS Sports photography factors
23
comes with tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (200 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Travel Comparison

Canon A1200 Travel photography advice
Canon A3100 IS Travel photography advice
55
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse function
not so great battery (200 shots)
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
51
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Canon A1200 Landscape photography details
Canon A3100 IS Landscape photography details
27
reasonably wide (28mm)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
not so great battery (200 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse function
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A1200 Vlogging details
Canon A3100 IS Vlogging details
27
reasonably wide (28mm)
comes with face detection focusing
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone port
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
no mic jack
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Canon A1200 vs Canon A3100 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A1200 and Canon A3100 IS
 Canon PowerShot A1200Canon PowerShot A3100 IS
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot A1200 Canon PowerShot A3100 IS
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-01-05 2010-01-05
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.7-5.6
Macro focusing distance 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 15s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 3.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 185g (0.41 lbs) 165g (0.36 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 63 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2") 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 shots -
Form of battery AA -
Battery ID 2 x AA NB-8L
Self timer Yes Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HCMMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $109 $159