Canon A2100 IS vs Canon A480
92 Imaging
34 Features
20 Overall
28


94 Imaging
32 Features
13 Overall
24
Canon A2100 IS vs Canon A480 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 36-216mm (F3.2-5.9) lens
- 185g - 102 x 64 x 32mm
- Launched February 2009
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 37-122mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
- 140g - 92 x 62 x 31mm
- Revealed January 2009

Canon A2100 IS vs Canon A480 Overview
In this write-up, we will be matching up the Canon A2100 IS and Canon A480, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Ultracompact and both are built by Canon. The sensor resolution of the A2100 IS (12MP) and the A480 (10MP) is relatively well matched and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The A2100 IS was revealed 2 months later than the A480 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Canon A2100 IS being a Compact camera and the Canon A480 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before we go through a full comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the A2100 IS grades vs the A480 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon A2100 IS vs Canon A480 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot A2100 IS and Canon PowerShot A480. The full galleries are provided at Canon A2100 IS Gallery and Canon A480 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A2100 IS over the Canon A480
A2100 IS | A480 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 115k | Sharper screen (+115k dot) |
Reasons to pick Canon A480 over the Canon A2100 IS
A480 | A2100 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon A2100 IS and Canon A480
A2100 IS | A480 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2009 | ![]() | January 2009 | Similar generation |
Manually focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither contains Touch friendly screen |
Canon A2100 IS vs Canon A480 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon A2100 IS has got external dimensions of 102mm x 64mm x 32mm (4.0" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) and the Canon A480 has dimensions of 92mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 140 grams (0.31 lbs).
Analyze the Canon A2100 IS and Canon A480 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the A2100 IS and the A480.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the A2100 IS and A480 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Canon A2100 IS vs Canon A480 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it can be hard to see the contrast between sensor sizing simply by looking at a spec sheet. The visual here should provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A2100 IS and A480.
Clearly, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Canon A2100 IS to give more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs far more aggressively.

Canon A2100 IS vs Canon A480 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A2100 IS vs Canon A480 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A2100 IS | Canon PowerShot A480 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Canon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot A2100 IS | Canon PowerShot A480 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Ultracompact |
Launched | 2009-02-18 | 2009-01-15 |
Body design | Compact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 5 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 36-216mm (6.0x) | 37-122mm (3.3x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.2-5.9 | f/3.0-5.8 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3" | 2.5" |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dot | 115 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 15 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.50 m | 3.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | - | 1/500 secs |
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) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | 640x480 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | - |
Microphone 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 | 185 grams (0.41 pounds) | 140 grams (0.31 pounds) |
Dimensions | 102 x 64 x 32mm (4.0" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 92 x 62 x 31mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 1.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 ID | 2 x AA | 2 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus | SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail price | $220 | $210 |