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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon N

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot N front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
33
Overall
34

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon N Key Specs

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
  • Revealed January 2010
Canon N
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 195g - 79 x 60 x 29mm
  • Released January 2013
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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon N Overview

Below is a thorough overview of the Canon A3100 IS versus Canon N, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and they are both offered by Canon. The sensor resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the N (12MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras provide the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The A3100 IS was brought out 4 years earlier than the N and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise summation of how the A3100 IS matches up vs the N in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary

				

Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Canon N

 A3100 IS N 

Reasons to pick Canon N over the Canon A3100 IS

 N A3100 IS 
ReleasedJanuary 2013January 2010More recent by 36 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size2.8"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.1")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Canon N

 A3100 IS N 
Manual focus No manual focusing

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon N Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon A3100 IS provides external dimensions of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) and the Canon N has dimensions of 79mm x 60mm x 29mm (3.1" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 195 grams (0.43 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon A3100 IS versus Canon N in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the A3100 IS and the N.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon N size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the A3100 IS and N is 94 and 93 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon N top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon N Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to see the gap in sensor measurements simply by checking out a spec sheet. The visual here might offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A3100 IS and N.

Clearly, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size and the exact same MP therefore you can expect comparable quality of pictures however you should always factor the age of the cameras into account. The older A3100 IS will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon N sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon N Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Portrait photography details
Canon N Portrait photography details
21
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
21
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon A3100 IS
Street photography with Canon N
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
65
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon A3100 IS
Sports photography with Canon N
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery (200 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon A3100 IS
Travel photography with Canon N
51
flash built-in
missing Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
61
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
pretty wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse function
bad battery (200 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Landscape photography details
Canon N Landscape photography details
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
36
pretty wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (2.8")
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
bad battery (200 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Vlogging advice
Canon N Vlogging advice
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
missing external microphone socket
72
pretty wide (28mm)
screen is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
missing mic jack
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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Canon N
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISCanon PowerShot N
General Information
Make Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Canon PowerShot N
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-01-05 2013-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Digic 5
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 2248
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) 28-224mm (8.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/3.0-5.9
Macro focusing range 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 2.8 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 461 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - PureColor II G touch
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync -
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 ( 240 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 165 gr (0.36 lb) 195 gr (0.43 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 79 x 60 x 29mm (3.1" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 life - 200 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-8L NB-9L
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $159 $299