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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon S120

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot S120 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
57
Overall
45

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon S120 Key Specs

Canon A3100 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • 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
Canon S120
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F1.8-5.7) lens
  • 217g - 100 x 59 x 29mm
  • Launched November 2013
  • Replaced the Canon S110
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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon S120 Overview

Here, we are comparing the Canon A3100 IS versus Canon S120, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and they are both produced by Canon. The resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the S120 (12MP) is very close but the A3100 IS (1/2.3") and S120 (1/1.7") boast different sensor size.

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The A3100 IS was announced 4 years earlier than the S120 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summary of how the A3100 IS scores vs the S120 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Canon S120

 A3100 IS S120 

Reasons to pick Canon S120 over the Canon A3100 IS

 S120 A3100 IS 
LaunchedNovember 2013January 2010Newer by 47 months
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kCrisper display (+692k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Canon S120

 A3100 IS S120 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon S120 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon A3100 IS enjoys external measurements of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) whilst the Canon S120 has proportions of 100mm x 59mm x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 217 grams (0.48 lbs).

Analyze the Canon A3100 IS versus Canon S120 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the A3100 IS vs the S120.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon S120 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the A3100 IS and S120 is 94 and 92 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon S120 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon S120 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions only by looking through specs. The image here will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the A3100 IS and S120.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras come with the identical resolution but different sensor dimensions. The A3100 IS features the smaller sensor which is going to make obtaining shallow depth of field trickier. The more aged A3100 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon S120 sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon S120 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon S120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Canon S120 as a Portrait photography camera
21
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
42
manual focus
provides face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
external flash not possible
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon A3100 IS
Street photography with Canon S120
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
65
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
comes with focus by touch
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/1.7")
more heavy than competition (217 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Sports photography highlights
Canon S120 Sports photography highlights
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
39
image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Travel photography camera
Canon S120 as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
67
comes with focus by touch
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
more heavy than competition (217 grams)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon A3100 IS
Landscape photography with Canon S120
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
57
manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Vlogging information
Canon S120 Vlogging information
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
35
fairly wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone socket
more heavy than competition (217 grams)
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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon S120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Canon S120
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISCanon PowerShot S120
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Canon PowerShot S120
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2010-01-05 2013-11-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Digic 6
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/1.8-5.7
Macro focusing distance 3cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT PureColor II G Touch screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 7.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, on, slow synchro, off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 or 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 165 grams (0.36 lbs) 217 grams (0.48 lbs)
Physical dimensions 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 100 x 59 x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 56
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.3
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.9
DXO Low light rating not tested 246
Other
Battery life - 230 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-8L NB-6LH
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $159 $449