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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon S90

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot S90 front
Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
42
Overall
37

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon S90 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
  • Introduced January 2010
Canon S90
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28-105mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 195g - 100 x 58 x 31mm
  • Announced April 2010
  • Successor is Canon S95
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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon S90 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Canon A3100 IS versus Canon S90, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and both of them are offered by Canon. The image resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the S90 (10MP) is very close but the A3100 IS (1/2.3") and S90 (1/1.7") feature different sensor dimensions.

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The A3100 IS was released 3 months prior to the S90 so they are of a similar age. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a in depth comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the A3100 IS grades versus the S90 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Canon S90

 A3100 IS S90 

Reasons to pick Canon S90 over the Canon A3100 IS

 S90 A3100 IS 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Canon S90

 A3100 IS S90 
AnnouncedJanuary 2010April 2010Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon S90 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon A3100 IS features external measurements of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) while the Canon S90 has measurements of 100mm x 58mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") and a weight of 195 grams (0.43 lbs).

Examine the Canon A3100 IS versus Canon S90 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select at that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the A3100 IS vs the S90.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon S90 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the A3100 IS and S90 is 94 and 92 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon S90 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon S90 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizes just by looking through technical specs. The image underneath should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the A3100 IS and S90.

As you can tell, the two cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The A3100 IS because of its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field tougher and the Canon A3100 IS will provide you with more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images a little more aggressively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon S90 sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon S90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon S90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Portrait photography advice
Canon S90 Portrait photography advice
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
40
has manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/500 seconds)
supports RAW files
external flash not possible
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Street photography camera
Canon S90 as a Street photography camera
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Sports photography advice
Canon S90 Sports photography advice
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Travel photography highlights
Canon S90 Travel photography highlights
51
built-in flash
no Time Lapse recording
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
63
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
missing Timelapse mode
low megapixels (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Landscape photography info
Canon S90 Landscape photography info
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
52
has manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Vlogging advice
Canon S90 Vlogging advice
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
no external mic port
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
missing microphone jack
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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon S90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Canon S90
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISCanon PowerShot S90
General Information
Brand Name Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Canon PowerShot S90
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-01-05 2010-04-08
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Digic 4
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) 28-105mm (3.8x)
Largest aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focus range 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 4.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 461k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m 6.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/500 seconds
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 data format Motion JPEG H.264
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 165 grams (0.36 lbs) 195 grams (0.43 lbs)
Dimensions 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 100 x 58 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 46
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.0
DXO Low light score not tested 185
Other
Battery model NB-8L NB-6L
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus card
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $159 $599