Canon A3100 IS vs Canon S90
94 Imaging
35 Features
14 Overall
26


92 Imaging
34 Features
42 Overall
37
Canon A3100 IS vs Canon S90 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon S90 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot A3100 IS & Canon PowerShot S90. The complete galleries are provided at Canon A3100 IS Gallery & Canon S90 Gallery.
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 sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+231k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Canon S90
A3100 IS | S90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2010 | ![]() | April 2010 | Same age |
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon S90 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS | Canon 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 |