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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX120 IS

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front
Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
28
Overall
31

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX120 IS 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 SX120 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-360mm (F2.8-4.3) lens
  • 285g - 111 x 71 x 45mm
  • Revealed August 2009
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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX120 IS Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Canon A3100 IS and Canon SX120 IS, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and both are sold by Canon. The resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the SX120 IS (10MP) is relatively comparable but the A3100 IS (1/2.3") and SX120 IS (1/2.5") feature different sensor size.

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The A3100 IS was brought out 5 months after the SX120 IS so they are of a similar generation. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the A3100 IS matches up vs the SX120 IS with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Canon SX120 IS

 A3100 IS SX120 IS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Canon A3100 IS

 SX120 IS A3100 IS 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Canon SX120 IS

 A3100 IS SX120 IS 
RevealedJanuary 2010August 2009Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX120 IS Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon A3100 IS provides external dimensions of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) whilst the Canon SX120 IS has proportions of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") with a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon A3100 IS and Canon SX120 IS in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use at that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the A3100 IS compared to the SX120 IS.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX120 IS size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the A3100 IS and SX120 IS is 94 and 87 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX120 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX120 IS Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by going through technical specs. The pic here might offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the A3100 IS and SX120 IS.

As you have seen, both of those cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The A3100 IS featuring a bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF easier and the Canon A3100 IS will provide extra detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots far more aggressively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX120 IS sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX120 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX120 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Canon SX120 IS as a Portrait photography camera
21
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
33
focusing manually
great flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Street photography factors
Canon SX120 IS Street photography factors
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
51
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
no RAW files
more heavy than average (285g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Sports photography features
Canon SX120 IS Sports photography features
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
26
image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (1.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon A3100 IS
Travel photography with Canon SX120 IS
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
51
has built in flash
long zoom (360mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than average (285 grams)
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (36mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Canon SX120 IS as a Landscape photography camera
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
36
focusing manually
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (36mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
no RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Vlogging information
Canon SX120 IS Vlogging information
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have mic port
23
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (36mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have microphone socket
more heavy than average (285g)
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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX120 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Canon SX120 IS
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISCanon PowerShot SX120 IS
General Information
Brand Name Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Canon PowerShot SX120 IS
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-01-05 2009-08-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Digic 4
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.5"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 3:2
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) 36-360mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/2.8-4.3
Macro focus range 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 6.3
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2500 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m 3.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 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), 160 x 120 (15 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 165g (0.36 pounds) 285g (0.63 pounds)
Dimensions 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model NB-8L 2 x AA
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 slots One One
Price at launch $159 $249