Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX120 IS
94 Imaging
35 Features
14 Overall
26


87 Imaging
33 Features
28 Overall
31
Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX120 IS 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 - 1/2.5" 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

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.

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.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX120 IS Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot A3100 IS and Canon PowerShot SX120 IS. The entire galleries are provided at Canon A3100 IS Gallery and Canon SX120 IS Gallery.
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 sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Canon SX120 IS
A3100 IS | SX120 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2010 | ![]() | August 2009 | Same generation |
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX120 IS Specifications
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS | Canon 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 |