Clicky

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX270 HS

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX270 HS front
Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX270 HS 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
  • Announced January 2010
Canon SX270 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
  • 233g - 106 x 63 x 33mm
  • Announced March 2013
  • Replaced the Canon SX260 HS
  • Replacement is Canon SX280 HS
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX270 HS Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Canon A3100 IS and Canon SX270 HS, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both created by Canon. The image resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the SX270 HS (12MP) is very close and both cameras have the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The A3100 IS was released 4 years before the SX270 HS and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a short overview of how the A3100 IS matches up against the SX270 HS in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Canon SX270 HS

 A3100 IS SX270 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX270 HS over the Canon A3100 IS

 SX270 HS A3100 IS 
AnnouncedMarch 2013January 2010More recent by 39 months
Manually focus More exact focusing
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Canon SX270 HS

 A3100 IS SX270 HS 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX270 HS Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Canon A3100 IS comes with outside measurements of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) and the Canon SX270 HS has specifications of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs).

Analyze the Canon A3100 IS and Canon SX270 HS in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose during that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the A3100 IS versus the SX270 HS.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX270 HS size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A3100 IS and SX270 HS is 94 and 91 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX270 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX270 HS Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements purely by viewing specifications. The photograph underneath will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the A3100 IS and SX270 HS.

To sum up, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same MP therefore you should expect comparable quality of pictures though you may want to factor the production date of the cameras into account. The older A3100 IS will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX270 HS sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX270 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX270 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon A3100 IS
Portrait photography with Canon SX270 HS
21
manual focus not available
no manual mode
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
34
has manual focus
comes with face detect autofocus
no external flash support
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Street Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Street photography factors
Canon SX270 HS Street photography factors
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (233g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon A3100 IS
Sports photography with Canon SX270 HS
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
36
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (210 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon A3100 IS
Travel photography with Canon SX270 HS
51
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
61
lighter than average in class (233 grams)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (500mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (210 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Landscape photography information
Canon SX270 HS Landscape photography information
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
41
has manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
terrible battery life (210 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Vlogging camera
Canon SX270 HS as a Vlogging camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of mic socket
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (233 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic jack
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX270 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Canon SX270 HS
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISCanon PowerShot SX270 HS
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Canon PowerShot SX270 HS
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-01-05 2013-03-21
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Digic 6
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/3.5-6.8
Macro focus distance 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 461 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/3200 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic 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 165g (0.36 pounds) 233g (0.51 pounds)
Physical dimensions 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 life - 210 photos
Style of battery - Battery Pack
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/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $159 $284