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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX280 HS

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front
Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX280 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 SX280 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
  • Launched March 2013
  • Succeeded the Canon SX270 HS
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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX280 HS Overview

The following is a comprehensive comparison of the Canon A3100 IS versus Canon SX280 HS, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are sold by Canon. The sensor resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the SX280 HS (12MP) is very similar and they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The A3100 IS was brought out 4 years earlier than the SX280 HS which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the A3100 IS grades against the SX280 HS with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Canon SX280 HS

 A3100 IS SX280 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Canon A3100 IS

 SX280 HS A3100 IS 
LaunchedMarch 2013January 2010Newer by 39 months
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Canon SX280 HS

 A3100 IS SX280 HS 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX280 HS Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon A3100 IS enjoys physical dimensions of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) whilst the Canon SX280 HS has proportions of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs).

Compare the Canon A3100 IS versus Canon SX280 HS in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the A3100 IS compared to the SX280 HS.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX280 HS size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the A3100 IS and SX280 HS is 94 and 91 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX280 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX280 HS Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions purely by going over specifications. The image below may provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A3100 IS and SX280 HS.

To sum up, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact MP so you can expect similar quality of pictures however you will need to consider the launch date of the products into consideration. The more aged A3100 IS is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX280 HS sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX280 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX280 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Portrait photography highlights
Canon SX280 HS Portrait photography highlights
20
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
34
focusing manually
has face detect autofocus
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Street photography information
Canon SX280 HS Street photography information
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (233 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Sports photography advice
Canon SX280 HS Sports photography advice
25
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
36
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
low frames per second (4.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery pack (210 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Travel photography features
Canon SX280 HS Travel photography features
51
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
MP count low (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
61
lighter than others (233g)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
low battery pack (210 shots)
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Landscape photography features
Canon SX280 HS Landscape photography features
27
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Timelapse recording
41
focusing manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
low battery pack (210 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Vlogging camera
Canon SX280 HS as a Vlogging camera
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
does not have selfie friendly display
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
no microphone port
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (233 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have mic port
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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX280 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Canon SX280 HS
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISCanon PowerShot SX280 HS
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Canon PowerShot SX280 HS
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-01-05 2013-03-21
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - 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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/3.5-6.8
Macro focusing range 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 461k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 15s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/3200s
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
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 165 gr (0.36 pounds) 233 gr (0.51 pounds)
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 rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 210 images
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID 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
Launch cost $159 $325