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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX400 IS

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX400 IS front
Portability
81
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX400 IS Key Specs

Canon A3100 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • 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 SX400 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
  • 313g - 104 x 69 x 80mm
  • Launched July 2014
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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX400 IS Overview

Following is a in-depth analysis of the Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX400 IS, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both sold by Canon. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the A3100 IS (12MP) and SX400 IS (16MP) but they come with the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The A3100 IS was revealed 5 years earlier than the SX400 IS which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a complete comparison, below is a short overview of how the A3100 IS matches up versus the SX400 IS when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Canon SX400 IS

 A3100 IS SX400 IS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX400 IS over the Canon A3100 IS

 SX400 IS A3100 IS 
LaunchedJuly 2014January 2010More modern by 55 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Canon SX400 IS

 A3100 IS SX400 IS 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX400 IS Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Canon A3100 IS provides outer dimensions of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) while the Canon SX400 IS has specifications of 104mm x 69mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.1") having a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs).

Check out the Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX400 IS in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have at the time. Here is the front view size comparison of the A3100 IS against the SX400 IS.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX400 IS size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the A3100 IS and SX400 IS is 94 and 81 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX400 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX400 IS Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes merely by researching specifications. The image underneath may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the A3100 IS and SX400 IS.

To sum up, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Canon SX400 IS to render more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more aged A3100 IS will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX400 IS sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX400 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX400 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Portrait photography details
Canon SX400 IS Portrait photography details
21
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
35
good MP (16MP)
features face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Street photography factors
Canon SX400 IS Street photography factors
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
52
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Sports photography advice
Canon SX400 IS Sports photography advice
25
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
42
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
bad battery (190 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Travel photography information
Canon SX400 IS Travel photography information
51
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
60
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
bad battery (190 per charge)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Canon SX400 IS as a Landscape photography camera
27
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
40
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
bad battery (190 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Vlogging factors
Canon SX400 IS Vlogging factors
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have microphone jack
28
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX400 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Canon SX400 IS
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISCanon PowerShot SX400 IS
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Canon PowerShot SX400 IS
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-01-05 2014-07-29
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Digic 4+
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/3.4-5.8
Macro focus distance 3cm 0cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.00 m 5.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, on, off, slow synchro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file 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 lb) 313g (0.69 lb)
Dimensions 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 104 x 69 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.1")
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 life - 190 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-8L NB-11LH
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $159 $229