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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX510 HS

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX510 HS front
Portability
80
Imaging
35
Features
41
Overall
37

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX510 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
  • Introduced January 2010
Canon SX510 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
  • 349g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
  • Revealed August 2013
  • Replaced the Canon SX500 IS
  • Updated by Canon SX520 HS
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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX510 HS Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Canon A3100 IS versus Canon SX510 HS, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both designed by Canon. The resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the SX510 HS (12MP) is very similar and they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The A3100 IS was manufactured 4 years earlier than the SX510 HS and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a full comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the A3100 IS scores against the SX510 HS in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Canon SX510 HS

 A3100 IS SX510 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX510 HS over the Canon A3100 IS

 SX510 HS A3100 IS 
RevealedAugust 2013January 2010Fresher by 44 months
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kClearer display (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Canon SX510 HS

 A3100 IS SX510 HS 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX510 HS Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon A3100 IS enjoys external measurements 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 SX510 HS has measurements of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") and a weight of 349 grams (0.77 lbs).

Check the Canon A3100 IS versus Canon SX510 HS in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the A3100 IS vs the SX510 HS.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX510 HS size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A3100 IS and SX510 HS is 94 and 80 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX510 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX510 HS Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizing only by going over specs. The graphic underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the A3100 IS and SX510 HS.

All in all, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of photographs however you will need to take the age of the products into consideration. The older A3100 IS is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX510 HS sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX510 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX510 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon A3100 IS
Portrait photography with Canon SX510 HS
20
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
34
focusing manually
has face detect focusing
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon A3100 IS
Street photography with Canon SX510 HS
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
50
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Sports photography camera
Canon SX510 HS as a Sports photography camera
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
36
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (250 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Travel photography information
Canon SX510 HS Travel photography information
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
54
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
terrible battery life (250 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon A3100 IS
Landscape photography with Canon SX510 HS
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Timelapse function
40
focusing manually
rather wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
terrible battery life (250 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Vlogging features
Canon SX510 HS Vlogging features
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
missing microphone jack
30
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of mic socket
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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX510 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Canon SX510 HS
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISCanon PowerShot SX510 HS
General Information
Brand Name Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Canon PowerShot SX510 HS
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-01-05 2013-08-22
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Digic 4
Sensor type CCD 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 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 1
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/3.4-5.8
Macro focus range 3cm 0cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m 5.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, on, slow synchro, off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 165 gr (0.36 pounds) 349 gr (0.77 pounds)
Dimensions 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1")
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 - 250 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-8L NB-6LH
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Price at release $159 $249