Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon L21
94 Imaging
34 Features
14 Overall
26
93 Imaging
31 Features
11 Overall
23
Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon L21 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
- Launched January 2010
(Full Review)
- 8MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 64 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
- 169g - 92 x 67 x 28mm
- Introduced February 2010
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon L21 Overview
Let's look a bit more in depth at the Canon A3100 IS and Nikon L21, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the A3100 IS (12MP) and L21 (8MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe A3100 IS was launched within a month of the L21 so they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before going in to a complete comparison, below is a quick overview of how the A3100 IS matches up versus the L21 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot A3100 IS & Nikon Coolpix L21. The complete galleries are available at Canon A3100 IS Gallery & Nikon L21 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Nikon L21
| A3100 IS | L21 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen sizing | 2.7" | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Canon A3100 IS
| L21 | A3100 IS |
|---|
Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Nikon L21
| A3100 IS | L21 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | January 2010 | February 2010 | Same age | |
| Manual focus | No manual focus | |||
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen resolution | 230k | 230k | Equal screen resolution | |
| Selfie screen | Neither has selfie screen | |||
| Touch screen | No Touch screen |
Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon L21 Physical Comparison
For those who are going to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon A3100 IS has external measurements of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) whilst the Nikon L21 has dimensions of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") along with a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs).
Check out the Canon A3100 IS and Nikon L21 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the A3100 IS versus the L21.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the A3100 IS and L21 is 94 and 93 respectively.
Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon L21 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it can be hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizes merely by viewing specifications. The pic underneath should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the A3100 IS and L21.
To sum up, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Canon A3100 IS to result in extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively.
Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon L21 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot A3100 IS | Nikon Coolpix L21 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Canon | Nikon |
| Model | Canon PowerShot A3100 IS | Nikon Coolpix L21 |
| Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
| Launched | 2010-01-05 | 2010-02-03 |
| Body design | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | - | Expeed C2 |
| Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
| Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 8 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
| Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
| Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 64 |
| RAW files | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| AF touch | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| AF single | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| Number of focus points | 9 | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 35-140mm (4.0x) | 38-136mm (3.6x) |
| Maximal aperture | f/2.7-5.6 | f/3.1-6.7 |
| Macro focus distance | 3cm | 5cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen sizing | 2.7" | 2.5" |
| Screen resolution | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch display | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 8 secs |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/2000 secs |
| Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames per second | - |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual exposure | ||
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | 3.00 m | - |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| 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) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | 640x480 |
| Video format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
| Microphone jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| 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 | 165 grams (0.36 pounds) | 169 grams (0.37 pounds) |
| Dimensions | 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") |
| 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 model | NB-8L | 2 x AA |
| Self timer | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) | Yes |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus | SD/SDHC, Internal |
| Storage slots | Single | Single |
| Launch cost | $159 | $180 |