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Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon L21

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon L21 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
  • Launched January 2010
Nikon L21
(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
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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").

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The 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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Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Nikon L21

 A3100 IS L21 
Screen sizing2.7"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 
IntroducedJanuary 2010February 2010Same age
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon L21 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the A3100 IS and L21 is 94 and 93 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon L21 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon L21 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Portrait photography information
Nikon L21 Portrait photography information
20
no manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
18
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon A3100 IS
Street photography with Nikon L21
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
46
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Sports photography details
Nikon L21 Sports photography details
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
15
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (8MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Travel photography camera
Nikon L21 as a Travel photography camera
51
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
low MP (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
50
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Landscape photography details
Nikon L21 Landscape photography details
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
21
lack of manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.5 inches)
lack of manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Vlogging features
Nikon L21 Vlogging features
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
no external mic jack
21
wide angle not good (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of external microphone port
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Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon L21 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Nikon L21
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISNikon 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