Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S30

Let's look more closely at the Canon A3100 IS versus Nikon S30, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the S30 (10MP) is fairly well matched but the A3100 IS (1/2.3") and S30 (1/3") come with different sensor sizes.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The A3100 IS was revealed 3 years before the S30 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief summation of how the A3100 IS matches up against the S30 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot A3100 IS and Nikon Coolpix S30. The full galleries are available at Canon A3100 IS Gallery and Nikon S30 Gallery.

If you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon A3100 IS enjoys physical dimensions of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) while the Nikon S30 has dimensions of 102mm x 65mm x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") having a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Look at the Canon A3100 IS versus Nikon S30 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the A3100 IS vs the S30.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the A3100 IS and S30 is 94 and 90 respectively.

Generally, it can be hard to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions only by checking technical specs. The picture here will offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the A3100 IS and S30.

As you have seen, both of those cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The A3100 IS having a larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF less difficult and the Canon A3100 IS will give more detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more aged A3100 IS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.