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Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S32

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S32 front
Portability
90
Imaging
36
Features
23
Overall
30

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S32 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
  • Revealed January 2010
Nikon S32
(Full Review)
  • 13MP - 1/3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 30-90mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 175g - 108 x 66 x 40mm
  • Introduced February 2014
Photography Glossary

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S32 Overview

Following is a thorough review of the Canon A3100 IS versus Nikon S32, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Waterproof by companies Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the S32 (13MP) is fairly well matched but the A3100 IS (1/2.3") and S32 (1/3") come with totally different sensor sizing.

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The A3100 IS was introduced 5 years earlier than the S32 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the A3100 IS scores against the S32 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Nikon S32

 A3100 IS S32 

Reasons to pick Nikon S32 over the Canon A3100 IS

 S32 A3100 IS 
IntroducedFebruary 2014January 2010More modern by 49 months

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Nikon S32

 A3100 IS S32 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S32 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon A3100 IS features outer measurements of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) and the Nikon S32 has dimensions of 108mm x 66mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs).

Compare the Canon A3100 IS versus Nikon S32 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the A3100 IS versus the S32.

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S32 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the A3100 IS and S32 is 94 and 90 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S32 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S32 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to see the gap between sensor sizes just by reading through specs. The picture here may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the A3100 IS and S32.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The A3100 IS using its larger sensor will make getting bokeh simpler and the Nikon S32 will give you greater detail using its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged A3100 IS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S32 sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S32 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S32 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon S32 as a Portrait photography camera
20
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
33
megapixel count good (13MP)
includes face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Street photography features
Nikon S32 Street photography features
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
60
image stabilization (Digital)
weather proofing
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Sports photography camera
Nikon S32 as a Sports photography camera
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
36
image stabilization (Digital)
megapixel count good (13MP)
weather proofing
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/3")
not so great battery power (220 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Travel photography factors
Nikon S32 Travel photography factors
51
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
58
weather proofing
megapixel count good (13 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
not so great battery power (220 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (30mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon A3100 IS
Landscape photography with Nikon S32
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Timelapse function
34
image stabilization (Digital)
megapixel count good (13 megapixels)
weather proofing
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (30mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/3")
doesn't have RAW support
not so great battery power (220 per charge)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon A3100 IS
Vlogging with Nikon S32
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
no external microphone port
30
image stabilization (Digital)
includes face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
wide angle not great (30mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
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Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S32 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Nikon S32
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISNikon Coolpix S32
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Nikon Coolpix S32
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Revealed 2010-01-05 2014-02-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 4.8 x 3.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 17.3mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 13MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4160 x 3120
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) 30-90mm (3.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 7.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.00 m 3.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920x1080 (30p), VGA 640x480 (30p, 15p)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 lb) 175 gr (0.39 lb)
Dimensions 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 108 x 66 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.6")
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 - 220 pictures
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-8L EN-EL19
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (Approx. 10 seconds )
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD / SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $159 $180