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Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S8100

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S8100 front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
36
Overall
35

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S8100 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
  • Revealed January 2010
Nikon S8100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 30-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
  • 180g - 104 x 60 x 30mm
  • Launched September 2010
Photography Glossary

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S8100 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Canon A3100 IS versus Nikon S8100, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the S8100 (12MP) is relatively similar and both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The A3100 IS was released 8 months before the S8100 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a short view of how the A3100 IS scores against the S8100 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Nikon S8100

 A3100 IS S8100 

Reasons to pick Nikon S8100 over the Canon A3100 IS

 S8100 A3100 IS 
LaunchedSeptember 2010January 2010Fresher by 8 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Nikon S8100

 A3100 IS S8100 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S8100 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon A3100 IS features outside 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 S8100 has sizing of 104mm x 60mm x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Examine the Canon A3100 IS versus Nikon S8100 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the A3100 IS compared to the S8100.

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S8100 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A3100 IS and S8100 is 94 and 93 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S8100 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S8100 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very hard to envision the difference between sensor sizing only by going over a spec sheet. The graphic below may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the A3100 IS and S8100.

As you can see, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same MP therefore you can expect similar quality of files though you have to consider the launch date of the products into consideration. The older A3100 IS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S8100 sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S8100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S8100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Portrait photography highlights
Nikon S8100 Portrait photography highlights
21
no manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
26
provides face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon A3100 IS
Street photography with Nikon S8100
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Sports photography info
Nikon S8100 Sports photography info
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
38
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
no shutter priority
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Travel photography info
Nikon S8100 Travel photography info
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
55
flash built-in
great reach (300mm)
no Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon S8100 as a Landscape photography camera
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
32
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Vlogging factors
Nikon S8100 Vlogging factors
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of microphone port
30
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no mic socket
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Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S8100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Nikon S8100
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISNikon Coolpix S8100
General Information
Make Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Nikon Coolpix S8100
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-01-05 2010-09-08
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Expeed C2
Sensor type CCD BSI-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 alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 160
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) 30-300mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/3.5-5.6
Macro focusing distance 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 165 grams (0.36 lbs) 180 grams (0.40 lbs)
Physical dimensions 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 104 x 60 x 30mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 220 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-8L EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (10 or 2 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $159 $299