Clicky

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S9100

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S9100 front
Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
41
Overall
37

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S9100 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 S9100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 105 x 62 x 35mm
  • Launched July 2011
  • Later Model is Nikon S9300
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S9100 Overview

Following is a thorough comparison of the Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S9100, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the S9100 (12MP) is pretty close and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The A3100 IS was brought out 18 months earlier than the S9100 which makes them a generation away from each other. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick summation of how the A3100 IS scores against the S9100 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

        

Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Nikon S9100

 A3100 IS S9100 

Reasons to pick Nikon S9100 over the Canon A3100 IS

 S9100 A3100 IS 
LaunchedJuly 2011January 2010More modern by 18 months
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Nikon S9100

 A3100 IS S9100 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S9100 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to think about its weight and volume. The Canon A3100 IS enjoys physical dimensions of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) whilst the Nikon S9100 has sizing of 105mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Check the Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S9100 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the A3100 IS compared to the S9100.

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S9100 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the A3100 IS and S9100 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S9100 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S9100 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizes only by researching specifications. The picture underneath may provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A3100 IS and S9100.

Plainly, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same exact megapixels so you can expect comparable quality of files however you will need to factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The more aged A3100 IS will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S9100 sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S9100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S9100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Portrait photography advice
Nikon S9100 Portrait photography advice
20
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
32
has manual focus
offers face detect autofocus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Street photography details
Nikon S9100 Street photography details
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (214g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Sports photography factors
Nikon S9100 Sports photography factors
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
36
incredible zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (270 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon A3100 IS
Travel photography with Nikon S9100
51
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
61
lighter than average in class (214g)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (450mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (270 per charge)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Landscape Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Landscape photography advice
Nikon S9100 Landscape photography advice
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not available
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Timelapse recording
39
has manual focus
fairly wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
not so great battery life (270 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon S9100 as a Vlogging camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
no external microphone jack
34
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (214g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly display
lack of mic socket
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S9100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Nikon S9100
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISNikon Coolpix S9100
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Nikon Coolpix S9100
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2010-01-05 2011-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - 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 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 160
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Max aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus distance 3cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 4.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 165 gr (0.36 lbs) 214 gr (0.47 lbs)
Physical dimensions 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 105 x 62 x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 270 photographs
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-8L EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (10 or 2 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $159 $329