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Canon A3100 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34

Canon A3100 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ 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
  • Introduced January 2010
Olympus SP-820UZ
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-896mm (F3.4-5.7) lens
  • 485g - 117 x 78 x 93mm
  • Revealed August 2012
  • Replaced the Olympus SP-820UZ
  • Replacement is Olympus SP-820UZ
Photography Glossary

Canon A3100 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ Overview

Let's look a little more closely at the Canon A3100 IS and Olympus SP-820UZ, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Canon and Olympus. The resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the SP-820UZ (14MP) is fairly similar and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The A3100 IS was brought out 3 years earlier than the SP-820UZ and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise overview of how the A3100 IS grades vs the SP-820UZ with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 A3100 IS SP-820UZ 

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Canon A3100 IS

 SP-820UZ A3100 IS 
RevealedAugust 2012January 2010More recent by 31 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Olympus SP-820UZ

 A3100 IS SP-820UZ 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Canon A3100 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon A3100 IS enjoys exterior measurements of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) while the Olympus SP-820UZ has dimensions of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") accompanied by a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs).

Contrast the Canon A3100 IS and Olympus SP-820UZ in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is a front view size comparison of the A3100 IS against the SP-820UZ.

Canon A3100 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the A3100 IS and SP-820UZ is 94 and 69 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to see the difference between sensor measurements just by going over technical specs. The photograph below may give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the A3100 IS and SP-820UZ.

As you can tell, both cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Olympus SP-820UZ to offer greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images way more aggressively. The older A3100 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon A3100 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus SP-820UZ as a Portrait photography camera
21
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
34
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
supports face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon A3100 IS
Street photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
37
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
heavier than competition in class (485 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Sports photography camera
Olympus SP-820UZ as a Sports photography camera
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
33
incredible zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Travel photography information
Olympus SP-820UZ Travel photography information
51
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
55
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (22mm)
great zoom (896mm)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (485 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus SP-820UZ as a Landscape photography camera
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
35
rather wide (22mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Vlogging information
Olympus SP-820UZ Vlogging information
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external microphone port
25
rather wide (22mm)
supports face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
missing external mic support
heavier than competition in class (485g)
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Canon A3100 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Olympus SP-820UZ
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISOlympus Stylus SP-820UZ
General Information
Make Canon Olympus
Model Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-01-05 2012-08-21
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) 22-896mm (40.7x)
Highest aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/3.4-5.7
Macro focus distance 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 15.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 180 (30, 240 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic 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) 485 gr (1.07 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7")
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 model NB-8L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $159 $299