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Canon A3100 IS vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Olympus XZ-2 iHS front
Portability
85
Imaging
37
Features
67
Overall
49

Canon A3100 IS vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS 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
  • Released January 2010
Olympus XZ-2 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 346g - 113 x 65 x 48mm
  • Released December 2012
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Canon A3100 IS vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Overview

Below is a comprehensive assessment of the Canon A3100 IS versus Olympus XZ-2 iHS, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Olympus. The image resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the XZ-2 iHS (12MP) is pretty close but the A3100 IS (1/2.3") and XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") use different sensor size.

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The A3100 IS was brought out 3 years prior to the XZ-2 iHS and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the A3100 IS scores vs the XZ-2 iHS in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Olympus XZ-2 iHS

 A3100 IS XZ-2 iHS 

Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-2 iHS over the Canon A3100 IS

 XZ-2 iHS A3100 IS 
ReleasedDecember 2012January 2010More recent by 35 months
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Olympus XZ-2 iHS

 A3100 IS XZ-2 iHS 
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Canon A3100 IS vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon A3100 IS has physical measurements of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) while the Olympus XZ-2 iHS has sizing of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon A3100 IS versus Olympus XZ-2 iHS in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is the front view size comparison of the A3100 IS compared to the XZ-2 iHS.

Canon A3100 IS vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the A3100 IS and XZ-2 iHS is 94 and 85 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to visualize the gap in sensor measurements just by looking through technical specs. The photograph underneath might give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the A3100 IS and XZ-2 iHS.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras have got the exact same resolution albeit different sensor measurements. The A3100 IS offers the smaller sensor which will make obtaining shallow DOF harder. The older A3100 IS will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Canon A3100 IS vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Portrait photography features
Olympus XZ-2 iHS Portrait photography features
21
no manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
46
manual focus
offers face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Street photography info
Olympus XZ-2 iHS Street photography info
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
66
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
heavier than competitors (346g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Sports photography factors
Olympus XZ-2 iHS Sports photography factors
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
43
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking autofocus
good battery (340 per charge)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Travel photography highlights
Olympus XZ-2 iHS Travel photography highlights
51
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
61
good battery (340 per charge)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors (346 grams)
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Landscape photography information
Olympus XZ-2 iHS Landscape photography information
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Timelapse recording
55
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
good battery (340 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Vlogging camera
Olympus XZ-2 iHS as a Vlogging camera
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
no microphone socket
36
decently wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external mic port
display is not selfie friendly
heavier than competitors (346 grams)
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Canon A3100 IS vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Olympus XZ-2 iHS
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISOlympus XZ-2 iHS
General Information
Company Canon Olympus
Model type Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Olympus XZ-2 iHS
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2010-01-05 2012-12-18
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 3968 x 2976
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 35
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/1.8-2.5
Macro focusing distance 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 8.60 m (ISO 800)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 165 grams (0.36 lbs) 346 grams (0.76 lbs)
Dimensions 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 113 x 65 x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 49
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 216
Other
Battery life - 340 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-8L Li-90B
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $159 $450