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Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic S3

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
36
Features
24
Overall
31

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic S3 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
  • Launched January 2010
Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2011
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Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic S3 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic S3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the S3 (14MP) is pretty close and they come with the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The A3100 IS was unveiled 12 months before the S3 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the A3100 IS scores vs the S3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Panasonic S3

 A3100 IS S3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Canon A3100 IS

 S3 A3100 IS 
RevealedJanuary 2011January 2010Fresher by 12 months

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Panasonic S3

 A3100 IS S3 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon A3100 IS features 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 Panasonic S3 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

See the Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic S3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use at that moment. Following is the front view size comparison of the A3100 IS and the S3.

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A3100 IS and S3 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to see the contrast in sensor sizing merely by researching technical specs. The graphic here will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the A3100 IS and S3.

As you have seen, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Panasonic S3 to provide you with greater detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The older A3100 IS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Portrait photography factors
Panasonic S3 Portrait photography factors
20
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
28
megapixel count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Street photography info
Panasonic S3 Street photography info
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (117g)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon A3100 IS
Sports photography with Panasonic S3
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
34
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Travel photography highlights
Panasonic S3 Travel photography highlights
51
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
68
lighter than others (117 grams)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Landscape photography features
Panasonic S3 Landscape photography features
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
37
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Vlogging factors
Panasonic S3 Vlogging factors
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have microphone port
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (117g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic support
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Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Panasonic S3
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-01-05 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focusing distance 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 8s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
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) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 165g (0.36 lb) 117g (0.26 lb)
Dimensions 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 250 pictures
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-8L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $159 $110