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Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic SZ8 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
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Released January 2014
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Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Lets take a deeper look at the Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic SZ8, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Canon and Panasonic. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the A3100 IS (12MP) and SZ8 (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The A3100 IS was manufactured 5 years earlier than the SZ8 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the A3100 IS matches up vs the SZ8 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Panasonic SZ8

 A3100 IS SZ8 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Canon A3100 IS

 SZ8 A3100 IS 
ReleasedJanuary 2014January 2010Newer by 48 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Panasonic SZ8

 A3100 IS SZ8 
Manual focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera, you are going to need to factor in 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") accompanied by a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ8 has dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Contrast the Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic SZ8 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the A3100 IS versus the SZ8.

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the A3100 IS and SZ8 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to see the difference in sensor dimensions simply by viewing specifications. The picture below may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the A3100 IS and SZ8.

Plainly, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Panasonic SZ8 to result in more detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images more aggressively. The more aged A3100 IS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon A3100 IS
Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ8
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
35
good resolution (16MP)
includes face detection autofocus
no manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Street photography information
Panasonic SZ8 Street photography information
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (159 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon A3100 IS
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
34
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (200 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
67
lighter than competitors in class (159g)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
very long reach (288mm)
lack of Timelapse function
bad battery life (200 shots)
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon A3100 IS
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ8
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Timelapse function
42
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
bad battery life (200 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Vlogging highlights
Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging highlights
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
no microphone jack
32
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (159 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone socket
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Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Panasonic SZ8
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Company Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2010-01-05 2014-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 5.20 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance 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) 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 165 gr (0.36 pounds) 159 gr (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 - 200 photographs
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-8L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $159 $275