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Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS1

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 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
  • Released January 2010
Panasonic ZS1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Introduced May 2009
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ6
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Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Canon A3100 IS and Panasonic ZS1, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the ZS1 (10MP) is very comparable but the A3100 IS (1/2.3") and ZS1 (1/2.5") provide different sensor measurements.

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The A3100 IS was introduced 8 months after the ZS1 and they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick summary of how the A3100 IS grades against the ZS1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Panasonic ZS1

 A3100 IS ZS1 
IntroducedJanuary 2010May 2009More modern by 8 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Canon A3100 IS

 ZS1 A3100 IS 

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Panasonic ZS1

 A3100 IS ZS1 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display measurements
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon A3100 IS has exterior 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 Panasonic ZS1 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Look at the Canon A3100 IS and Panasonic ZS1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at the time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the A3100 IS compared to the ZS1.

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the A3100 IS and ZS1 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizes merely by checking out a spec sheet. The picture below may give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the A3100 IS and ZS1.

As you can see, each of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The A3100 IS using its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Canon A3100 IS will provide more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics more aggressively. The fresher A3100 IS provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS1 Portrait photography features
21
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
25
supports face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS1 Street photography highlights
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS1 Sports photography info
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon A3100 IS
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS1
51
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
63
lighter than competition in class (229g)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Landscape photography advice
Panasonic ZS1 Landscape photography advice
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
no Timelapse function
31
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
does not have RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS1 Vlogging highlights
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
no microphone port
31
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
lighter than competition in class (229g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of microphone port
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Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Panasonic ZS1
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ6
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-01-05 2009-05-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.5"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range 3cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 6.3
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 165 grams (0.36 lbs) 229 grams (0.50 lbs)
Physical dimensions 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $159 $0