Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS1
94 Imaging
35 Features
14 Overall
26


91 Imaging
33 Features
25 Overall
29
Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot A3100 IS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1. The whole galleries are provided at Canon A3100 IS Gallery and Panasonic ZS1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Panasonic ZS1
A3100 IS | ZS1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2010 | ![]() | May 2009 | More 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Equal display measurements |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS | Panasonic 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 |