Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS5
94 Imaging
35 Features
14 Overall
26


92 Imaging
35 Features
30 Overall
33
Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced January 2010
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
- 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
- Introduced June 2010
- Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ8

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview
Its time to examine more in depth at the Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS5, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the ZS5 (12MP) is relatively comparable and they feature the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The A3100 IS was announced 5 months prior to the ZS5 so they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go in to a full comparison, below is a quick view of how the A3100 IS grades against the ZS5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot A3100 IS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5. The whole galleries are viewable at Canon A3100 IS Gallery and Panasonic ZS5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Panasonic ZS5
A3100 IS | ZS5 |
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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Canon A3100 IS
ZS5 | A3100 IS |
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Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Panasonic ZS5
A3100 IS | ZS5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2010 | ![]() | June 2010 | Same generation |
Manually focus | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimension | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Identical screen measurements |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither has Touch screen |
Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Canon A3100 IS has outside dimensions of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS5 has specifications of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).
Examine the Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the A3100 IS compared to the ZS5.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the A3100 IS and ZS5 is 94 and 92 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it's hard to picture the difference in sensor sizes just by checking out specifications. The image below will help offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A3100 IS and ZS5.
Plainly, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact MP so you should expect comparable quality of files but you would want to consider the production date of the cameras into account.

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Panasonic |
Model | Canon PowerShot A3100 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 |
Also called as | - | Lumix DMC-TZ8 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2010-01-05 | 2010-06-16 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Venus Engine HD II |
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 surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 35-140mm (4.0x) | 25-300mm (12.0x) |
Max aperture | f/2.7-5.6 | f/3.3-4.9 |
Macro focus distance | 3cm | 3cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 2.7 inch | 2.7 inch |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 60 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/1300 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames per sec | 2.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | 5.30 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone 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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 165g (0.36 lb) | 214g (0.47 lb) |
Dimensions | 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Retail pricing | $159 | $300 |