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Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS50

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 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
  • Announced January 2010
Panasonic ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Revealed January 2015
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS45
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS60
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Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Overview

The following is a extended overview of the Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS50, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the ZS50 (12MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The A3100 IS was unveiled 6 years before the ZS50 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a thorough comparison, here is a simple summation of how the A3100 IS matches up vs the ZS50 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Panasonic ZS50

 A3100 IS ZS50 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Canon A3100 IS

 ZS50 A3100 IS 
RevealedJanuary 2015January 2010Newer by 60 months
Manual focus More exact focus
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1040k230kCrisper display (+810k dot)

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Panasonic ZS50

 A3100 IS ZS50 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Canon A3100 IS features physical measurements 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 ZS50 has specifications of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs).

See the Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select during that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the A3100 IS vs the ZS50.

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the A3100 IS and ZS50 is 94 and 90 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to see the contrast between sensor dimensions only by looking at technical specs. The pic below will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the A3100 IS and ZS50.

As you can tell, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the exact same megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of photographs although you might want to consider the age of the products into consideration. The more aged A3100 IS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon A3100 IS
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS50
21
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
42
you can focus manually
features face detection focus
delivers RAW files
external flash not possible
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Street photography features
Panasonic ZS50 Street photography features
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
68
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
lighter than others in class (243g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS50 Sports photography factors
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
43
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS50 Travel photography highlights
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
low MP (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
66
lighter than others in class (243 grams)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS50 Landscape photography features
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
51
you can focus manually
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS50 as a Vlogging camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external microphone jack
34
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (243g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic jack
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Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Panasonic ZS50
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
General Information
Company Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ70
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-01-05 2015-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 6.40 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
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 165 gr (0.36 lb) 243 gr (0.54 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 44
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.2
DXO Low light score not tested 138
Other
Battery life - 300 shots
Form of battery - Battery Pack
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/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $159 $350