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Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax MX-1 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
  • Launched January 2010
Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
  • Introduced July 2013
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Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

Below, we are analyzing the Canon A3100 IS versus Pentax MX-1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Canon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the MX-1 (12MP) is fairly well matched but the A3100 IS (1/2.3") and MX-1 (1/1.7") come with different sensor measurements.

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The A3100 IS was announced 4 years prior to the MX-1 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a in depth comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the A3100 IS matches up against the MX-1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Pentax MX-1

 A3100 IS MX-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Canon A3100 IS

 MX-1 A3100 IS 
IntroducedJuly 2013January 2010Newer by 42 months
Manually focus More exact focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Pentax MX-1

 A3100 IS MX-1 
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon A3100 IS comes with exterior measurements of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) whilst the Pentax MX-1 has dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") and a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

Compare the Canon A3100 IS versus Pentax MX-1 in the new Camera and 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 are using at the time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the A3100 IS and the MX-1.

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A3100 IS and MX-1 is 94 and 84 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax MX-1 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions purely by checking a spec sheet. The image underneath might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the A3100 IS and MX-1.

As you can see, both of the cameras posses the exact same megapixels but different sensor dimensions. The A3100 IS includes the tinier sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower DOF tougher. The more aged A3100 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax MX-1 sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Portrait photography advice
Pentax MX-1 Portrait photography advice
21
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
42
manual focus
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Street photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Street photography camera
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
65
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
heavier than average (391g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Sports photography information
Pentax MX-1 Sports photography information
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
43
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (290 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Travel photography details
Pentax MX-1 Travel photography details
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
61
better than average battery pack (290 shots)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than average (391g)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Landscape photography advice
Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography advice
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
55
manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (290 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Vlogging advice
Pentax MX-1 Vlogging advice
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have mic support
33
rather wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
no external mic socket
heavier than average (391 grams)
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Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Pentax MX-1
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISPentax MX-1
General Information
Make Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Pentax MX-1
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-01-05 2013-07-01
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/1.8-2.5
Macro focusing distance 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 4.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 grams (0.36 lb) 391 grams (0.86 lb)
Dimensions 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 49
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 208
Other
Battery life - 290 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-8L D-Li-106
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $159 $400