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Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax E90

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Pentax Optio E90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
11
Overall
24

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax E90 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 E90
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 32-95mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 145g - 102 x 59 x 25mm
  • Released January 2010
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Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax E90 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Canon A3100 IS and Pentax E90, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the E90 (10MP) is pretty similar and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The A3100 IS was brought out around the same time to the E90 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a concise view of how the A3100 IS grades vs the E90 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Pentax E90

 A3100 IS E90 

Reasons to pick Pentax E90 over the Canon A3100 IS

 E90 A3100 IS 

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Pentax E90

 A3100 IS E90 
ReleasedJanuary 2010January 2010Similar age
Manual focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size2.7"2.7"Same screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax E90 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon A3100 IS offers outer 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 Pentax E90 has dimensions of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") having a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Examine the Canon A3100 IS and Pentax E90 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the A3100 IS and the E90.

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax E90 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the A3100 IS and E90 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax E90 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax E90 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to visualise the difference between sensor measurements only by reviewing technical specs. The photograph below should give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the A3100 IS and E90.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Canon A3100 IS to offer extra detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax E90 sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax E90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax E90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax E90 as a Portrait photography camera
20
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon A3100 IS
Street photography with Pentax E90
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
47
fixed screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Sports photography camera
Pentax E90 as a Sports photography camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
16
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon A3100 IS
Travel photography with Pentax E90
51
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
50
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
MP count low (10MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax E90 as a Landscape photography camera
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
22
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Vlogging highlights
Pentax E90 Vlogging highlights
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of mic jack
22
wide angle not great (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic jack
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Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax E90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Pentax E90
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISPentax Optio E90
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Pentax Optio E90
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-01-05 2010-01-25
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) 32-95mm (3.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance 3cm 6cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync -
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 165g (0.36 lb) 145g (0.32 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 102 x 59 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0")
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 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $159 $100