Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax E90
94 Imaging
34 Features
14 Overall
26
94 Imaging
33 Features
11 Overall
24
Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax E90 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
- Launched January 2010
(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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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").
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe 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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Following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot A3100 IS & Pentax Optio E90. The entire galleries are available at Canon A3100 IS Gallery & Pentax E90 Gallery.
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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | January 2010 | January 2010 | Similar age | |
| Manual focus | No manual focusing | |||
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen size | 2.7" | 2.7" | Same screen dimensions | |
| Screen resolution | 230k | 230k | The 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax E90 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot A3100 IS | Pentax 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 |