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Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax P80

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Pentax Optio P80 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
23
Overall
29

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax P80 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
  • Introduced January 2010
Pentax P80
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F2.6-5.8) lens
  • 125g - 102 x 59 x 25mm
  • Released August 2009
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Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax P80 Overview

Here is a thorough review of the Canon A3100 IS versus Pentax P80, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the P80 (12MP) is fairly similar and they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The A3100 IS was unveiled 6 months later than the P80 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a brief overview of how the A3100 IS grades vs the P80 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Pentax P80

 A3100 IS P80 

Reasons to pick Pentax P80 over the Canon A3100 IS

 P80 A3100 IS 
Focus manually Dial exact focus

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Pentax P80

 A3100 IS P80 
ReleasedJanuary 2010August 2009Similar age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent display measurements
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax P80 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon A3100 IS provides outer dimensions of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) while the Pentax P80 has proportions of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") having a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Look at the Canon A3100 IS versus Pentax P80 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the A3100 IS compared to the P80.

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax P80 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A3100 IS and P80 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax P80 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax P80 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing purely by reading technical specs. The visual below might provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the A3100 IS and P80.

As you have seen, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of photos although you should really factor the launch date of the products into consideration.

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax P80 sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax P80 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax P80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Portrait photography details
Pentax P80 Portrait photography details
20
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
27
you can focus manually
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Street photography details
Pentax P80 Street photography details
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
55
lighter than average (125g)
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Sports photography factors
Pentax P80 Sports photography factors
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
17
max shutter speed is low (1/1,000s)
max fps low (3.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Travel photography camera
Pentax P80 as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
61
lighter than average (125 grams)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Landscape photography info
Pentax P80 Landscape photography info
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
32
you can focus manually
pretty wide (28mm)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Vlogging factors
Pentax P80 Vlogging factors
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
missing mic jack
28
pretty wide (28mm)
lighter than average (125g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic jack
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Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax P80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Pentax P80
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISPentax Optio P80
General Information
Company Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Pentax Optio P80
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-01-05 2009-08-05
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 64
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Max aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/2.6-5.8
Macro focus distance 3cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 4.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB 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 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 165 grams (0.36 pounds) 125 grams (0.28 pounds)
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 D-LI68
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 price $159 $200