Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax RZ10
94 Imaging
35 Features
14 Overall
26


92 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34
Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax RZ10 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 35-140mm (F2.7-5.6) lens
- 165g - 97 x 58 x 28mm
- Revealed January 2010
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-280mm (F3.2-5.9) lens
- 178g - 97 x 61 x 33mm
- Released July 2011

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax RZ10 Overview
Here, we will be reviewing the Canon A3100 IS and Pentax RZ10, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the RZ10 (14MP) is pretty similar and both cameras have the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

The A3100 IS was revealed 18 months before the RZ10 which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the A3100 IS matches up against the RZ10 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax RZ10 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot A3100 IS and Pentax Optio RZ10. The full galleries are available at Canon A3100 IS Gallery and Pentax RZ10 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Pentax RZ10
A3100 IS | RZ10 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax RZ10 over the Canon A3100 IS
RZ10 | A3100 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | July 2011 | ![]() | January 2010 | Newer by 18 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very precise focus |
Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Pentax RZ10
A3100 IS | RZ10 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Same screen size |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch friendly screen |
Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax RZ10 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon A3100 IS features physical dimensions of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) while the Pentax RZ10 has sizing of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).
Analyze the Canon A3100 IS and Pentax RZ10 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have at the time. Below is a front view size comparison of the A3100 IS versus the RZ10.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A3100 IS and RZ10 is 94 and 92 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax RZ10 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very hard to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions simply by reading specs. The image below might provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A3100 IS and RZ10.
As you can plainly see, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should expect the Pentax RZ10 to offer greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures way more aggressively. The more aged A3100 IS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax RZ10 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax RZ10 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS | Pentax Optio RZ10 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Pentax |
Model | Canon PowerShot A3100 IS | Pentax Optio RZ10 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2010-01-05 | 2011-07-19 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4288 x 3216 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 35-140mm (4.0x) | 28-280mm (10.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/2.7-5.6 | f/3.2-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | 3cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.7 inch | 2.7 inch |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display tech | - | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15s | 4s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | 2.80 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB 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) | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 165g (0.36 lb) | 178g (0.39 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
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 life | - | 178 images |
Style of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | NB-8L | D-LI92 |
Self timer | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at launch | $159 | $200 |