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Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax RZ10

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Pentax Optio RZ10 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax RZ10 Key Specs

Canon A3100 IS
(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
Pentax RZ10
(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
Photography Glossary

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").

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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.

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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 
ReleasedJuly 2011January 2010Newer by 18 months
Manual focus Very precise focus

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Pentax RZ10

 A3100 IS RZ10 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size2.7"2.7"Same screen size
Screen resolution230k230kExact 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax RZ10 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax RZ10 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax RZ10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon A3100 IS
Portrait photography with Pentax RZ10
21
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
35
manual focus
good MP (14MP)
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Street photography camera
Pentax RZ10 as a Street photography camera
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Sports photography information
Pentax RZ10 Sports photography information
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
40
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14MP)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery (178 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Travel photography information
Pentax RZ10 Travel photography information
51
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
66
environment proofing
good MP (14MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
long zoom (280mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
not so great battery (178 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax RZ10 as a Landscape photography camera
27
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
43
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14 megapixels)
environment proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
small screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
not so great battery (178 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Vlogging details
Pentax RZ10 Vlogging details
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have microphone support
28
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone jack
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Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax RZ10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Pentax RZ10
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISPentax 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