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Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax W90

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax W90 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
  • Announced January 2010
Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Launched February 2010
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Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax W90 Overview

Here is a comprehensive assessment of the Canon A3100 IS versus Pentax W90, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Waterproof by competitors Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the W90 (12MP) is relatively similar and they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The A3100 IS was manufactured very close to the W90 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a full comparison, below is a brief view of how the A3100 IS grades versus the W90 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Pentax W90

 A3100 IS W90 

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Canon A3100 IS

 W90 A3100 IS 
Manually focus Very exact focusing

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Pentax W90

 A3100 IS W90 
LaunchedJanuary 2010February 2010Similar age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen size
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera, you will need to factor its weight and volume. The Canon A3100 IS features exterior dimensions of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) while the Pentax W90 has sizing of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") along with a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Contrast the Canon A3100 IS versus Pentax W90 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have during that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the A3100 IS vs the W90.

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the A3100 IS and W90 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to picture the gap between sensor sizing merely by going over technical specs. The photograph below may give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the A3100 IS and W90.

As you can tell, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact resolution therefore you can expect similar quality of photographs however you will want to factor the age of the products into consideration.

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax W90 sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Portrait photography camera
20
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
27
you can focus manually
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon A3100 IS
Street photography with Pentax W90
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
54
weather proofing
no moving screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Sports photography info
Pentax W90 Sports photography info
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
24
weather proofing
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Travel photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Travel photography camera
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
64
weather proofing
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon A3100 IS
Landscape photography with Pentax W90
27
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual exposure
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
36
you can focus manually
decently wide (28mm)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Vlogging advice
Pentax W90 Vlogging advice
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
missing external microphone socket
25
decently wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone support
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Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Pentax W90
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISPentax Optio W90
General Information
Make Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Pentax Optio W90
Type Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Announced 2010-01-05 2010-02-24
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 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, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 165 gr (0.36 lb) 164 gr (0.36 lb)
Dimensions 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" 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 feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail price $159 $120