Canon A3100 IS vs Samsung WB750: An Expert’s Hands-On Comparison for Practical Photographers

Choosing a compact camera in today’s smartphone-saturated world means your grab-and-go shooter has to deliver on convenience, image quality, and versatility - especially if you want better results than your phone can offer. I’ve spent weeks putting the Canon PowerShot A3100 IS up against the Samsung WB750, two small sensor compacts that launched around the early 2010s but still offer insights relevant to entry-level compacts.

This detailed comparison (all 2500 words of it) draws on years of testing experience and practical usage scenarios. Whether you’re an enthusiast on a budget, a traveler seeking lightweight backup gear, or someone who craves simple manual controls alongside zoom flexibility, I’ll help you weigh these cameras’ strengths - and pitfalls - in real-world photography.

Let’s dive in.

Getting a Hands-On Feel: Design, Ergonomics, and Control Layouts

First impressions matter, especially with compacts you want to slip neatly into a pocket or small bag. Though both cameras fit the “compact” category, they do so with distinctly different design philosophies.

Canon A3100 IS - The Lightweight Pocket Buddy

At just 165 grams and 97x58x28 mm, the Canon A3100 IS feels really light and comfortable for casual snaps. It’s not the most substantial chunk of plastic you’ll hold, but the grip and button placement mostly cater to snapshots without worrying about configurations or fiddling.

Samsung packs in a 4× zoom (35-140mm equivalent) here, offering modest reach without compromising pocketability. The screen holds firm with a fixed 2.7-inch 230k-dot LCD - basic but serviceable. The Canon offers no viewfinder.

Samsung WB750 - A Compact Zoom Powerhouse

While still a compact, the WB750 tips the scales at 193 grams with a slightly larger footprint (105x59x25 mm). It’s surprisingly slim despite an 18× superzoom lens reaching 24-432mm equivalents. That’s a huge telephoto range for a compact, enabling far more framing freedom.

The 3-inch 460k-dot TFT LCD is sharper and more visually rewarding than the Canon’s screen, making for easier on-the-fly composition and review. No viewfinder here either.

The Top View and Button Layout Show Us What?

Looking at their tops shows the Canon’s minimalist approach - a simple shutter release, zoom toggle, and mode dial with no clubs for thumbs to wrestle with. By contrast, the WB750 dedicates more real estate to a manual zoom ring on the lens barrel, manual focus switch, and plenty of physical dials.

This points to the WB750 catering more toward enthusiast style shooters who want manual aperture or shutter priority modes, while the A3100 IS keeps things super straightforward.

Quick takeaway: If you want simple, no-fuss point-and-shoot, Canon’s lighter form and basic controls might charm you. If you want more tactile settings control and longer reach, Samsung’s larger but still pocketable WB750 wins.

Sensor Tech and Image Quality: CCD vs BSI-CMOS in the Same Ballpark

Both cameras share the same sensor size: 1/2.3" (6.17x4.55mm), but the sensors couldn’t be more different in age and technology, impacting image quality and low-light performance.

Canon’s CCD Sensor in the A3100 IS

Outputting 12 megapixels on a CCD sensor, Canon’s dated technology was common in budget compacts a decade ago. CCDs deliver decent image quality but traditionally struggle more with noise at higher ISOs and dynamic range.

Maximum sensitivity tops out at ISO 1600, with a base ISO 100. No RAW capture here (JPEG only), limiting post-processing flexibility. Also, no sophisticated noise reduction or sensor designs that CMOS brings.

Samsung’s BSI-CMOS Sensor in the WB750

BSI (Backside Illuminated) CMOS sensors are leaps ahead for compact cameras. The WB750 offers 13 megapixels with better high ISO capabilities (up to ISO 3200) and improved dynamic range.

Though similar physical sensor areas mean optical limitations remain (depth of field, diffraction), Samsung’s sensor produces cleaner images at higher ISOs and better colors in mixed light.

Real-World Impact

In practical shooting, the Samsung delivers noticeably sharper, clearer images outside perfect sunlight conditions - especially handheld indoors or dusk scenes. The Canon stumbles beyond ISO 400, exhibiting more grain and color washout.

Portraits? Samsung’s better sensor and autofocus means more natural skin tones and detail.

Landscapes? More resolution and dynamic range favor WB750.

Low-light? Clear advantage to Samsung.

The Samsung’s sensor tech marks a clear image quality advantage that’s a game-changer if you value sharpness and low-light versatility.

Display and User Interface: A Tale of Two Screens

While neither camera offers touchscreens or electronic viewfinders, LCD quality and UI responsiveness affect your shooting experience.

Samsung’s 3-inch 460k-dot TFT color LCD is bright, vibrant, and easier to compose on. Even under shade, it outperforms Canon’s 2.7-inch 230k-dot fixed screen, which shows pixelation and low brightness.

Samsung’s interface supports on-screen overlays showing exposure settings, histogram, and more, useful for fine-tuning shots. Canon’s UI is more stripped down, focusing on simple scene mode icons without real manual control feedback (since they’re absent).

In summary: Samsung wins on screen quality and interface sophistication.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Burst Fire

Fast and accurate autofocus is a huge factor for usability in dynamic shooting conditions.

• Canon A3100 IS: 9-point contrast-detection AF, no face or tracking capabilities, single shot AF only, no continuous focus. Tight focusing speeds with some hunting in low light.
• Samsung WB750: Contrast detection too, but with face detection, center-weighted, and multi-area AF. Also uniquely features AF tracking (useful for moving subjects). Allows continuous AF (though limited), and crucially manual focus option.

On burst shooting, Canon is stuck at a slow 1 fps continuous rate - fine for landscapes or posed portraits but not candid moments or action. Samsung walks away with 10 fps burst capability at lower resolution, great for wildlife or sports.

Practical Outcomes

• Sports and Wildlife: Samsung WB750’s faster AF, tracking, and burst simply shine here.
• Street and Travel: Canon’s slow single-shot AF and absence of tracking make it frustrating to catch fleeting moments.
• Portraits: Both can lock focus capably on static subjects, but Samsung’s face detection removes guesswork.

Lens and Zoom Range: The Long Reach Advantage

Samsung’s WB750 boasts a massive 18× optical zoom (24-432mm equivalent). This gives flexibility from wide-angle landscapes to distant wildlife.

Canon’s A3100 IS limits you to 4× zoom (35-140mm equivalent) - respectable but much less versatile.

The tradeoff? Samsung’s longer lens results in more optical complexity and slightly slower apertures at telephoto (F5.8 max aperture), but the reach is undeniable.

Canon’s wider aperture at the wide end (F2.7 vs Samsung’s F3.2) may give slightly better low-light wide-angle shots but is of minor consolation compared to the vast focal length differences.

Exposure Controls and Creative Modes

Samsung WB750 offers basic Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and full Manual exposure modes, catering to enthusiasts who want creative control.

Canon A3100 IS lacks all manual modes; you’re stuck with scene modes and automatic exposure.

Exposure compensation? Available only on the Samsung.

White balance bracketing: Only on Samsung.

From a creative control standpoint, WB750 takes the crown. As someone who tests cameras daily, lack of manual controls on the Canon feels limiting beyond casual snapshots.

Video Recording Capabilities: HD vs VGA

Video is an increasingly important feature even in compacts.

• Canon A3100 IS: Maximum video resolution is VGA (640x480) at 30 fps, compressed in Motion JPEG - a notably low spec now relic of the past.
• Samsung WB750: Full HD 1080p at 30 fps support with H.264 compression and MPEG-4 format comes as a surprise given its vintage.

Samsung even supports multiple frame rate options (720p at 30/15fps), making it better for casual video enthusiasts.

Neither camera has microphone or headphone jacks, limiting external audio.

Bottom line: If video quality matters (even casual HD), Samsung hands down.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Both cameras are plastic-built compacts without weather sealing or ruggedization.

Neither are shockproof, waterproof, dustproof, or freeze-proof, so treat them as basic companions.

Build quality-wise, the Samsung’s more solid feel and weight help it feel more durable in the hand.

Battery Life and Storage

Both share SD card compatibility, with the Samsung supporting SDHC and SDXC formats, while the Canon includes MMC support as well.

Battery life depends on the proprietary rechargeable models: Canon NB-8L and Samsung SLB-10A respectively.

Based on my experience testing similar digicams, expect moderately short shooting durations (around 200-300 shots typical), so packing spare batteries is recommended.

Wireless and Connectivity Features

Neither camera offers wireless, Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS options, which is not unexpected for their era and price point.

Samsung WB750’s inclusion of an HDMI port adds a welcome easy out for directly reviewing images and video on HDTVs.

Real-World Photography Performance Across Genres

To bring my findings alive, I ran thorough testing spanning the major photography disciplines readers like you care about.

Portrait Photography

Samsung’s better face detection autofocus bolstered by a more flexible lens range lets you float between flattering focal lengths and tight headshots. Colors are more natural, skin smoothness better, and bokeh achieves pleasing background isolation at telephoto. Canon’s limited zoom and lack of face detection mean you must get closer for portraits, risking distorted perspectives and compromised background blur.

Landscape Photography

Canon’s modest zoom falls short for sweeping vistas or isolating distant peaks. Samsung’s wide 24mm equivalent is great for broad views, and the higher resolution plus better dynamic range preserve shadows and highlights well. For landscape photographers shooting RAW on DSLRs, these are entry-level backups, but Samsung’s results remain more satisfying overall.

Wildlife Photography

I was pleasantly surprised by Samsung’s burst rate and AF tracking. While not comparable to dedicated super-telephoto DSLRs, the 432mm reach lets you frame wildlife at a distance. The Canon’s slow 1 fps and short 140mm zoom hamstring it for this genre.

Sports Photography

Here the WB750 again outperforms thanks to fast burst and AF tracking, though processor limitations yield slight lag. Canon’s single shot mode can barely keep up with action.

Street Photography

While the Canon’s smaller size and simpler operation are attractive for unobtrusive street shooting, slow AF and limited reach hurt candid opportunities. Samsung, though bulkier, offers more versatility but demands more handling time, which may blow cover.

Macro Photography

Canon focuses as close as 3 cm, Samsung at 5 cm. The difference is noticeable for close-up detail. Neither has advanced focus stacking or bracketing. Image stabilization helps handheld macros moderately on both.

Night and Astro Photography

Samsung’s higher max ISO (3200 vs Canon 1600) and better noise performance help push handheld night shots further. Long exposures possible on both, but neither has bulb mode nor astrophotography-optimized features.

Video Use

Samsung allows HD video recording, appealing to vlogging or casual movie shooting. Canon’s VGA video is less practical.

Travel Photography

For travel, the WB750’s larger zoom all-in-one makes it a compelling carry-on. Canon’s lighter body and simpler controls suit travelers seeking no-fuss capture.

Professional Usage Considerations

Neither camera is intended for serious professional use. No RAW, limited dynamic range, and modest sensors limit post-processing. Samsung offers more control but both are firmly entry-level compacts.

Scorecard: Overall and Genre-Specific Performance

These objective and subjective measures distilled from extensive testing help compare cameras' practical merit:

• Samsung WB750 scores higher overall due to advanced sensor, manual controls, zoom range, and video.
• Canon A3100 IS scores best as a lightweight budget snapshot solution.

Price and Value Analysis

Canon A3100 IS is significantly cheaper (~$160) while Samsung WB750 retails at around $340, reflecting the technology and features gap.

If your budget is tight and you want a simple pocketable camera for casual family photos, Canon delivers baseline value.

For anyone seeking performance, zoom, or manual control improvements, Samsung offers much better bang for the buck - even if you pay a bit more.

Pros and Cons Summary

Feature	Canon A3100 IS	Samsung WB750
Pros	Very compact and lightweight	Large 18× zoom lens
	Simple point-and-shoot operation	Manual exposure & focus modes
	Optical image stabilization	Better sensor with higher ISO range
	Basic yet effective autofocus (static)	Face detection and AF tracking
	Affordable price point	HD video recording capability
	Compatible with multiple card formats	HDMI output for direct playback
Cons	Small 4× zoom range	Slightly larger and heavier
	Slow and single shot continuous AF	No RAW or external mic support
	Lower-resolution, low-res LCD	No viewfinder, limited battery life
	No manual exposure modes	Some menu complexity for beginners
	VGA video only	Higher price than Canon

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Buy the Canon A3100 IS if:

• You’re a cheapskate on a strict budget who just wants casual travel or family photos.
• You prefer a tiny, light camera with easy, no-frills buttons.
• Shooting is mostly in daylight and close-up portraits or snapshots.

Choose the Samsung WB750 if:

• You want a versatile superzoom for landscapes, wildlife, or casual sports.
• You want manual control over aperture and shutter to learn exposure creatively.
• You want to shoot HD video and need better low-light performance.
• You appreciate a higher-quality screen and more capable autofocus features.

Final Verdict: Which Compact Wins?

In the battle of early-2010s compact digicams, the Samsung WB750 is the superior all-rounder with its advanced sensor, ultra-long zoom, manual controls, and HD video. It earned its slightly higher price tag through greater versatility and image quality that stands up reasonably well even today.

That said, the Canon A3100 IS has its place - serving as a pocketable, straightforward snapshot camera for budget-minded beginners or users wanting a backup that just works. It’s light, easy to use, and affordable but highly limited beyond daylight shots due to slow AF and lack of manual control.

From my hands-on experience testing thousands of cameras, I can honestly say that if you budget allows and you want more creative potential and better image quality, go with the Samsung WB750. If you just want a simple little camera without fuss for snapshots, the Canon does the job for half the price.

A Little Nod to the Past, a Step Toward the Future

Both of these little mighty compacts may be relics compared to today’s mirrorless and smartphone innovations, but they highlight key differences that persist in camera design: sensor technology, zoom reach, manual control, and user interface.

If nothing else, they serve as friendly reminders that investing in better sensor quality, manual shooting options, and thoughtful ergonomics pays off when it comes to truly enjoying photography.

Happy shooting - and keep those cameras clicking!