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Canon A3100 IS vs Sony HX30V

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Canon A3100 IS vs Sony HX30V 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
Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Revealed February 2012
  • Earlier Model is Sony HX20V
  • Newer Model is Sony HX50V
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Canon A3100 IS vs Sony HX30V Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Canon A3100 IS and Sony HX30V, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Canon and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap among the resolutions of the A3100 IS (12MP) and HX30V (18MP) but they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The A3100 IS was introduced 3 years earlier than the HX30V and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a in depth comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the A3100 IS matches up vs the HX30V for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Sony HX30V

 A3100 IS HX30V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Canon A3100 IS

 HX30V A3100 IS 
RevealedFebruary 2012January 2010More recent by 26 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kCrisper screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Sony HX30V

 A3100 IS HX30V 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Canon A3100 IS vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon A3100 IS has outside measurements of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) while the Sony HX30V has dimensions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Contrast the Canon A3100 IS and Sony HX30V in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at the time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the A3100 IS against the HX30V.

Canon A3100 IS vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A3100 IS and HX30V is 94 and 90 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to see the gap in sensor measurements purely by seeing technical specs. The photograph here might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the A3100 IS and HX30V.

As you have seen, each of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Sony HX30V to show greater detail using its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The older A3100 IS will be behind in sensor tech.

Canon A3100 IS vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Portrait photography camera
21
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
45
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
supports face detect focus
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon A3100 IS
Street photography with Sony HX30V
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (254 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Sports photography highlights
Sony HX30V Sports photography highlights
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
49
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
supports tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Travel photography advice
Sony HX30V Travel photography advice
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
69
lighter than competition (254g)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
missing Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Landscape photography details
Sony HX30V Landscape photography details
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
small screen (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
50
manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Vlogging information
Sony HX30V Vlogging information
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
34
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (254g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing mic port
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Canon A3100 IS vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Sony HX30V
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-01-05 2012-02-28
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing distance 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 7.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 165 gr (0.36 lbs) 254 gr (0.56 lbs)
Dimensions 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 320 shots
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-8L NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $159 $420