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Canon A3100 IS vs Sony S950

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Canon A3100 IS vs Sony S950 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
  • Announced January 2010
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Released February 2009
Photography Glossary

Canon A3100 IS vs Sony S950 Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Canon A3100 IS and Sony S950, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the S950 (10MP) is fairly close and both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The A3100 IS was manufactured 11 months after the S950 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise summation of how the A3100 IS scores vs the S950 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Sony S950

 A3100 IS S950 
ReleasedJanuary 2010February 2009More modern by 11 months

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Canon A3100 IS

 S950 A3100 IS 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Sony S950

 A3100 IS S950 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display measurements
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Canon A3100 IS vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Canon A3100 IS offers outside measurements of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) and the Sony S950 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Canon A3100 IS and Sony S950 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the A3100 IS compared to the S950.

Canon A3100 IS vs Sony S950 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the A3100 IS and S950 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizes just by researching technical specs. The picture underneath might provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the A3100 IS and S950.

As you can tell, both cameras come with the identical sensor size but different MP. You should anticipate the Canon A3100 IS to provide you with greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will let you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more recent A3100 IS provides a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Canon A3100 IS vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon A3100 IS
Portrait photography with Sony S950
21
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
26
manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Street photography highlights
Sony S950 Street photography highlights
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon A3100 IS
Sports photography with Sony S950
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
24
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon A3100 IS
Travel photography with Sony S950
51
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
50
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
low megapixels (10MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Landscape photography factors
Sony S950 Landscape photography factors
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Timelapse function
31
manual focus
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Vlogging camera
Sony S950 as a Vlogging camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
no microphone jack
9
no video
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Canon A3100 IS vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Sony S950
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Make Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-01-05 2009-02-17
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 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
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 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 3cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 640x480 None
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 165 grams (0.36 lb) 167 grams (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $159 $130