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Canon A3100 IS vs Sony W230

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Canon A3100 IS vs Sony W230 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 W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Released February 2009
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Canon A3100 IS vs Sony W230 Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Canon A3100 IS and Sony W230, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Canon and Sony. The resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the W230 (12MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras have the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The A3100 IS was unveiled 11 months after the W230 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the A3100 IS matches up vs the W230 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Sony W230

 A3100 IS W230 
ReleasedJanuary 2010February 2009More modern by 11 months

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Canon A3100 IS

 W230 A3100 IS 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Sony W230

 A3100 IS W230 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Canon A3100 IS vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Canon A3100 IS has got outside dimensions of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) whilst the Sony W230 has measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Look at the Canon A3100 IS and Sony W230 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the A3100 IS against the W230.

Canon A3100 IS vs Sony W230 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A3100 IS and W230 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to see the contrast between sensor sizes simply by looking at a spec sheet. The picture here will help give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the A3100 IS and W230.

As you can see, both cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same MP therefore you can expect similar quality of photos although you should always factor the launch date of the products into consideration. The newer A3100 IS will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Canon A3100 IS vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon A3100 IS
Portrait photography with Sony W230
21
no manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
27
you can focus manually
no manual control
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Street photography details
Sony W230 Street photography details
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon A3100 IS
Sports photography with Sony W230
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Travel photography camera
Sony W230 as a Travel photography camera
51
flash built-in
missing Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W230 as a Landscape photography camera
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
36
you can focus manually
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Vlogging advice
Sony W230 Vlogging advice
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
missing external microphone support
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have microphone socket
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Canon A3100 IS vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Sony W230
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-01-05 2009-02-17
Physical type 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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias 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
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focusing distance 3cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 1 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 165g (0.36 lb) 156g (0.34 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 ID 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
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $159 $180