Canon A3100 IS vs Sony W230
94 Imaging
35 Features
14 Overall
26


95 Imaging
34 Features
25 Overall
30
Canon A3100 IS vs Sony W230 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon A3100 IS vs Sony W230 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot A3100 IS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230. The full galleries are viewable at Canon A3100 IS Gallery & Sony W230 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Sony W230
A3100 IS | W230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2010 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 11 months |
Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Canon A3100 IS
W230 | A3100 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Sony W230
A3100 IS | W230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Sony W230 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS | Sony 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 |