Canon ELPH 180 vs Nikon S3100
96 Imaging
46 Features
24 Overall
37


96 Imaging
37 Features
23 Overall
31
Canon ELPH 180 vs Nikon S3100 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-224mm (F3.2-6.9) lens
- 126g - 95 x 54 x 22mm
- Announced January 2016
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
- 118g - 94 x 58 x 18mm
- Launched February 2011

Canon ELPH 180 vs Nikon S3100 Overview
Its time to look more closely at the Canon ELPH 180 vs Nikon S3100, both Ultracompact digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the ELPH 180 (20MP) and S3100 (14MP) but both cameras have the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The ELPH 180 was unveiled 4 years after the S3100 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).
Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a short view of how the ELPH 180 scores against the S3100 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon ELPH 180 vs Nikon S3100 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 & Nikon Coolpix S3100. The full galleries are available at Canon ELPH 180 Gallery & Nikon S3100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 180 over the Nikon S3100
ELPH 180 | S3100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2016 | ![]() | February 2011 | More modern by 60 months |
Reasons to pick Nikon S3100 over the Canon ELPH 180
S3100 | ELPH 180 |
---|
Common features in the Canon ELPH 180 and Nikon S3100
ELPH 180 | S3100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Equal screen measurements |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Equal screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Missing Touch screen |
Canon ELPH 180 vs Nikon S3100 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon ELPH 180 has physical dimensions of 95mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Nikon S3100 has sizing of 94mm x 58mm x 18mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7") having a weight of 118 grams (0.26 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon ELPH 180 vs Nikon S3100 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the ELPH 180 against the S3100.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ELPH 180 and S3100 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Canon ELPH 180 vs Nikon S3100 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's hard to visualise the gap between sensor sizes simply by checking specifications. The pic below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the ELPH 180 and S3100.
Plainly, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Canon ELPH 180 to give you greater detail having an extra 6MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures more aggressively. The more modern ELPH 180 will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon ELPH 180 vs Nikon S3100 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon ELPH 180 vs Nikon S3100 Specifications
Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 | Nikon Coolpix S3100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Nikon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 | Nikon Coolpix S3100 |
Category | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Announced | 2016-01-05 | 2011-02-09 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | DIGIC 4+ | Expeed C2 |
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 | 20 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | - |
Highest Possible resolution | 5152 x 3864 | 4320 x 3240 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-224mm (8.0x) | 26-130mm (5.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.2-6.9 | f/3.2-6.5 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 10cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 2.7 inch | 2.7 inch |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display tech | - | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 seconds | 4 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 0.8 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m (at Auto ISO) | 4.50 m |
Flash settings | Auto, on, slow synchro, off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30p) | 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | 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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 126 gr (0.28 pounds) | 118 gr (0.26 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 95 x 54 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") | 94 x 58 x 18mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7") |
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 | 220 photographs | 220 photographs |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NB-11LH | EN-EL19 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) | Yes (10 or 2 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD / SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Pricing at release | $119 | $139 |