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Canon SD940 IS vs Nikon S3100

Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Canon PowerShot SD940 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S3100 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
23
Overall
31

Canon SD940 IS vs Nikon S3100 Key Specs

Canon SD940 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 120g - 89 x 55 x 20mm
  • Released August 2009
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 120 IS
Nikon S3100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 118g - 94 x 58 x 18mm
  • Launched February 2011
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Canon SD940 IS vs Nikon S3100 Overview

Following is a thorough overview of the Canon SD940 IS vs Nikon S3100, both Ultracompact digital cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the SD940 IS (12MP) and the S3100 (14MP) is fairly well matched and they come with the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SD940 IS was unveiled 17 months before the S3100 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick summation of how the SD940 IS grades vs the S3100 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD940 IS over the Nikon S3100

 SD940 IS S3100 

Reasons to pick Nikon S3100 over the Canon SD940 IS

 S3100 SD940 IS 
LaunchedFebruary 2011August 2009More modern by 17 months

Common features in the Canon SD940 IS and Nikon S3100

 SD940 IS S3100 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension2.7"2.7"Identical display measurement
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Canon SD940 IS vs Nikon S3100 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon SD940 IS offers external measurements of 89mm x 55mm x 20mm (3.5" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs) and the Nikon S3100 has measurements of 94mm x 58mm x 18mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7") with a weight of 118 grams (0.26 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SD940 IS vs Nikon S3100 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the SD940 IS and the S3100.

Canon SD940 IS vs Nikon S3100 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD940 IS and S3100 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD940 IS vs Nikon S3100 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD940 IS vs Nikon S3100 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to envision the difference between sensor sizes only by reading through technical specs. The picture underneath may give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SD940 IS and S3100.

As you have seen, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Nikon S3100 to give you greater detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SD940 IS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Canon SD940 IS vs Nikon S3100 sensor size comparison

Canon SD940 IS vs Nikon S3100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD940 IS vs Nikon S3100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD940 IS
Portrait photography with Nikon S3100
21
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
33
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
features face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SD940 IS Street photography details
Nikon S3100 Street photography details
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
48
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD940 IS Sports photography details
Nikon S3100 Sports photography details
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
32
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
features tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD940 IS
Travel photography with Nikon S3100
58
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse recording
low resolution (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
65
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (26mm)
no Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD940 IS Landscape photography info
Nikon S3100 Landscape photography info
32
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
33
really wide (26mm)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD940 IS Vlogging details
Nikon S3100 Vlogging details
29
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone port
28
really wide (26mm)
features face detect focusing
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone support
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Canon SD940 IS vs Nikon S3100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD940 IS and Nikon S3100
 Canon PowerShot SD940 ISNikon Coolpix S3100
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SD940 IS Nikon Coolpix S3100
Also referred to as Digital IXUS 120 IS -
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Released 2009-08-19 2011-02-09
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.2-6.5
Macro focusing distance 3cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 4.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 120 gr (0.26 lb) 118 gr (0.26 lb)
Dimensions 89 x 55 x 20mm (3.5" x 2.2" x 0.8") 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
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-4L EN-EL19
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (10 or 2 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD / SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $299 $139