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Canon A2100 IS

 
Canon PowerShot A2100 IS front
 
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-216mm (F3.2-5.9) lens
  • 185g - 102 x 64 x 32mm
  • Launched February 2009
  • Read full specs
  • Alternatives
  • Size Comparison
  • FAQ
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
20
Overall
29

Canon A2100 IS overview

Canon A2100 IS is Canon's Small Sensor Compact digital camera first revealed on February of 2009. It uses a 12 MegaPixel, CCD 1/2.3" size sensor with a peak resolution of 4000 x 3000.

The A2100 IS stands at #201 out of 261 in Small Sensor Compact cameras and all around #1158 out of 1465 for cameras in our collection. You can look at our Smart camera search to get camera listings based on your personalized factors.

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The following is a diagram of various criteria used in the scoring system.

Canon A2100 IS history

The Canon A2100 IS is part of a family of products. You can view the complete list underneath.

ModelVisualizeLensResolutionSensor SizeReleased
Canon-PowerShot-A1400 front thumbnailCanon A1400
A2100 IS vs A1400
28-140mm
F2.8-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2013
Canon-PowerShot-A2500 front thumbnailCanon A2500
A2100 IS vs A2500
28-140mm
F2.8-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2013
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Canon-PowerShot-A3500-IS front thumbnailCanon A3500 IS
A2100 IS vs A3500 IS
28-140mm
F2.8-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2013
Canon-PowerShot-A2300 front thumbnailCanon A2300
A2100 IS vs A2300
28-140mm
F2.8-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2012
Canon-PowerShot-A810 front thumbnailCanon A810
A2100 IS vs A810
28-140mm
F2.8-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2012
Canon-PowerShot-A3400-IS front thumbnailCanon A3400 IS
A2100 IS vs A3400 IS
28-140mm
F2.8-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2012
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Canon-PowerShot-A4000-IS front thumbnailCanon A4000 IS
A2100 IS vs A4000 IS
28-224mm
F3.0-5.9
16MP1/2.3"2012
Canon-PowerShot-A1300 front thumbnailCanon A1300
A2100 IS vs A1300
28-140mm
F2.8-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2012
Canon-PowerShot-A2400-IS front thumbnailCanon A2400 IS
A2100 IS vs A2400 IS
28-140mm
F2.8-6.9
16MP1/2.3"2012
Canon-PowerShot-A1200 front thumbnailCanon A1200
A2100 IS vs A1200
28-112mm
F2.8-5.9
12MP1/2.3"2011
Canon-PowerShot-A3300-IS front thumbnailCanon A3300 IS
A2100 IS vs A3300 IS
28-140mm
F2.8-5.9
16MP1/2.3"2011
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Canon-PowerShot-A3200-IS front thumbnailCanon A3200 IS
A2100 IS vs A3200 IS
28-140mm
F
14MP1/2.3"2011
Canon-PowerShot-A2200 front thumbnailCanon A2200
A2100 IS vs A2200
28-112mm
F2.8-5.9
14MP1/2.3"2011
Canon-PowerShot-A800 front thumbnailCanon A800
A2100 IS vs A800
37-122mm
F3.0-5.8
10MP1/2.3"2011
Canon-PowerShot-A3100-IS front thumbnailCanon A3100 IS
A2100 IS vs A3100 IS
35-140mm
F2.7-5.6
12MP1/2.3"2010
Canon-PowerShot-A3000-IS front thumbnailCanon A3000 IS
A2100 IS vs A3000 IS
35-140mm
F2.7-5.6
10MP1/2.3"2010
Canon-PowerShot-A490 front thumbnailCanon A490
A2100 IS vs A490
37-122mm
F3.0-5.8
10MP1/2.3"2010
Canon-PowerShot-A495 front thumbnailCanon A495
A2100 IS vs A495
37-122mm
F3.0-5.8
10MP1/2.3"2010
Canon-PowerShot-A1100-IS front thumbnailCanon A1100 IS
A2100 IS vs A1100 IS
35-140mm
F2.7-5.6
12MP1/2.3"2009
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Canon-PowerShot-A2100-IS front thumbnailCanon A2100 IS36-216mm
F3.2-5.9
12MP1/2.3"2009

Canon A2100 IS Pros and Cons

Here is a shortlist of advantages and drawbacks of the Canon A2100 IS based on things which are often seen as important in a digital camera.

built-in flash
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sized screen (3")
features face detection autofocus
in built zoom lens (36-216mm 6.0 x zoom)
very good min ISO (80)
cannot use external flash
does not have external microphone port
does not have HDMI port
does not have headphone port
does not have phase detect autofocus
does not have RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
low resolution screen (230 thousand dot)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
max zoom aperture not good (f5.9)
no aperture priority
no manual focus
no manual mode
no moving screen
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
wide angle not great (36mm)
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Canon A2100 IS Sensor information

The spec of the sensor in the Canon A2100 IS is 6.17mm x 4.55mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor is able to resolve 4000 x 3000 pixels using aspect ratios of 4:3 and 16:9. The camera boasts Image Stabilization (Optical). In body stabilization is superior than digital stabilization as the latter may cause cropping.

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The CCD sensor boasts 12 megapixels and supports a standard ISO range of 80 - 1600. Unfortunately, RAW photos are not supported therefore you have less room to maneuver in post.

The picture underneath shows the A2100 IS's sensor size when compared to other popular sizes. The A2100 IS sensor comes with a crop factor of 5.8 and is presented in green.

Canon PowerShot A2100 IS sensor size Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

To get a sense of specific aspect ratios, you should refer to the graphic below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Canon A2100 IS dimensions

Canon A2100 IS weighs 0.41 lb (185g / 6.53 ounces) and the dimensions of the camera is 102mm x 64mm x 32mm (4.0" x 2.5" x 1.3"). The weight of general Small Sensor Compact camera is 174g so the Canon A2100 IS is very similar as compared to its rivals.

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Down below is a shot of the Canon A2100 IS next to a softdrink so you can have a feel for its size.

Canon PowerShot A2100 IS dimensions scale

The top view under will illustrate the button layout on the A2100 IS.

Canon PowerShot A2100 IS topview buttons dials

Canon A2100 IS Lens information

The A2100 IS houses a built-in lens offering a focal range of 36-216mm giving it a 6.0 x zoom which might not be great but it may be invaluable in some cases.

At it's widest 36mm, the lens will have an aperture of f3.2 which is fairly sluggish and not very good in low light conditions and you will probably find it hard to capture good bokeh. You might also have to up your ISO setting giving you noisy images. On the long end, 216mm comes to f5.9 making it quite sluggish and you will have to go with slower shutter speeds.

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Canon A2100 IS Connectivity

The A2100 IS has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes

Cameras which have NFC and Bluetooth connectivity can be used wirelessly by smartphones. You can transfer files and in some cases alter camera settings without connecting physically with the camera.

A few apps also give a Liveview and press the shutter in case you aren't close to the camera. If the camera includes a HDMI out, it can be attached to an external display. Virtually all cameras enable you to charge the battery using the USB port.

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Canon A2100 IS Video information

The highest video resolution in the Canon A2100 IS is 640 x 480 and it can record in Motion JPEG file format. 480p is terrible by today's requirements. You should try to get a minimum 1080p resolution for decent video. The body doesn't include a mic and headphone socket which means that you have absolutely no control over your audio. It is probably best to purchase a different model should you need better audio in your videos.

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Canon A2100 IS Weather Sealing

Canon A2100 IS doesn't have weather proofing so rainy conditions can easily damage the camera.

Canon A2100 IS Screen and Viewfinder

The Canon A2100 IS houses a 3 inch fixed display screen having a resolution of 230 thousand dots.

Please note that the display offers no touch support.

Canon PowerShot A2100 IS screen and viewfinder Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

The View Finder details regarding Canon A2100 IS are the following:

  • ViewFinder None

Viewfinders can be really helpful for sunny outdoor situations which will make the camera screen washed out and difficult to view.

Canon A2100 IS Shutter information

Canon A2100 IS is able to shoot continuously at 1.0 frames per second. The max shutter speed is 1/1600 sec.

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Canon A2100 IS Flash and Hot shoe information

Canon A2100 IS boasts just in-built flash without external flash ability.

Canon A2100 IS Autofocusing information

Canon A2100 IS boasts only Contrast Detect Auto Focus and does not have Phase Detect Auto Focus. Phase Detection autofocusing is a lot quicker & accurate as compared to Contrast Detect autofocusing. The camera boasts Face detection which can be useful for portrait photography.

It boasts 9 focus points to select from. Canon A2100 IS has no manual focus. Manual focus option is good for low light scenarios or you need to have more precise control on depth of field.

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Canon A2100 IS Battery life

The typical Small Sensor Compact camera battery life is 241. Fujifilm X30 features the highest (470) battery life for this group of cameras.

Following is a list of Small Sensor Compact cameras with the best battery life:

Canon A2100 IS for various types of photography

The following illustration presents a analysis of the Canon A2100 IS for various types of photography. To understand more, visit the specific paragraph underneath.

Portrait photography with Canon A2100 IS

The Canon A2100 IS has a score of 26 which is really bad, and means the camera is not good to use for portraits. Shooting portrait images favors greatly towards sensor dimensions, support for RAW files plus the option to utilize off-camera lighting.

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provides face detection focus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format

Canon A2100 IS Street photography features

Getting a decent score of 55, the Canon A2100 IS is reasonably adequate to use in street photography. A good street photography camera offers a good balance of image quality plus portability.

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image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support

Canon A2100 IS Sports photography details

A really bad sports photography rating of 25 means the Canon A2100 IS is not good for photographing sports. A camera must have very good autofocus plus continuous shooting for sports photography.

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has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus

Canon A2100 IS as a Travel photography camera

Portability is really critical when picking a travel camera. On the whole, the Canon A2100 IS gets a moderate 50 as a travelling camera which is somewhat adequate to buy for your holidays.

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has built in flash
no Timelapse mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)

Canon A2100 IS Landscape photography features

For anybody planning to pick a camera for landscape pictures, the most critical aspect is going to be image quality. The Canon A2100 IS and it's really bad score of 32 for a landscape camera is not good in the current market.

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screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (36mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
lack of manual mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Timelapse function

Vlogging with Canon A2100 IS

A camera for vlogging really should have a moving screen, mic port and ideally IBIS. Taking all things into account, the Canon A2100 IS is not good for vlogging as it receives a really bad rating of 27.

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built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
wide angle not the best (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
no external microphone port

Canon A2100 IS Alternatives

If you are interested in alternatives to the A2100 IS, here is a number of the highest placed cameras that fall into the family of Small Sensor Compact.

The diagram underneath offers you an overview of the A2100 IS versus it's highest ranking rivals suggested previously.

There are a bunch of cameras you may take into account as alternatives. To browse through a extensive comparison, visit the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Make
Canon
Model
Canon PowerShot A2100 IS
Class
Small Sensor Compact
Launched
2009-02-18
Body design
Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CCD
Sensor size
1/2.3"
Sensor measurements
6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area
28.1mm²
Sensor resolution
12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio
4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution
4000 x 3000
RAW images
Max native ISO
1600
Min native ISO
80
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points
9
Lens
Lens mount
fixed lens
Lens focal range
36-216mm (6.0x)
Max aperture
f/3.2-5.9
Macro focus range
1cm
Crop factor
5.8
Screen
Range of screen
Fixed Type
Screen sizing
3"
Resolution of screen
230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type
None
DXO scores
DXO All around score
not tested
DXO Color Depth score
not tested
DXO Dynamic range score
not tested
DXO Low light score
not tested
Features
Lowest shutter speed
15 seconds
Highest shutter speed
1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed
1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range
3.50 m
Flash modes
Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions
640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution
640x480
Video file format
Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless
None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight
185g (0.41 lb)
Dimensions
102 x 64 x 32mm (4.0" x 2.5" x 1.3")
Other
Battery model
2 x AA
Self timer
Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face)
Time lapse recording
Storage media
SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus
Storage slots
Single
Launch price
$220