The Canon PowerShot A3100 IS is compact, attractive and extremely easy to use. Packed with a range of intuitive and user-friendly features, the Canon A3100 IS makes photography more enjoyable than ever, helping users get great shots with the minimum of effort.
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Our Rating 
(4/5)
Good:
• affordable price
• Face Detection Self-timer for extraordinary control and performance
• Smart AUTO lets you handle challenging conditions with ease
• Optical Image Stabilizer Technology automatically detects and corrects camera shake
• includes a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery packBad:
• 4x optical zoom
Lithium-Ion battery pack
For the first time in a PowerShot A series model, the new camera features a Lithium-ion battery pack. Lightweight and rechargeable, the Lithium-ion battery pack is slim and easier to carry, and provides the convenience of being able to be charged on demand. The Canon PowerShot A3100 IS camera is also compatible with SDHC and SDXC storage cards, offering up to 2TB (SDXC only) of convenient and reliable memory that users can take anywhere.
The Canon PowerShot A3100 IS has everything you need to make shooting fast, easy and fun including a large 2.7″ LCD.
There is a full range of performance features including enhanced Face Detection technology, and a DIGIC III Image Processor to keep every image looking its best. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack is lighter then AA batteries, and provide power for taking many photos and videos. The Canon PowerShot A3100 IS is compatible with SDHC and SDXC storage cards, offering up to 2TB (SDXC only) of convenient and reliable memory that users can take anywhere.
12.1 megapixel
The camera will succeed the current PowerShot A1100 IS, and marks a true step forward for the PowerShot A series line. The camera features a 12.1 Megapixel image sensor. Equipped with DIGIC III processing, a 4x optical zoom lens and integrated optical Image Stabilizer, the PowerShot A3100IS provides rich, detailed and blur-free images. A bright, 6.7cm (2.7″) high resolution LCD screen offers crisp playback, enabling users to frame and review images in pin-sharp clarity.
Key Features:
- Quality images – 12.1 Megapixels deliver outstanding image quality and stunning prints up to A3 size
- Zoom – Genuine Canon 4x optical zoom lens (35mm-140mm) to zoom in to the subject
- Sharper Previews – 2.7″ LCD Screen for vivid bright and sharp images to view and share your photos
- Intelligent Auto – New Auto mode with Scene Detection, Face Detection, Motion Detection and Noise Reduction makes it even easier to get the perfect shot
- Intelligent Flash Exposure – Automatically detects whether flash is required and adjusts the flash output, shutter speed, aperture and ISO speed to best suit the photo being taken
- Perfect People Shots – Face Detection for perfect focus, exposure, lighting and skin tones when photographing people
- Red-eye Correction – In-camera red-eye correction gives you more natural-looking portraits
- Be Creative – Special Scene Modes allow you to choose from a variety of predetermined settings to get more creative
- Movie Recording – Continuous movie recording and playback with sound
Face Detection
Face Detection Technology makes it easy to take pictures of friends, tracking faces and providing correct exposure and focus for the best results. The Face Select & Track function allows one face to be given priority over others in a group if required, while Red-Eye Correction identifies and corrects red eyes, making sure everyone looks their best. The smart FaceSelf-Timer features on the camera allows the photographer to be included in group photos, only taking the shot when an extra face has entered the frame.
A range of creative shooting features includes the new Low Light mode, which provides improved performance in challenging lighting conditions at 2.0 Megapixel resolution. The new Super Vivid mode injects new life into subjects, adding colour to images to provide a dramatic, enriched effect. The new PowerShot A3100 IS digital camera also features the new Poster Effect mode, which reduces the number of colours to create retro-looking, poster-style images. The Canon PowerShot A3100 IS makes it easy to navigate menus, with on-screen Hints & Tips providing simple explanations of camera functions for superb ease-of-use.
Reviews:
reviews.cnet.com writes:
“The Canon PowerShot A3100 IS is a very good simple point-and-shoot, even though it doesn’t do much beyond that.”
digitalcamerareview.com writes:
“The A3100 is an almost ideal first digital camera and an excellent choice for the primary family camera.”
digitalcamera-hq.com writes:
“The A3100 is a no-brainer if you’re considering a $150 camera. Yes, there are a few design flaws and the build feels a little flimsy, and I’m still a bit puzzled as to why Canon backtracked on the image processor, but the image quality is very good for the price point. If I was forced to choose between the A1100 and the A3100, I’d probably choose the former, but it’s really just a matter of personal taste. The A3100 is an excellent camera for novices and casual shooters, and even hobbyists looking for a cheap backup would probably find plenty to like here.”
trustedreviews.com writes:
“The Canon PowerShot A3100 may not have the creative versatility of its forebears, but it is a well-made and sensibly designed camera offering a useful specification at a reasonable price. Build quality, handling and performance are all up to Canon’s usual standard, but unfortunately the camera is let down by inferior picture quality.”
PhotographyBlog writes:
“So while this camera won’t set the world on fire, it is a great introduction to the world of digital photography, making the Canon Powershot A3100 IS an easy Recommended choice. “
Steve’sDigicams writes:
“When viewing the image at 100% at ISO 400, you will notice that the image shows a noticeable amount of noise and some of the finer details have disappeared. Fortunately this is not as much as a problem as it sounds. The ISO 400 and 800 images will still look great in prints of 8×10 and under.”
TechRadar writes:
“It’s not a spectacular piece of glass, offering a focal range of 35-140mm (35mm equivalent). That’s fine for most standard situations, but will offer frustration if you want to get up close to a building, or take decent pictures at a wildlife park.”
Videos
Specifications:
Sensor:
• 1/2.3″ Type CCD
• 12.1 million effective pixels
Image sizes:
• 4000 x 3000
• 4000 x 2248
• 3264 x 2448
• 2592 x 1944
• 1600 x 1200
• 640 x 480
• 320 x 240
Movie clips:
• 640 x 480 @ 30fps [L]
• 320 x 240 @ 30fps [M]
Maximum clip length:
• Upto 4GB or 1 hour [L or M]
File formats:
• JPEG (Exif v2.2)
• DPOF 1.1
• AVI (Motion JPEG + Wave)
Lens:
• 35- 140mm (35mm equiv)
• f 6.2-24.8mm
• 4x optical zoom
• F2.7-5.6
Image stabilization:
• Yes (Lens-shift)
Digital zoom:
• up to 4x
Focus:
• TTL
AF area modes:
• Face Detection AiAF / 9 point
• 1-point AF (centre or Face Select and Track)
AF lock:
• Yes (On/Off Selectable)
AF assist lamp:
• Yes
Focus distance:
• Closest focus distance 3 cm
Metering:
• Evaluative (linked to Face Detection AF frame)
• Center-weighted average
• Spot (center)
ISO sensitivity:
• Auto
• ISO 100
• ISO 200
• ISO 400
• ISO 800
• ISO 1600
AE lock:
• On/Off Selectable
Exposure compensation:
• +/- 2EV in 1/3 stop increments
Shutter speed:
• 15-1/1600 sec
Modes:
• Auto
• Easy
• Program
• Portrait
• Landscape
• Night Snapshot
• Kids & Pets
• Indoor
• FaceSelf-Timer
• Low Light (2.0MP)
• Super Vivid
• Poster Effect
• Beach
• Foliage
• Snow
• Fireworks
• Long Shutter
• Movie
White balance:
• Auto (including Face Detection WB)
• Daylight
• Cloudy
• Tungsten
• Fluorescent
• Fluorescent H
• Custom
Self timer:
• 2 or 10sec
• Custom or Face Self Timer
Continuous shooting:
• Approx 0.8 fps
Image parameters:
• My Colors (My Colors Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, Black & White, Custom Color (limited))
Flash:
• Auto, Manual Flash On / Off, Slow Synchro
• Face Detection FE compensation, Smart Flash compensation
• Flash exposure lock
• Range :30cm – 3.0m (W) / 2m (T)
• Slow Sync Speed (fastest speed 1/1600 sec)
• External HF-DC1 flash (optional)
LCD monitor:
• 2.7″ TFT
• 230,000 pixels
• 100% coverage
• Adjustable
Connectivity:
• USB Hi-Speed
• AV out (PAL / NTSC switchable)
Storage:
• SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus
Power:
• Rechargeable Li-ion Battery NB-8L
Weight (no batt):
• 125 g
