For me the main attraction is the quality of the pictures it takes. There are very few negative points about this camera and I would be happy to own it if I was looking for a point and shoot digital camera.
Main Features
12 megapixels
4x optical zoom lens
2.7 inch LCD screen
3cm macro mode
Lithium ion batteries
Image Quality Canon Powershot A3100 IS test shots
Outdoor Scenic Shots in Good Light
I am very happy with the outdoor scenic shots. Focusing is consistently sharp and the photos have plenty of deep colour to them. Here and there I can detect some purple fringing and the shots can be slightly hazy around white objects that are caught by the sun. These are relatively minor issues and they are unlikely to cause much of a problem especially if you keep print sizes reasonable.
The sharpness displayed in my outdoor scene where the lens is zoomed out is much better than I am used to seeing.
Portraits
The portrait shots all work well. Perhaps the Powershot A3100 IS could have conjured up a little more warmth in the outdoor portrait, but aside from that the camera performs very well indeed. When it comes to the use of flash it is difficult to beat Canon digital cameras. In this example the amount of light emitted by the flash unit is strong enough to light the whole photo, but is subtle enough to ensure the maximum amount of colour is retained in the shot.
I am also happy with the indoor portrait taken without flash. Again the Powershot A3100 IS is able to light the shot well, keep noise levels down and produce a shot with high levels of definition.
Macro, Colours and Noise
Macro shots are another area where I am used to seeing strong results from Canon cameras. My macro test shot with this camera is crisp. The artificial lighting is handled well and the colours are correct.
The Powershot A3100 IS is capable of producing strong colours. They are vivid without overpowering the scenes. Foliage in particular seems to stand out well and I like the deeper greens on display in my scenic shots.
Noise is controlled as well as you can expect to be by a compact digital camera. There is very little noise showing in my indoor portrait shot.
Summary
The Powershot A3100 IS is comfortably above average when it comes to picture quality. It can handle most scenes and produces bright, colourful shots.
Shutter Lag and Recycling Times
A single photo took 0.39 seconds and five took 14.7 seconds. These are acceptable rather than fast times. With flash times increased to 1.10 seconds for a single photo and 21.91 seconds for five.
It took 2.42 seconds to turn the camera on and take the first photo.
You can compare this camera to other models by taking a look at the Shutter Lag Comparison Table.
Style
I like the design and finish of the Powershot A3100 IS. The ends are rounded and one end is silver to give the camera a more distinctive look. It is available in blue, red and silver.
Dimensions
97.2 x 58.2 x 28.1 mm
Weight
155g
Batteries
Lithium ion (NB-8L). Canon estimates you should be able to take around 240 shots in between changes.
Memory Cards
The Powershot A3100 IS is compatible with SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards. Canon does not supply a memory card and have not built any memory into the camera.
Click here to save money on SD cards..
Ease of Use Rating
Good. Although the Powershot A3100 IS can be used as a point and shoot camera there are more simple models available.
Points I Like
Picture quality
Where it Could Improve
Shutter delay with flash
Alternatives
If you are looking for a similar camera, but a little cheaper take a look at the Canon Powershot A495. The Powershot A495 is the entry level model in the Canon range. The main difference is when it comes to build quality. Front View
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