Pros: Plenty of preset shooting modes, Very easy to use, Cheap price
Cons: Noisy low-light shots, No viewfinder, Slow flash recovery speed
Canon's PowerShot A3100 IS moves on the A series' course toward "simple and enjoyable" photography by curtailing a feature the line was known for in the past: AA-size batteries. This camera as well as its 10-megapixel line mate, the Canon A3100 IS, uses a rechargeable lithium ion battery for power. Manual controls and optical viewfinders started disappearing as A-series features in 2008, and this change completes the renovation to a less expensive, larger version of the company's Digital Elphs. Canon hasn't deserted AA batteries entirely from A-series models, but with these additions the numbers decrease. That doesn't mean it's not a good budget-friendly camera, though, and surely there's no shortage of people after Canon photo quality at a lower cost with a more compact build than is typical of this model series. And that's really what you get with the A3100 IS.
The magnitude of the A3100 IS falls between the ultra compact bodies of the SD-series Digital Elphs and flabby A-series models that use AA-size batteries. Made of plastic and available in three color choices, silver, blue, and red. The camera is small enough to fit in a pants pocket or small handbag. It looks better than its price, but pick it up and it feels like a lower end compact camera. The lens, though not wide-angle, starts at a wider aperture than a lot of the budget competition and zooms out a touch farther, too. The 2.7-inch LCD is better than most as well, getting bright enough to use in direct light despite reflections from the screen. Also, the addition of optical image stabilization is a definite plus.
Face Select works with the camera's face detection letting you choose the person you want to focus on in a group of people. The Menu button pulls up two tabs of general settings, and the select button (labeled Func. Set) opens shooting mode-specific options. Overall, it's easy to control and should be simple enough for beginners after some use.
The A3100 IS's shallow shooting options are not unpredicted, but that really doesn't make what's offered anymore exciting. Going around the Mode dial you have P (for Program), which gives you the most control over results; Auto, which automatically detects the shooting scene; Easy; and Movie that maxes out at a resolution of 640x480 pixels at 30 frames per second. Canon renamed its High ISO mode to Low Light, but it's otherwise the same, capturing 2-megapixel shots at ISOs from 500 to 3,200.
Shooting performance is average for its class and it's actually faster than the very similar A3000. From powering on to capturing its first shot is 1.8 seconds, which is OK. Its shot-to-shot times are decent, too: 2.3 seconds without the flash and 3.9 seconds with. The shutter lag in bright lighting conditions is average at 0.5 second; in dim conditions it does well, though, at 0.7 second. Lastly, the continuous shooting speed from the A3100 IS is middle-of-the-road at 0.8 frames per second. These speeds are by no means fast, though, making it best for motionless subjects. Though the A3100 IS might not have much in the way of features, it does have excellent photo quality for the money. Like many compacts in its class, there's a noticeable shift in quality at ISO 400, so the A3100 IS performs its best below this sensitivity. In other words, the more light you have the better off you'll be.
The lens has good sharpness edge to edge, but there is some barrel distortion at its widest position. There's no discernible pin cushioning with the lens fully extended, however. Purple fringing is at normal amounts with high-contrast subjects. It's visible when photos are viewed at 100 percent, but not at the picture-destroying levels seen from competitive models. Colors are not always accurate, but they sure look great. Exposure is good, too, though highlights have a tendency to blow out typical of its class.
Video quality is decent, suitable for Web use and on par with a standard-definition pocket camcorder. And like those devices, you cannot use the optical zoom on the A3100 IS while recording. There's not a lot here to get excited about beyond its ability to take an excellent snapshot and optical image stabilization. But if all you're looking to do is point and shoot, it will likely be enough camera for you.
Cons: Noisy low-light shots, No viewfinder, Slow flash recovery speed
Canon's PowerShot A3100 IS moves on the A series' course toward "simple and enjoyable" photography by curtailing a feature the line was known for in the past: AA-size batteries. This camera as well as its 10-megapixel line mate, the Canon A3100 IS, uses a rechargeable lithium ion battery for power. Manual controls and optical viewfinders started disappearing as A-series features in 2008, and this change completes the renovation to a less expensive, larger version of the company's Digital Elphs. Canon hasn't deserted AA batteries entirely from A-series models, but with these additions the numbers decrease. That doesn't mean it's not a good budget-friendly camera, though, and surely there's no shortage of people after Canon photo quality at a lower cost with a more compact build than is typical of this model series. And that's really what you get with the A3100 IS.
The magnitude of the A3100 IS falls between the ultra compact bodies of the SD-series Digital Elphs and flabby A-series models that use AA-size batteries. Made of plastic and available in three color choices, silver, blue, and red. The camera is small enough to fit in a pants pocket or small handbag. It looks better than its price, but pick it up and it feels like a lower end compact camera. The lens, though not wide-angle, starts at a wider aperture than a lot of the budget competition and zooms out a touch farther, too. The 2.7-inch LCD is better than most as well, getting bright enough to use in direct light despite reflections from the screen. Also, the addition of optical image stabilization is a definite plus.
Face Select works with the camera's face detection letting you choose the person you want to focus on in a group of people. The Menu button pulls up two tabs of general settings, and the select button (labeled Func. Set) opens shooting mode-specific options. Overall, it's easy to control and should be simple enough for beginners after some use.
The A3100 IS's shallow shooting options are not unpredicted, but that really doesn't make what's offered anymore exciting. Going around the Mode dial you have P (for Program), which gives you the most control over results; Auto, which automatically detects the shooting scene; Easy; and Movie that maxes out at a resolution of 640x480 pixels at 30 frames per second. Canon renamed its High ISO mode to Low Light, but it's otherwise the same, capturing 2-megapixel shots at ISOs from 500 to 3,200.
Shooting performance is average for its class and it's actually faster than the very similar A3000. From powering on to capturing its first shot is 1.8 seconds, which is OK. Its shot-to-shot times are decent, too: 2.3 seconds without the flash and 3.9 seconds with. The shutter lag in bright lighting conditions is average at 0.5 second; in dim conditions it does well, though, at 0.7 second. Lastly, the continuous shooting speed from the A3100 IS is middle-of-the-road at 0.8 frames per second. These speeds are by no means fast, though, making it best for motionless subjects. Though the A3100 IS might not have much in the way of features, it does have excellent photo quality for the money. Like many compacts in its class, there's a noticeable shift in quality at ISO 400, so the A3100 IS performs its best below this sensitivity. In other words, the more light you have the better off you'll be.
The lens has good sharpness edge to edge, but there is some barrel distortion at its widest position. There's no discernible pin cushioning with the lens fully extended, however. Purple fringing is at normal amounts with high-contrast subjects. It's visible when photos are viewed at 100 percent, but not at the picture-destroying levels seen from competitive models. Colors are not always accurate, but they sure look great. Exposure is good, too, though highlights have a tendency to blow out typical of its class.
Video quality is decent, suitable for Web use and on par with a standard-definition pocket camcorder. And like those devices, you cannot use the optical zoom on the A3100 IS while recording. There's not a lot here to get excited about beyond its ability to take an excellent snapshot and optical image stabilization. But if all you're looking to do is point and shoot, it will likely be enough camera for you.
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