The Canon Powershot A3100 IS’s compact size disguises a powerful point-and-shoot camera designed to create great images with very little effort. Canon’s Motion Detection Technology gives the A3100 an edge over other point-and-shoot cameras by creating sharp, blur-free images easily. Small, portable and easy to use, the A3100 is perfect for the casual photographer who wants to carry along a camera for snapshots and capturing moments, but doesn’t want to lug a heavy, complicated multi-lens camera around.
This Canon Powershot A3100 IS review covers the features and benefits of the A3100, as well as opinions from reviewers on Amazon.com
12.1 Megapixels
With a 12.1 megapixel sensor, the Canon Powershot A3100 produces quality prints up to 16 x 24 inches (A2) without enlargement. Prints will be as sharp and clear as when they came out of the camera, not blurred or fuzzy from being blown up. The A3100’s resolution of 12.1 megapixels also means photographers can crop their images after taking them, yet keep the image quality required for larger prints. The A3100 takes the snapshot to new heights, or rather sizes.
“This is a compact, easy-to-use, bring the fun back to photography camera that provides Canon’s photo quality in a lower cost, compact build. A little bit bigger than the digital elphs, this camera still fits comfortably in a shirt or pant pocket.” -Surgery100 “ADJ”, Amazon reviewer
4X Optical Zoom Lens
This Canon zoom lens maintains the high quality standards set by other Canon products. The optical Image Stabilizer reduces blur from a shaky camera, and the 4X optical zoom brings subjects 400% closer. The clear, well-built lens, Image Stabilizer and zoom let photographers capture exactly what they see clearly, up close and in super-sharp focus.
“For anyone who is like me and just likes to take pictures and/or shoot videos, I’d highly recommend this camera to you.”-Lisa, Amazon reviewer (from Canon Powershot A3100 IS review)
2.7” (6.cm) LCD Screen
The Canon Powershot A3100’s 2.7” LCD screen makes framing and reviewing photographs easy. The bright, high-resolution screen lets photographers see exactly what they’re shooting, and review images after shooting to make sure the shot is perfect.
“The Canon A3100IS is a fantastic all around camera. I think anybody who buys one will not be disappointed.” -Jason Jiminez, Amazon reviewer
Effortless Shooting
The Powershot A3100’s Auto mode makes shooting great images a matter of clicking a button. The intelligent Scene Detection Technology allows the camera to evaluate the scene and automatically choose the best settings. The Canon Powershot A3100’s technology determines the correct settings for the scene’s brightness and contrast, the overall hue of the subject and the flash exposure, if any, required for the scene. For the photographer, all this adds up to simple push-button photography.
“I am pleasantly surprised how much fun it is taking photos with this camera. The camera is easy to learn, fun to use & takes great photos.” -S.E. Miller, Amazon reviewer (from Canon Powershot A3100 IS review)
Motion Detection Technology
The Canon A3100 detects when the camera or subject moves, and corrects the ISO settings to reduce blur and create the best image. This means more sharp images and fewer blurry blobs.
“The settings are very intuitive – it’s much easier now to change from “Kids and Pets” to “Outdoor”, for instance. I love that the settings are all on a dial!” - V. Crayton, Amazon reviewer (from Canon Powershot A3100 IS review)
Face Detection Technology
The Canon Powershot A3100’s face detection technology suite detects all of the faces in a given scene and adjusts the camera’s settings to create sharp images with natural skin tones and no red-eye. For group self-portraits, the FaceSelf-Timer activates the shutter button when an additional face enters the frame. Photographers who shoot images of people on a regular basis will find the face detection helpful in creating realistic looking photos.
“The Powershot A3100IS 12.1MP camera is a fantastic combination of small size and great optics, with good shooting modes and features.” -Daniel West, Amazon reviewer
Multiple Shooting Modes
The Canon Powershot A3100 IS offers 18 shooting modes, including Super Vivid for vibrant colors, Low Light, for inside shooting and outdoor shooting in the evening, and Poster Effect, which creates a retro look by decreasing the number of colors in the image. Some photographers will prefer to use the more realistic modes to take better low-light or sports images or nicer portraits. Creative types will enjoy the more artistic modes as well.
“My wife loves the size and weight, as well as the ease of use, but also the many available features, especially the Image Stabilization, 4X Optical Zoom, 12.1 MP, and the 2.7″ LCD.” -Tools 30, Amazon reviewer
DIGIC III Processor
The Canon A3100’s onboard brain, the DIGIC III processor, reduces noise in images, ensures accurate color reproduction, creates sharp images and produces fast response times. With the Digic III inside, the A3100 is powerful, fast and easy to use, while creating superb image quality.
“If you want a camera that is easy to use and takes great pictures… AND is priced very well… look no further!
” -Robert Speakman, Amazon reviewer (from Canon Powershot A3100 IS review)
Rechargeable Battery
The Canon Powershot A3100 IS comes with a rechargeable Canon Lithium-ion battery pack and charger. Lithium-ion batteries last longer and hold a charge better than AA batteries. The included battery also saves photographers money over buying replacement AA batteries.
“The Canon A3100IS digital camera provides great digital photographs at a very reasonable price. The fully automatic nature of the camera is perfect for my wife who is not a knowledgeable photographer and does not want to become a knowledgeable photographer.” – JimG, Amazon reviewer
The Canon Powershot A3100 IS shoots sharp, clear images in any of 18 modes, prevents blur through the Image Stabilizer and Motion Detection Technology, and uses face recognition technology to produce excellent people shots with natural-looking skin tones and no red-eye. Simple and easy to use, the A3100 is also powerful yet compact. With 12.1 megapixels and 4X optical zoom, the A3100 lets photographers take close-up photos from a distance and print up to 16 x 24 inches with no enlargements.
VERDICT
The Canon Powershot A3100 is not for the serious photographer who wants a professional-level camera with interchangeable lenses. This is a compact point-and-shoot camera, not a DSLR. It is perfect for anyone who wants a camera to carry around. The casual photographer, rather than the enthusiast, will enjoy the A3100.
