• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon A3100 IS advantages over Nikon P7800

  • Less expensive
    $180 vs $550 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    28 mm vs 50 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    154g vs 399g
    Lighter weight
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon P7800 advantages over Canon A3100 IS

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.90 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/2.7
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • More telephoto lens reach
    200 mm vs 140 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 240 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    28 mm vs 35 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.5 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality for a 1/1.7" sensor; Versatile 28-200mm eq. lens with fast f/2-4 max aperture; Built-in EVF; Fully articulating LCD; Generous set of physical controls; Built-in flash with wireless support; Standard dedicated hot shoe; Full HD and slo-mo movies.

  • Slow cycle times and buffer clearing with RAW files; Shallow burst mode buffer; Mediocre autofocus speed and shutter lag; Sluggish UI at times; Slow to switch to movie mode; Optical zoom not supported during movie recording when using manual exposure modes; No built-in Wi-Fi.

The Competition

Compared to Canon A1100 IS

Canon A3100 IS
Canon A1100 IS
  • $85
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer stills battery life
Nikon P7800
Canon A1100 IS
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FH1

Canon A3100 IS
Panasonic DMC-FH1
  • $85
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $160
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
Nikon P7800
Panasonic DMC-FH1
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $160
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Canon A3000 IS

Canon A3100 IS
Canon A3000 IS
  • $85
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • $108
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
Nikon P7800
Canon A3000 IS
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $108
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon P7700

Canon A3100 IS
Nikon P7700
  • $85
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon P7800
Nikon P7700
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Higher-res screen

Compared to Canon G16

Canon A3100 IS
Canon G16
  • $85
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Nikon P7800
Canon G16
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Focus peaking
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