• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon A3100 IS advantages over Panasonic ZS30

  • Less expensive
    $180 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.7 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Panasonic ZS30 advantages over Canon A3100 IS

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    480 mm vs 140 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 240 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    18.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 35 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • 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
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

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

Compare Canon A3100 IS vs Canon A1100 IS

Panasonic ZS30
Canon A1100 IS
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Canon A1100 IS

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

Compare Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic DMC-FH1

Panasonic ZS30
Panasonic DMC-FH1
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $160
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Panasonic DMC-FH1

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

Compare Canon A3100 IS vs Canon A3000 IS

Panasonic ZS30
Canon A3000 IS
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $108
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Canon A3000 IS

Compared to Panasonic ZS19

Canon A3100 IS
Panasonic ZS19
  • $85
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS19

Panasonic ZS30
Panasonic ZS19
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Panasonic ZS19

Compared to Panasonic ZS25

Canon A3100 IS
Panasonic ZS25
  • $85
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $470
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic ZS25

Panasonic ZS30
Panasonic ZS25
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $470
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Panasonic ZS25

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