Canon PowerShot A3100IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD

There’s nothing more satisfying than taking great pictures! And with the Canon PowerShot A3100IS, it’s so effortless. The 12.1-megapixel resolution and 4x optical zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer ensure radiant, detailed images. Plus, you’ve got an advanced DIGIC III Image Processor with evolved Face Detection Technology and the Face Detection Self-timer for extraordinary control and performance. New scene modes give your images a professional feel. There’s the Face Detection Self-timer for extraordinary control and performance and Smart AUTO lets you handle challenging conditions with ease. Plus this trim, fashionable camera is yours in three stunning colors.

Powerful A-Series camera with 12.1 megapixels, 4x optical zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer and DIGIC III Image Processor.
With the Canon PowerShot A3100IS, dramatic, personal pictures have never been easier to shoot and share. This 12.1-megapixel camera lets you create impressive large photos of family and friends you’ll be proud to display. The high-resolution 4000 x 3000-pixel images taken by the Canon PowerShot A3100IScan be enlarged up to 13 x 19 inches.

The Canon PowerShot A3100IS has a 4x optical zoom lens that makes it easy to get the inspiring, emotive close-ups that will make your images lasting keepsakes. This magnificent lens gives you the power to shoot subjects with razor-sharp precision and stunning lifelike color. So you can brilliantly capture a shot of a sweeping landscape, or a child’s big smile.

The Canon PowerShot A3100IS uses a newly developed rechargeable lithium-ion battery. This compact, powerful battery helps make it an incredibly lightweight and slim camera. Charge-up is quick and easy, so the Canon PowerShot A3100IS will be ready and waiting for those special moments.

Advanced presets for the best possible photos under certain conditions. With 18 Shooting Modes including Scene Modes, you’re ready for whatever shot comes your way.

Just set the Canon PowerShot A3100IS to Smart AUTO and you’re ready for maximum enjoyment from your picture taking every time. It’s a relaxing and satisfying way to shoot because you can completely concentrate on your subject knowing that the camera has the technical details covered. Advanced Canon technology intelligently analyzes your situation and shooting conditions. Then it automatically selects an appropriate setting from 18 specially defined settings. So whether you’re photographing flowers, a captivating sunset, or your friends at the park, you can be confident that you’re getting dramatic, memorable images.

Low Light mode for improved shooting in dim lighting
With an ISO of 400-3200, the Low Light mode takes the Canon PowerShot A3100IS where no A-Series has gone before–into the shadows! Now even scenes notorious for having insufficient light, such as those lit by candles, fire, or street lamp, come through in fantastic color and clarity, with less noise. You can keep the feel of the scene intact without adding additional light, so the result will be scenes with the visual accuracy, depth and clarity you expect from a Canon camera.

Canon PowerShot A3100IS Product Features

• 12.1 megapixels, 4x optical zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer, and DIGIC III Image Processor
• Lithium-ion battery makes the camera lighter and offers an easy alternative to recharge
• New scene modes, including Super Vivid and Poster Effect; Smart Auto selects from 18 predefined shooting situations
• Large, bright 2.7-inch LCD
• Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

Canon PowerShot A3100IS Technical Details

• Brand Name: Canon
• Model: A3100IS Red
• Optical Sensor Resolution: 12.1 MP
• Optical Sensor Technology: CCD
• Optical zoom: 4 x
• Maximum Aperture Range: F/2.7-5.6
• Minimum focal length: 6.2 millimeters
• Maximum focal length: 24.8 millimeters
• Lens Type: Zoom lens
• Optical Sensor Size: 1/2.3″
• Included Flash Type: Built-in flash
• Display Size: 2.700 inches
• Light Sensitivity: ISO 100, ISO 800, ISO 400, ISO 200, ISO 80, ISO auto, ISO 1600
• Image types: JPEG
• Shooting Modes: Frame movie mode
• Exposure Control Type: Beach, Kids & pets, Night snapshot, Snow, Super vivid, Poster effect, Landscape, Portrait mode, Slow shutter, Fireworks, Low light, Indoor, Foliage
• Viewfinder Type: None
• Width: 3.8 inches
• Height: 2.3 inches
• Weight: 5.47 pounds

Canon PowerShot A3100IS Customer Reviews

Canon PowerShot A3100IS Average Customer Rating

Extremely easy to use. Packed with a range of clever and user-friendly features.

By Surgery100 “ADJ” (Washington, DC), June 12, 2010
Review of Canon PowerShot A3100IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD

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.

The feature set is very basic, and nothing new. It has a “Face select” feature which lets you select which person you want to focus on in a group. On the dial it has four settings: Auto, Easy, Program and movie modes. The auto mode is just as with every other camera, the camera will select the settings it determines best, but you maintain control (if you care to select it) over the white balance and flash. Easy is the same as auto, except no options. Program gives you the option to select among several “scenes”: Portrait, Landscape, Night, Kids&Pets, and Indoor (buried in the menu you can also select lesser used scene settings like Beach, Long Shutter, and Fireworks).

The only negative I’ve encountered with the camera is the relatively slow processor. That is the power up time (the time between turning the camera on and taking the first picture) is average (about 2 seconds), however, the time between pictures is around 2 seconds without the flash to 4 seconds with the flash. If you envision having (or wanting) to take faster pictures, then this is not the camera for you. Similarly, if you want to have any control over settings (i.e. shutter speed if you want to take pictures of your running toddler) this is not the camera for you.

Bottom line:
Canon replaces control and feature selection for extreme ease-of-use. This camera is a solid option for the money, and in case you are considering the A3000 IS, this (the A3100) is well worth the extra $30 (better resolution and faster picture-to-picture time).
The picture quality is great, no blur and vivid colors.

It accomplishes what the “A” series Canon’s are supposed to….

By Morphie “Morphie” (USA), July 10, 2010
Review of Canon PowerShot A3100IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD

This is the third Canon “A” series that I have purchased. For those of you unfamiliar with the Canon line, they are targeted at users who value simplicity and ease of use. Clearly, they are also focused on a price point that is quite low. If you are looking for greater sophistication and higher quality (both photographic and build), there are many other choices. However, given its mission, the A3100 succeeds.

First, ease of use is well thought out. The user is presented with icons intended to be intuitive. However, there is a safety net for those perplexed by that approach: the software provides a running, written commentary on the purpose of the available options. The designers have attempted to make this device as palatable and non threatening as possible.

Second, even for users accustomed to more sophisticated cameras, the image quality is more than satisfactory. When purchasing a digital camera, one should not concentrate on “pixels”. Digital imaging is dependent upon lens quality and the processor, in this case Canon’s Digic III. I have felt that Canon’s processors were among the best, for years. However, it is fair to say that the technology has improved to such an extent that many of the major brands are competitive with one another.

My primary concern and criticism is build quality; the battery and memory card door is flimsy (another review mentioned this), as is the USB port cover. Only time will tell if this is a problem.

Another review has mentioned dark images and less than satisfactory results with the zoom. While I have not utilized the digital zoom, yet, I find the optical zoom and image stabilization to operate quite well.

This is not an advanced SLR or a Leica; nor is it intended to be. However, within the scope of its designers’ intent, it performs admirably, rewarding the user with photos above “snapshot” quality. For approximately $150.00, it is difficult to imagine a better performer.

Great little camera!

By G. Walker “Fitness Freak” (Michigan), March 21, 2010
Review of Canon PowerShot A3100IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD

All I needed was an excuse to upgrade from a Canon IXY 800IS. It came when my wife accidentally drown my little Canon. The Canon PowerShot A3100IS is an upgrade at a very reasonable price.

Pros:
Fast start up and shut-down
Comes in various colors
larger screen but still fits in pocket
excellent movie quality
picture quality you expect from a bigger camera

Cons:
no viewfinder at this price point
the battery/SD card lid seems a bit flimsy.

PS. keep the Canon PowerShot A3100IS out of salt water