• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon A3100 IS advantages over Sony TX20

  • Less expensive
    $180 vs $330 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.7 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • More telephoto lens reach
    140 mm vs 100 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony TX20 advantages over Canon A3100 IS

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~1.20 vs 2.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Thinner
    17 mm vs 28 mm
    Thinner
  • 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
  • Less shutter lag
    0.29 vs 0.48 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 35 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 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 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon A3100 IS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony TX20

Review Excerpt

  • Sleek, stylish, slender design; Easy to handle and fast to shoot; Good print quality at up to 13 x 19 inches; Low shutter lag; 10fps burst mode.

  • Touchscreen display is hard to see and use in bright light; Inconsistent image exposure; Mild distortion problems; no GPS.

  • Read our Sony TX20 Express Review

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

Sony TX20
Canon A1100 IS
  • $370
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Touchscreen
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony TX20 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

Sony TX20
Panasonic DMC-FH1
  • $370
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Touchscreen
  • $160
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Sony TX20 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

Sony TX20
Canon A3000 IS
  • $370
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Touchscreen
  • $108
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony TX20 vs Canon A3000 IS

Compared to Sony DSC-TX100V

Canon A3100 IS
Sony DSC-TX100V
  • $85
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $282
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • HDMI out

Compare Canon A3100 IS vs Sony DSC-TX100V

Sony TX20
Sony DSC-TX100V
  • $370
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $282
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compare Sony TX20 vs Sony DSC-TX100V

Compared to Sony TX200V

Canon A3100 IS
Sony TX200V
  • $85
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $363
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Touchscreen

Compare Canon A3100 IS vs Sony TX200V

Sony TX20
Sony TX200V
  • $370
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure
  • $363
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus

Compare Sony TX20 vs Sony TX200V

Compare Other Cameras?