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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon A3500 IS

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
35
Overall
38

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon A3500 IS Key Specs

Canon A3100 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F2.7-5.6) lens
  • 165g - 97 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released January 2010
Canon A3500 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 135g - 98 x 56 x 20mm
  • Revealed January 2013
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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon A3500 IS Overview

Following is a extended analysis of the Canon A3100 IS and Canon A3500 IS, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and both are built by Canon. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the A3100 IS (12MP) and A3500 IS (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The A3100 IS was unveiled 4 years earlier than the A3500 IS which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the A3100 IS grades vs the A3500 IS for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Canon A3500 IS

 A3100 IS A3500 IS 

Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Canon A3100 IS

 A3500 IS A3100 IS 
RevealedJanuary 2013January 2010More modern by 36 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Canon A3500 IS

 A3100 IS A3500 IS 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon A3500 IS Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and size. The Canon A3100 IS has got physical measurements of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) and the Canon A3500 IS has specifications of 98mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs).

Analyze the Canon A3100 IS and Canon A3500 IS in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the A3100 IS against the A3500 IS.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon A3500 IS size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A3100 IS and A3500 IS is 94 and 96 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon A3500 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon A3500 IS Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to see the difference between sensor sizes only by checking specs. The picture underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the A3100 IS and A3500 IS.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Canon A3500 IS to give extra detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged A3100 IS is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon A3500 IS sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon A3500 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon A3500 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon A3100 IS
Portrait photography with Canon A3500 IS
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
external flash not possible
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
35
good MP (16MP)
comes with face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Street photography advice
Canon A3500 IS Street photography advice
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers touch focus
lighter than others in class (135g)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Sports photography camera
Canon A3500 IS as a Sports photography camera
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
38
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Travel photography features
Canon A3500 IS Travel photography features
51
built-in flash
no Timelapse mode
low resolution (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
68
lighter than others in class (135 grams)
offers touch focus
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Canon A3500 IS as a Landscape photography camera
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse mode
42
fairly wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Vlogging info
Canon A3500 IS Vlogging info
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
no microphone support
34
fairly wide (28mm)
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
lighter than others in class (135 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic port
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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon A3500 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Canon A3500 IS
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISCanon PowerShot A3500 IS
General Information
Brand Name Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Canon PowerShot A3500 IS
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2010-01-05 2013-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - DIGIC 4
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/2.8-6.9
Macro focus range 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 15s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.00 m 3.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 165 grams (0.36 lb) 135 grams (0.30 lb)
Dimensions 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 200 photographs
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-8L NB-11L
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $159 $115