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Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S3500

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S3500 front
Portability
95
Imaging
44
Features
25
Overall
36

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S3500 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
  • Announced January 2010
Nikon S3500
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-182mm (F3.4-6.4) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 58 x 21mm
  • Announced February 2013
Photography Glossary

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S3500 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S3500, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the A3100 IS (12MP) and S3500 (20MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The A3100 IS was introduced 4 years prior to the S3500 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the A3100 IS scores versus the S3500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Nikon S3500

 A3100 IS S3500 

Reasons to pick Nikon S3500 over the Canon A3100 IS

 S3500 A3100 IS 
AnnouncedFebruary 2013January 2010Newer by 38 months

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Nikon S3500

 A3100 IS S3500 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display measurements
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S3500 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and volume. The Canon A3100 IS offers physical dimensions of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) whilst the Nikon S3500 has sizing of 97mm x 58mm x 21mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check out the Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S3500 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the A3100 IS versus the S3500.

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S3500 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A3100 IS and S3500 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S3500 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S3500 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to see the difference between sensor dimensions just by reading through specs. The pic below might provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A3100 IS and S3500.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Nikon S3500 to give you more detail using its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more aged A3100 IS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S3500 sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S3500 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S3500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Portrait photography details
Nikon S3500 Portrait photography details
21
manual focus not available
no manual control
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
33
resolution is good (20MP)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Street photography factors
Nikon S3500 Street photography factors
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (129 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon A3100 IS
Sports photography with Nikon S3500
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
42
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20MP)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Travel photography factors
Nikon S3500 Travel photography factors
51
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
69
lighter than average in class (129g)
resolution is good (20MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon S3500 as a Landscape photography camera
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
40
relatively wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20MP)
lack of manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon A3100 IS
Vlogging with Nikon S3500
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have mic socket
31
relatively wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (129g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic port
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Canon A3100 IS vs Nikon S3500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Nikon S3500
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISNikon Coolpix S3500
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Nikon Coolpix S3500
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-01-05 2013-02-21
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 5152 x 3864
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) 26-182mm (7.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/3.4-6.4
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - TFT-LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 165g (0.36 lb) 129g (0.28 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 97 x 58 x 21mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID NB-8L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus -
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $159 $85