Canon A3500 IS vs Canon S90
96 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
37


92 Imaging
34 Features
42 Overall
37
Canon A3500 IS vs Canon S90 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
- 135g - 98 x 56 x 20mm
- Announced January 2013
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 28-105mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
- 195g - 100 x 58 x 31mm
- Revealed April 2010
- Newer Model is Canon S95

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon S90 Overview
Following is a extensive comparison of the Canon A3500 IS and Canon S90, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and both of them are designed by Canon. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the A3500 IS (16MP) and S90 (10MP) and the A3500 IS (1/2.3") and S90 (1/1.7") enjoy different sensor sizes.

The A3500 IS was revealed 2 years after the S90 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before going in to a in-depth comparison, below is a brief overview of how the A3500 IS matches up vs the S90 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon S90 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot A3500 IS & Canon PowerShot S90. The full galleries are available at Canon A3500 IS Gallery & Canon S90 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Canon S90
A3500 IS | S90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2013 | ![]() | April 2010 | More modern by 34 months |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Canon S90 over the Canon A3500 IS
S90 | A3500 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+231k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Canon S90
A3500 IS | S90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen |
Canon A3500 IS vs Canon S90 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Canon A3500 IS enjoys physical dimensions of 98mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Canon S90 has specifications of 100mm x 58mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") and a weight of 195 grams (0.43 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon A3500 IS and Canon S90 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at that moment. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the A3500 IS vs the S90.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A3500 IS and S90 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon S90 Sensor Comparison
Typically, its tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizes purely by checking specs. The picture here will offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A3500 IS and S90.
As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The A3500 IS with its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Canon A3500 IS will give you greater detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The fresher A3500 IS should have a benefit in sensor technology.

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon S90 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon S90 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS | Canon PowerShot S90 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Canon |
Model | Canon PowerShot A3500 IS | Canon PowerShot S90 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2013-01-07 | 2010-04-08 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | DIGIC 4 | Digic 4 |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/1.7" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 7.44 x 5.58mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 41.5mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 10MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 3648 x 2736 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 28-105mm (3.8x) |
Maximum aperture | f/2.8-6.9 | f/2.0-4.9 |
Macro focus range | 3cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 4.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dots | 461 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 15 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | 6.50 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | - | 1/500 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
Video data format | H.264 | H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 135g (0.30 lbs) | 195g (0.43 lbs) |
Dimensions | 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") | 100 x 58 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | 46 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 20.2 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 11.0 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 185 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 200 photographs | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-11L | NB-6L |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus card |
Card slots | One | One |
Retail price | $115 | $599 |