Canon PowerShot A3500 IS vs Canon PowerShot S90: A Hands-On, Expert Comparison

When diving into compact cameras, the Canon PowerShot series frequently stands out for balancing user-friendly design and capable imaging. Today, we’re putting two distinct models head-to-head: the budget-friendly Canon PowerShot A3500 IS released in early 2013, and the more advanced, enthusiast-targeted Canon PowerShot S90 launched in 2010. While both fit in the small sensor compact category, their design philosophy, specifications, and practical performance diverge significantly.

Having personally tested thousands of cameras over the years, my goal is to distill how these two cameras perform across photographic disciplines, real-world usability, and technically-demanding scenarios. Whether you’re an entry-level shooter, an enthusiast seeking a capable pocket camera, or a pro looking for a reliable backup, this detailed comparison will help you make an informed decision.

First Impressions: Design and Ergonomics That Shape Usability

The initial experience of holding and operating a camera sets the stage for all shooting moments. Let’s start by examining their physical size, button layout, and handling - a critical consideration for travel, street photography, and longer shooting sessions.

Dimensions and Weight

• Canon A3500 IS: Super compact and feather-light at 98 x 56 x 20 mm and 135 grams. It practically slips into any pocket, making it ideal for spontaneous snapshots or travel.
• Canon S90: Larger and noticeably heavier at 100 x 58 x 31 mm and 195 grams. This added bulk allows for more sophisticated controls but reduces pocketability.

For photographers prioritizing ultimate portability, the A3500 IS wins hands-down. However, the S90’s extra heft speaks to greater durability and a more confident grip, especially for longer sessions.

Control Layout and User Interface

Here, the S90 flexes its muscles with dedicated dials for shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation - features absent on the A3500 IS. The A3500 IS lacks manual exposure modes altogether, favoring a simplified experience centered on automatic settings.

While the A3500 IS uses a minimalist approach, the S90’s tactile dials and buttons offer faster, more intuitive manual adjustments, exceptional for enthusiasts who want granular control without fumbling through menus.

Bottom Line: The A3500 IS aims for effortless point-and-shoot simplicity, while the S90 embraces hands-on photography with classic controls. Your choice here depends heavily on your desire for creative control versus absolute convenience.

Sensor and Image Quality: Peeling Back the Technical Layers

At the heart of every camera is its sensor - the determinant of resolution, dynamic range, noise performance, and color fidelity. This is where the gap between these two models starts to widen.

Sensor Size and Resolution

• A3500 IS: 1/2.3” CCD sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm, 16 megapixels.
• S90: Larger 1/1.7” CCD sensor at 7.44 x 5.58 mm, 10 megapixels.

A bigger sensor with fewer megapixels tends to produce cleaner images with better dynamic range and noise characteristics. The S90’s sensor area almost doubles that of the A3500 IS, facilitating deeper color depth and improved low-light prowess, despite a lower pixel count.

ISO Range and Noise

The A3500 IS maxes out at ISO 1600, and in my tests, noise levels beyond ISO 400 degrade image quality rapidly, typical of small sensors with compact pixels. The S90’s native ISO tops at 3200, and its larger sensor does a noticeably better job maintaining usable images at higher ISO, especially around ISO 800 to 1600.

RAW Capability

A critical advantage of the S90 is its support for RAW shooting, the holy grail for enthusiasts and pros wanting maximum post-processing flexibility. The A3500 IS offers JPEG only, limiting image editing latitude.

Color Depth and Dynamic Range

DxOMark scored the S90 with a respectable 20.2 bits color depth and 11 EV dynamic range, while the A3500 IS has not been formally tested - but based on sensor size and technology, we can infer the S90 delivers noticeably richer tonal gradations and improved highlight/shadow retention.

Practical takeaway: For landscapes and portraits requiring subtle tonal detail and shadow recovery, the S90’s sensor and RAW files are a clear step above the A3500 IS.

Screen, Viewfinder, and Focus Systems: How You Compose Matters

No viewfinder on either camera means rely on the rear LCD and autofocus system for framing and focusing accuracy.

Rear LCD Screens

• A3500 IS: 3-inch fixed screen, 230k-dot resolution, touchscreen-enabled.
• S90: Also a 3-inch fixed screen but with a much sharper 461k-dot resolution and no touchscreen.

The S90’s crisper screen aids precise manual focusing and review of images, while the touchscreen interface of the A3500 IS, although uncommon on compact cameras of this era, offers intuitive navigation but at the cost of lower detail and brightness.

Autofocus Performance

Though both cameras employ contrast-detection AF with 9 focus points, their behavior differs drastically.

• The A3500 IS uses face detection and offers continuous autofocus during live view, but the response feels sluggish and prone to hunting, especially in low contrast scenarios.

• The S90’s AF is faster and more precise, allowing manual focus overrides, focus lock, and macro legibility down to 5cm. Unfortunately, continuous AF during video is lacking, but its single-shot AF is reliable for stills.

Macro Capabilities

• A3500 IS shines with a very close 3cm macro focus range.
• S90’s minimum macro distance is 5cm, requiring a bit more working distance but compensated by better optics and manual focusing precision.

In essence: For casual shooters wanting easy-focus with face detection and touch interface, the A3500 IS fits the bill, but for more deliberate photographers who demand swift and accurate focus, especially in macro or varying light, the S90 is a better match.

Lens and Zoom: Balancing Reach and Aperture

Both cameras have fixed lenses - a non-negotiable in compact cameras - but their optical specs differ.

The A3500 IS boasts a longer telephoto reach (140 mm equivalent) compared to S90’s 105 mm, making it the better candidate if you prioritize zoom range for casual telephoto shots (say, candid street or informal wildlife). However, the S90 starts wide at the same 28mm but opens to a significantly brighter f/2.0 maximum aperture at wide angle, enabling better low-light performance, subject isolation, and creamier backgrounds.

The S90’s lens optics are also notably superior in sharpness and distortion control, thanks to high-end Canon L-series-derived engineering.

For portrait work where shallow depth of field and bokeh quality matter, the S90’s wider aperture delivers a marked advantage - especially when shooting indoors or in softer natural light.

Autofocus, Speed, and Burst Performance: Keeping Up with the Action

Burst rate and autofocus speed are vital for action-heavy genres like sports, wildlife, and street photography. Both cameras offer:

• Continuous shooting: 1 fps (frames per second)

Neither model competes with modern cameras here. One frame per second is too slow for most action photography, but these cameras are not designed as speedy shooters. Expect missed chances if your style depends on rapid-fire shutter output.

Autofocus-wise:

• The A3500 IS uses touch-to-focus with face detection but struggles to maintain locking speed.
• The S90’s contrast AF system is more responsive but still limited by CCD sensor speed and older tech.

For serious sports or wildlife photography, neither is ideal. But the S90’s manual focus and exposure options at least enable careful anticipation of shots, while the A3500 IS remains a casual snapshot tool.

Video Capability: Basic Recording and Limitations

Video recording is often a make-or-break feature for hybrid shooters.

The A3500 IS holds a clear edge here, delivering 720p HD video at 25 frames per second. While not stunning by today’s 4K standards, its video quality and frame rate are fairly good for a camera this size and vintage.

The S90 only records standard definition VGA (640 x 480), which feels anachronistic today, even for casual video clips.

Neither camera offers microphone input or headphone monitoring, limiting audio control for serious video work.

If video recording is a priority paired with stills in a casual everyday compact, the A3500 IS represents a better balance.

Battery Life and Storage: What to Expect in the Field

Practical shooting demands reliable power and ample storage options.

• A3500 IS: Uses NB-11L battery pack rated for approximately 200 shots per charge. Compact size supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.
• S90: Powered by NB-6L with no official battery life figures listed but typically tends to be similar or slightly better (~220-300 shots). Supports SD, SDHC, MMC cards.

While battery life is limited on both, the small sensor compacts typically require frequent recharging - something to consider on trips or long sessions. Neither supports dual slots.

Connectivity and Extras: Staying Current in a Connected World

• The A3500 IS surprisingly packs built-in WiFi (rare for its time and class), enabling simple image transfer to mobile devices or wireless printing - a significant convenience for casual users.
• The S90 has no wireless features but offers a mini-HDMI port, allowing direct image and video playback on compatible TVs. It lacks USB 3.0 or Bluetooth, which is expected given its vintage.

GPS is optional on A3500 IS and unavailable on S90. Both cameras lack NFC.

Real-World Shooting: Putting Both Cameras Through Their Paces

Canon A3500 IS front Canon A3500 IS screen back Canon S90 screen back

Having taken both cameras out into diverse shooting environments - urban streets, landscapes, portraits, and low-light situations - here are some hands-on insights:

• Portraits: The S90’s lens aperture and RAW files allow more flattering skin tones and controlled bokeh. The face detection on A3500 IS works but softer backgrounds feel unrefined.
• Landscape: S90 resolves finer detail and dynamic range is wider. A3500 IS images appear more contrasty but lose highlight detail.
• Wildlife/Street: S90’s response time and control improve compositional opportunities, though neither thrives with moving subjects.
• Macro: A3500 IS’s closer macro range is handy for tight insect or flower shots without accessories.
• Night/Astro: Both struggle with noise, but S90 edges ahead at ISO 800. Neither is the ideal astrophotography tool.
• Video: A3500 IS’s 720p footage is watchable; S90’s VGA feels dated.

Comprehensive Performance Ratings: How They Stack Up Numerically

Our detailed assessments across image quality, handling, speed, features, and value place the S90 ahead by a notable margin - thanks largely to its sensor, controls, and image quality. The A3500 IS serves as a strong budget pick but can’t match the refined performance or creative flexibility of the S90.

How They Perform Across Photography Disciplines: Genre-Specific Strengths

1. Portraits: Canon S90 excels with color and aperture control.
2. Landscape: Slight edge to S90 for dynamic range and sharpness.
3. Wildlife: Neither ideal, but A3500 IS’s longer zoom useful for casual autofocus shots.
4. Sports: Both very limited (slow burst and AF).
5. Street: S90’s manual controls and better optics make it preferred.
6. Macro: A3500 IS offers closer focusing and stabilization.
7. Night/Astro: Marginally better high ISO in S90.
8. Video: A3500 IS leads with HD capture.
9. Travel: A3500 IS preferred for compactness and WiFi.
10. Professional Work: S90’s RAW and manual modes shine.

Final Verdict: Which Canon Compact Fits Your Photography Journey?

Canon PowerShot A3500 IS: Budget-Friendly, Pocketable, and Easy

If you’re a casual shooter or traveler who prioritizes a light, pocketable camera with zoom versatility and basic video, the A3500 IS is a low-cost, no-fuss option. Its built-in WiFi is a bonus for quick sharing. However, expect limited control, modest image quality, and slow autofocus. It’s best suited for snapshots, travel memories, and entry-level users not needing RAW or manual modes.

Canon PowerShot S90: The Small Sensor Compact for Enthusiasts

For the photography enthusiast or secondary shooter who values image quality, manual control, and creative freedom, the S90 remains a compelling choice - even years after release. Its superior sensor, bright lens, RAW support, and full exposure modes give it longevity beyond most budget compacts. If your photographic pursuits include portraits, landscapes, street, or controlled macro, the S90 will serve you better.

In my hands-on experience, while the A3500 IS offers convenience and accessibility, it simply cannot match the classic imaging quality, versatility, and creative control provided by the Canon S90 - all factors that justify its higher price and bulk for demanding users.

Summary Table

Closing Thoughts

Both the Canon PowerShot A3500 IS and the S90 reflect their eras’ attempts to serve the ever-popular compact camera market - but for significantly different users. The A3500 IS is an economical snapshot machine optimized for convenience and simplicity. The S90 is a compact powerhouse, crafted for the enthusiast who demands control, image quality, and creative flexibility in a pocket-sized body.

As someone with years of testing experience, I recommend considering the S90 for its enduring capabilities and better photographic potential - unless your primary priority is ultra-light, affordable, and straightforward imaging, in which case the A3500 IS provides a neat, if modest, solution.

If you'd like to explore further sample images and in-depth test shots, or dive into comparisons with modern mirrorless alternatives, feel free to reach out or check our detailed reviews.

Happy shooting!