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Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX160 IS

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
35
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
Portability
86
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX160 IS Key Specs

Canon A3500 IS
(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
  • Introduced January 2013
Canon SX160 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 291g - 111 x 73 x 44mm
  • Launched June 2013
  • Succeeded the Canon SX150 IS
  • Renewed by Canon SX170 IS
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Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX160 IS Overview

Lets look closer at the Canon A3500 IS and Canon SX160 IS, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are built by Canon. The image resolution of the A3500 IS (16MP) and the SX160 IS (16MP) is fairly similar and they possess the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The A3500 IS was announced 5 months before the SX160 IS which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the A3500 IS scores against the SX160 IS with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Canon SX160 IS

 A3500 IS SX160 IS 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Canon A3500 IS

 SX160 IS A3500 IS 
Focus manually Very exact focus

Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Canon SX160 IS

 A3500 IS SX160 IS 
LaunchedJanuary 2013June 2013Similar age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX160 IS Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon A3500 IS comes with exterior dimensions of 98mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Canon SX160 IS has proportions of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") with a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs).

Analyze the Canon A3500 IS and Canon SX160 IS in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the A3500 IS and the SX160 IS.

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX160 IS size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the A3500 IS and SX160 IS is 96 and 86 respectively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX160 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX160 IS Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizing purely by going over specs. The visual below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the A3500 IS and SX160 IS.

All in all, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of photographs but you would want to consider the age of the products into consideration.

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX160 IS sensor size comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX160 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX160 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Portrait photography info
Canon SX160 IS Portrait photography info
35
megapixel count decent (16MP)
supports face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
46
focusing manually
high flash sync (1/2,000s)
MP count good (16MP)
includes face detect autofocus
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon A3500 IS as a Street photography camera
Canon SX160 IS as a Street photography camera
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus by touch
lighter than competition (135 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (291g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon A3500 IS
Sports photography with Canon SX160 IS
38
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
supports tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery (200 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
51
amazing zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
includes tracking focus
better than average battery (380 shots)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Travel photography highlights
Canon SX160 IS Travel photography highlights
68
lighter than competition (135 grams)
includes focus by touch
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse function
bad battery (200 per charge)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
better than average battery (380 per charge)
lighter than competition in class (291 grams)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
long zoom (448mm)
missing Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Landscape photography information
Canon SX160 IS Landscape photography information
42
pretty wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
bad battery (200 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
51
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
better than average battery (380 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Vlogging advice
Canon SX160 IS Vlogging advice
34
pretty wide (28mm)
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (135 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone support
31
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
lighter than competition in class (291g)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone socket
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Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX160 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3500 IS and Canon SX160 IS
 Canon PowerShot A3500 ISCanon PowerShot SX160 IS
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot A3500 IS Canon PowerShot SX160 IS
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-01-07 2013-06-21
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 4 Digic 4
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-448mm (16.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus range 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/3200 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m 3.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
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) 291g (0.64 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 380 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack AA
Battery model NB-11L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $115 $199