Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX160 IS
96 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
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86 Imaging
40 Features
45 Overall
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Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX160 IS 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
- Introduced January 2013
(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

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").

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.

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX160 IS Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot A3500 IS & Canon PowerShot SX160 IS. The whole galleries are provided at Canon A3500 IS Gallery & Canon SX160 IS Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2013 | ![]() | June 2013 | Similar age |
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display sizing |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX160 IS Specifications
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS | Canon 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 |