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Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX170 IS

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
35
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Key Specs

Canon A3500 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 135g - 98 x 56 x 20mm
  • Released January 2013
Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 251g - 108 x 71 x 44mm
  • Announced August 2013
  • Replaced the Canon SX160 IS
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Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Overview

Below is a in depth review of the Canon A3500 IS and Canon SX170 IS, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both sold by Canon. The sensor resolution of the A3500 IS (16MP) and the SX170 IS (16MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The A3500 IS was announced 7 months before the SX170 IS so they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief overview of how the A3500 IS matches up versus the SX170 IS in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Canon SX170 IS

 A3500 IS SX170 IS 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Canon A3500 IS

 SX170 IS A3500 IS 
AnnouncedAugust 2013January 2013More recent by 7 months
Focus manually Very accurate focus

Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Canon SX170 IS

 A3500 IS SX170 IS 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon A3500 IS has physical measurements of 98mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) whilst the Canon SX170 IS has sizing of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs).

Check out the Canon A3500 IS and Canon SX170 IS in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the A3500 IS against the SX170 IS.

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX170 IS size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A3500 IS and SX170 IS is 96 and 88 respectively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX170 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to envision the gap between sensor measurements merely by checking specifications. The photograph here will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the A3500 IS and SX170 IS.

Plainly, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same megapixels so you can expect similar quality of images but you should consider the age of the products into consideration. The older A3500 IS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX170 IS sensor size comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Portrait photography info
Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography info
35
decent MP (16MP)
provides face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
44
manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Street photography information
Canon SX170 IS Street photography information
67
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with focus by touch
lighter than others (135g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (251 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Sports photography factors
Canon SX170 IS Sports photography factors
38
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
provides tracking focus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
48
incredible zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Travel photography factors
Canon SX170 IS Travel photography factors
68
lighter than others (135 grams)
comes with focus by touch
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than others (251g)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
long reach (448mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Landscape photography advice
Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography advice
42
pretty wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
terrible battery life (200 shots)
lack of Timelapse recording
49
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon A3500 IS
Vlogging with Canon SX170 IS
34
pretty wide (28mm)
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
lighter than others (135g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone port
31
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
lighter than others (251 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone port
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Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3500 IS and Canon SX170 IS
 Canon PowerShot A3500 ISCanon PowerShot SX170 IS
General Information
Brand Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot A3500 IS Canon PowerShot SX170 IS
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-01-07 2013-08-22
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-448mm (16.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing range 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/3200 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 3.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 135g (0.30 pounds) 251g (0.55 pounds)
Physical dimensions 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 life 200 shots 300 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-11L NB-6LH
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $115 $0