Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX170 IS
96 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
37
88 Imaging
39 Features
41 Overall
39
Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Key Specs
(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
(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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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").
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banThe 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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Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot A3500 IS & Canon PowerShot SX170 IS. The whole galleries are available at Canon A3500 IS Gallery & Canon SX170 IS Gallery.
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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | August 2013 | January 2013 | More 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 type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal screen measurement | |
| Screen resolution | 230k | 230k | Equal 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Specifications
| Canon PowerShot A3500 IS | Canon 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 |