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Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX500 IS

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
35
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
Portability
80
Imaging
40
Features
40
Overall
40

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX500 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
  • Launched January 2013
Canon SX500 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
  • 341g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
  • Announced August 2012
  • Replacement is Canon SX510 HS
Photography Glossary

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Overview

Below, we are comparing the Canon A3500 IS and Canon SX500 IS, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are sold by Canon. The sensor resolution of the A3500 IS (16MP) and the SX500 IS (16MP) is very well matched and they come with the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The A3500 IS was introduced 5 months after the SX500 IS so they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the A3500 IS matches up against the SX500 IS when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Canon SX500 IS

 A3500 IS SX500 IS 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Canon A3500 IS

 SX500 IS A3500 IS 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Canon SX500 IS

 A3500 IS SX500 IS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013August 2012Similar age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon A3500 IS enjoys external dimensions of 98mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) whilst the Canon SX500 IS has dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon A3500 IS and Canon SX500 IS in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the A3500 IS versus the SX500 IS.

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX500 IS size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A3500 IS and SX500 IS is 96 and 80 respectively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX500 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to envision the gap between sensor dimensions only by looking at a spec sheet. The pic underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the A3500 IS and SX500 IS.

As you can see, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same MP so you can expect similar quality of images but you will want to factor the age of the products into consideration.

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX500 IS sensor size comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3500 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Canon SX500 IS as a Portrait photography camera
35
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has face detection focus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
46
has manual focus
above average flash sync (1/1,600 seconds)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has face detect autofocus
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon A3500 IS
Street photography with Canon SX500 IS
67
image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch to focus
lighter than competition (135g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Sports photography highlights
Canon SX500 IS Sports photography highlights
38
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery power (200 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
45
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (195 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Travel photography features
Canon SX500 IS Travel photography features
68
lighter than competition (135g)
boasts touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
low battery power (200 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
60
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (195 CIPA)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3500 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Canon SX500 IS as a Landscape photography camera
42
rather wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
low battery power (200 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse recording
46
has manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
terrible battery power (195 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Vlogging highlights
Canon SX500 IS Vlogging highlights
34
rather wide (28mm)
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
lighter than competition (135 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic support
28
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic jack
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Canon A3500 IS vs Canon SX500 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3500 IS and Canon SX500 IS
 Canon PowerShot A3500 ISCanon PowerShot SX500 IS
General Information
Make Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot A3500 IS Canon PowerShot SX500 IS
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-01-07 2012-08-21
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 dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
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 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 1
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.4-5.8
Macro focus range 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 461k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 5.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/1600 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format H.264 H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 135 gr (0.30 pounds) 341 gr (0.75 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1")
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 pictures 195 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-11L NB-6L
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
Pricing at launch $115 $299