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Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon A900

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
35
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix A900 front
Portability
88
Imaging
46
Features
58
Overall
50

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon A900 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
Nikon A900
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-840mm (F3.4-6.9) lens
  • 289g - 113 x 67 x 40mm
  • Announced February 2016
  • Updated by Nikon A1000
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Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon A900 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon A900, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the A3500 IS (16MP) and the A900 (20MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The A3500 IS was manufactured 4 years earlier than the A900 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a complete comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the A3500 IS matches up versus the A900 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Nikon A900

 A3500 IS A900 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon A900 over the Canon A3500 IS

 A900 A3500 IS 
AnnouncedFebruary 2016January 2013Newer by 38 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Nikon A900

 A3500 IS A900 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon A900 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon A3500 IS features physical 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 Nikon A900 has proportions of 113mm x 67mm x 40mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6") and a weight of 289 grams (0.64 lbs).

See the Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon A900 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the A3500 IS compared to the A900.

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon A900 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A3500 IS and A900 is 96 and 88 respectively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon A900 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon A900 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to envision the difference in sensor dimensions only by checking out specifications. The image below will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the A3500 IS and A900.

Plainly, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Nikon A900 to provide extra detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged A3500 IS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon A900 sensor size comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon A900 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon A900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Portrait photography information
Nikon A900 Portrait photography information
35
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
supports face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
40
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
supports face detection focusing
no manual focus
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Street photography advice
Nikon A900 Street photography advice
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch to focus
lighter than average in class (135 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
69
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (289 grams)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon A3500 IS
Sports photography with Nikon A900
38
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
56
long zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Travel photography info
Nikon A900 Travel photography info
68
lighter than average in class (135g)
includes touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
74
lighter than competitors (289g)
supports bluetooth
good megapixels (20MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (840mm)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3500 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon A900 as a Landscape photography camera
42
really wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
no Time Lapse recording
49
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Vlogging information
Nikon A900 Vlogging information
34
really wide (28mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
lighter than average in class (135g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic port
34
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
lighter than competitors (289 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
does not have external mic support
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Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon A900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3500 IS and Nikon A900
 Canon PowerShot A3500 ISNikon Coolpix A900
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot A3500 IS Nikon Coolpix A900
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-01-07 2016-02-23
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 4 -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 24-840mm (35.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.4-6.9
Macro focusing range 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 6.00 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p, 25p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 135 gr (0.30 pounds) 289 gr (0.64 pounds)
Physical dimensions 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 113 x 67 x 40mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6")
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
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-11L EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail price $115 $400