Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L120
96 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
37


75 Imaging
37 Features
38 Overall
37
Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L120 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
- Announced January 2013
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
- 431g - 110 x 77 x 78mm
- Released February 2011
- Previous Model is Nikon L110

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L120 Overview
The following is a thorough review of the Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L120, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Canon and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the A3500 IS (16MP) and the L120 (14MP) is pretty comparable and they come with the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The A3500 IS was unveiled 24 months after the L120 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the A3500 IS scores versus the L120 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L120 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot A3500 IS and Nikon Coolpix L120. The full galleries are provided at Canon A3500 IS Gallery and Nikon L120 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Nikon L120
A3500 IS | L120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2013 | ![]() | February 2011 | Newer by 24 months |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Canon A3500 IS
L120 | A3500 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Nikon L120
A3500 IS | L120 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen |
Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L120 Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon A3500 IS provides exterior dimensions of 98mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Nikon L120 has dimensions of 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") with a weight of 431 grams (0.95 lbs).
Examine the Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L120 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the A3500 IS versus the L120.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the A3500 IS and L120 is 96 and 75 respectively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L120 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is hard to see the gap in sensor dimensions just by checking out specs. The image underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the A3500 IS and L120.
All in all, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Canon A3500 IS to provide more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The newer A3500 IS is going to have an edge in sensor tech.

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L120 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L120 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS | Nikon Coolpix L120 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon PowerShot A3500 IS | Nikon Coolpix L120 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2013-01-07 | 2011-02-09 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | DIGIC 4 | Expeed C2 |
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 area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 25-525mm (21.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/2.8-6.9 | f/3.1-5.8 |
Macro focus range | 3cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dot | 921 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display technology | - | TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15s | 4s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | 6.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
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 grams (0.30 pounds) | 431 grams (0.95 pounds) |
Dimensions | 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") | 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" 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 images | 330 images |
Battery format | Battery Pack | AA |
Battery model | NB-11L | 4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (10 or 2 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $115 | $300 |