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Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L21

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
35
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
11
Overall
23

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L21 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
  • Released January 2013
Nikon L21
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
  • 169g - 92 x 67 x 28mm
  • Announced February 2010
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Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L21 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Canon A3500 IS versus Nikon L21, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. There exists a significant gap among the sensor resolutions of the A3500 IS (16MP) and L21 (8MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The A3500 IS was launched 2 years after the L21 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a complete comparison, here is a concise summary of how the A3500 IS grades against the L21 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Nikon L21

 A3500 IS L21 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013February 2010More modern by 36 months
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Canon A3500 IS

 L21 A3500 IS 

Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Nikon L21

 A3500 IS L21 
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L21 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon A3500 IS offers 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 L21 has measurements of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") along with a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Canon A3500 IS versus Nikon L21 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the A3500 IS against the L21.

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L21 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A3500 IS and L21 is 96 and 93 respectively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L21 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L21 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizes just by looking through specs. The image here will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the A3500 IS and L21.

As you can plainly see, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Canon A3500 IS to result in more detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more modern A3500 IS provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L21 sensor size comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L21 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon A3500 IS
Portrait photography with Nikon L21
35
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
19
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
resolution not great (8 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Street photography factors
Nikon L21 Street photography factors
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus by touch
lighter than competitors (135g)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
46
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Sports photography factors
Nikon L21 Sports photography factors
38
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (200 per charge)
no phase detect AF
16
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (8 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Travel photography highlights
Nikon L21 Travel photography highlights
68
lighter than competitors (135 grams)
supports focus by touch
decent megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
no Timelapse mode
not so great battery (200 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
50
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
resolution not great (8 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3500 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon L21 as a Landscape photography camera
42
pretty wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
not so great battery (200 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
22
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.5 inches)
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (8 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Vlogging information
Nikon L21 Vlogging information
34
pretty wide (28mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
lighter than competitors (135 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone jack
21
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
missing microphone support
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Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon L21 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3500 IS and Nikon L21
 Canon PowerShot A3500 ISNikon Coolpix L21
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot A3500 IS Nikon Coolpix L21
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-01-07 2010-02-03
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 4 Expeed C2
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 8 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 100 64
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 38-136mm (3.6x)
Max aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focusing range 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.5"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure 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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 135 gr (0.30 lbs) 169 gr (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1")
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 -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-11L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $115 $180