Clicky

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S30

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S30 front
Portability
90
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S30 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
  • Revealed January 2013
Nikon S30
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 102 x 65 x 40mm
  • Launched February 2012
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S30 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S30, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the A3500 IS (16MP) and S30 (10MP) and the A3500 IS (1/2.3") and S30 (1/3") boast totally different sensor dimensions.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The A3500 IS was revealed 12 months after the S30 and they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the A3500 IS matches up vs the S30 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Nikon S30

 A3500 IS S30 
LaunchedJanuary 2013February 2012Newer by 12 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Canon A3500 IS

 S30 A3500 IS 

Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Nikon S30

 A3500 IS S30 
Manual focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S30 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon A3500 IS provides exterior measurements of 98mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Nikon S30 has dimensions of 102mm x 65mm x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Examine the Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S30 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at the time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the A3500 IS against the S30.

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S30 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A3500 IS and S30 is 96 and 90 respectively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S30 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S30 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very tough to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions merely by reading through a spec sheet. The pic here might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the A3500 IS and S30.

Clearly, the 2 cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The A3500 IS having a larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field simpler and the Canon A3500 IS will give you more detail because of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images more aggressively. The newer A3500 IS is going to have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S30 sensor size comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S30 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3500 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon S30 as a Portrait photography camera
34
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
25
features face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
low resolution (10MP)
very small sensor (1/3")
has no RAW format
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Street photography features
Nikon S30 Street photography features
67
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with focus via touch
lighter than competitors (135g)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
51
weather proof
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/3")
has no RAW format
heavier than competitors in class (214 grams)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Sports photography details
Nikon S30 Sports photography details
38
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
bad battery (200 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
29
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
weather proof
max frames per second very slow (1.5 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (10MP)
very small sensor (1/3")
has no phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Travel photography highlights
Nikon S30 Travel photography highlights
68
lighter than competitors (135 grams)
comes with focus via touch
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
bad battery (200 CIPA)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
52
weather proof
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors in class (214g)
low resolution (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (29mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Canon A3500 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon S30 as a Landscape photography camera
41
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
bad battery (200 per charge)
lack of Timelapse mode
26
weather proof
no manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (29mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/3")
has no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Vlogging factors
Nikon S30 Vlogging factors
34
reasonably wide (28mm)
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
lighter than competitors (135g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone port
23
features face detect focusing
wide angle not good (29mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic support
heavier than competitors in class (214g)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3500 IS and Nikon S30
 Canon PowerShot A3500 ISNikon Coolpix S30
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot A3500 IS Nikon Coolpix S30
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-01-07 2012-02-01
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 4.8 x 3.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 17.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 29-87mm (3.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 7.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT-LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 1.5 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync
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) 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format H.264 MPEG-4
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 135 gr (0.30 lb) 214 gr (0.47 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 102 x 65 x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photos 240 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery model NB-11L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $115 $119