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Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S5100

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
35
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S5100 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S5100 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
  • Launched January 2013
Nikon S5100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.7-6.6) lens
  • 132g - 97 x 57 x 22mm
  • Released August 2010
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Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S5100 Overview

Following is a comprehensive analysis of the Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S5100, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. There is a significant difference among the sensor resolutions of the A3500 IS (16MP) and S5100 (12MP) but they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The A3500 IS was manufactured 2 years after the S5100 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a complete comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the A3500 IS matches up against the S5100 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Nikon S5100

 A3500 IS S5100 
ReleasedJanuary 2013August 2010More modern by 30 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon S5100 over the Canon A3500 IS

 S5100 A3500 IS 

Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Nikon S5100

 A3500 IS S5100 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S5100 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Canon A3500 IS comes with outside 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 Nikon S5100 has specifications of 97mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S5100 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the A3500 IS against the S5100.

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S5100 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the A3500 IS and S5100 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S5100 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S5100 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizes merely by viewing a spec sheet. The picture underneath should give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the A3500 IS and S5100.

Clearly, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should count on the Canon A3500 IS to render more detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The newer A3500 IS provides a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S5100 sensor size comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3500 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon S5100 as a Portrait photography camera
35
good MP (16MP)
provides face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
21
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon A3500 IS as a Street photography camera
Nikon S5100 as a Street photography camera
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (132 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Sports photography advice
Nikon S5100 Sports photography advice
38
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (200 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Travel photography advice
Nikon S5100 Travel photography advice
68
lighter than competition in class (135g)
provides focus by touch
good MP (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
bad battery power (200 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
62
lighter than competition in class (132g)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Landscape photography info
Nikon S5100 Landscape photography info
42
decently wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
bad battery power (200 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
32
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen is small (2.7")
manual mode not available
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3500 IS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon S5100 as a Vlogging camera
34
decently wide (28mm)
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
lighter than competition in class (135g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone socket
31
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (132 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic jack
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Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3500 IS and Nikon S5100
 Canon PowerShot A3500 ISNikon Coolpix S5100
General Information
Make Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot A3500 IS Nikon Coolpix S5100
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-01-07 2010-08-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
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) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/2.7-6.6
Macro focus range 3cm 2cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 135g (0.30 pounds) 132g (0.29 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 97 x 57 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 photos -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-11L EN-EL10
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $115 $200