Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S5100
96 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
37


95 Imaging
35 Features
21 Overall
29
Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S5100 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
- Launched January 2013
(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

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").

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.

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S5100 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot A3500 IS and Nikon Coolpix S5100. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon A3500 IS Gallery and Nikon S5100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Nikon S5100
A3500 IS | S5100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2013 | ![]() | August 2010 | More modern by 30 months |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S5100 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS | Nikon 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 |