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Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S6100

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S6100 front
Portability
93
Imaging
38
Features
39
Overall
38

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S6100 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
  • Introduced January 2013
Nikon S6100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-196mm (F3.7-5.6) lens
  • 175g - 98 x 58 x 27mm
  • Revealed February 2011
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Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S6100 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Canon A3500 IS versus Nikon S6100, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the A3500 IS (16MP) and the S6100 (16MP) is fairly well matched and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The A3500 IS was released 24 months later than the S6100 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a more detailed comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the A3500 IS scores versus the S6100 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Nikon S6100

 A3500 IS S6100 
RevealedJanuary 2013February 2011More recent by 24 months

Reasons to pick Nikon S6100 over the Canon A3500 IS

 S6100 A3500 IS 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Nikon S6100

 A3500 IS S6100 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S6100 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon A3500 IS offers exterior measurements 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 S6100 has measurements of 98mm x 58mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon A3500 IS versus Nikon S6100 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the A3500 IS vs the S6100.

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S6100 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the A3500 IS and S6100 is 96 and 93 respectively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S6100 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S6100 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to see the difference between sensor measurements just by looking at a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the A3500 IS and S6100.

Clearly, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same megapixels so you should expect similar quality of files though you will want to take the release date of the products into consideration. The younger A3500 IS is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S6100 sensor size comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S6100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S6100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Portrait photography highlights
Nikon S6100 Portrait photography highlights
34
MP count decent (16MP)
comes with face detection focus
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
39
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has face detect autofocus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon A3500 IS
Street photography with Nikon S6100
67
image stabilization (Optical)
offers touch to focus
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch focus
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3500 IS as a Sports photography camera
Nikon S6100 as a Sports photography camera
38
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery life (200 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
37
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
has tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (210 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3500 IS as a Travel photography camera
Nikon S6100 as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
offers touch to focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse function
low battery life (200 CIPA)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
64
includes touch focus
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse function
not so great battery power (210 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon A3500 IS
Landscape photography with Nikon S6100
41
really wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
low battery life (200 per charge)
missing Time Lapse function
45
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
manual exposure not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
not so great battery power (210 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3500 IS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon S6100 as a Vlogging camera
34
really wide (28mm)
touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic jack
32
relatively wide (28mm)
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone support
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Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S6100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3500 IS and Nikon S6100
 Canon PowerShot A3500 ISNikon Coolpix S6100
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot A3500 IS Nikon Coolpix S6100
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-01-07 2011-02-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 4 Expeed C2
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-196mm (7.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.7-5.6
Macro focus distance 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - TFT touchscreen LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.00 m 4.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 135g (0.30 pounds) 175g (0.39 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 98 x 58 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 210 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-11L EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Price at launch $115 $195