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Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S9500

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S9500 front
Portability
92
Imaging
41
Features
37
Overall
39

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S9500 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
  • Announced January 2013
Nikon S9500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-550mm (F) lens
  • 205g - 110 x 60 x 31mm
  • Announced January 2013
  • Old Model is Nikon S9300
  • Replacement is Nikon S9700
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Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S9500 Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Canon A3500 IS and Nikon S9500, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the A3500 IS (16MP) and the S9500 (18MP) is pretty similar and they enjoy the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The A3500 IS was introduced very close to the S9500 so they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a thorough comparison, below is a concise summary of how the A3500 IS grades vs the S9500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Nikon S9500

 A3500 IS S9500 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon S9500 over the Canon A3500 IS

 S9500 A3500 IS 
Screen resolution614k230kSharper screen (+384k dot)

Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Nikon S9500

 A3500 IS S9500 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013January 2013Similar age
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S9500 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon A3500 IS has got outside dimensions of 98mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Nikon S9500 has measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs).

Compare the Canon A3500 IS and Nikon S9500 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the A3500 IS and the S9500.

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S9500 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A3500 IS and S9500 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S9500 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S9500 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizes simply by going over technical specs. The picture here might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the A3500 IS and S9500.

As you can tell, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Nikon S9500 to offer you more detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S9500 sensor size comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S9500 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S9500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3500 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon S9500 as a Portrait photography camera
34
MP count good (16MP)
offers face detection focus
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
31
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Street photography factors
Nikon S9500 Street photography factors
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus via touch
lighter than competitors in class (135 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (205g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3500 IS as a Sports photography camera
Nikon S9500 as a Sports photography camera
38
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
low fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (200 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
41
excellent zoom range (25-550mm 22.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (230 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Travel photography features
Nikon S9500 Travel photography features
68
lighter than competitors in class (135 grams)
includes focus via touch
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse function
terrible battery life (200 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
lighter than competitors (205g)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (550mm)
fast maximum aperture (f)
does not have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery pack (230 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Landscape photography information
Nikon S9500 Landscape photography information
41
relatively wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
46
decently wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
not so great battery pack (230 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3500 IS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon S9500 as a Vlogging camera
34
relatively wide (28mm)
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
lighter than competitors in class (135g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic socket
36
decently wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f)
has image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (205 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic socket
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Canon A3500 IS vs Nikon S9500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3500 IS and Nikon S9500
 Canon PowerShot A3500 ISNikon Coolpix S9500
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot A3500 IS Nikon Coolpix S9500
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-01-07 2013-01-29
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 4 -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 99
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-550mm (22.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-6.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 614 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - OLED monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 7.5fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 135 grams (0.30 lb) 205 grams (0.45 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 110 x 60 x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photographs 230 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-11L EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $115 $230