Canon A3500 IS vs Olympus SZ-12
96 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
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89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
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Canon A3500 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- 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
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
- 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
- Launched January 2012

Canon A3500 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Overview
Its time to take a more detailed look at the Canon A3500 IS and Olympus SZ-12, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Canon and Olympus. The image resolution of the A3500 IS (16MP) and the SZ-12 (14MP) is very comparable and both cameras provide the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

The A3500 IS was revealed 13 months later than the SZ-12 making them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before getting straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise view of how the A3500 IS matches up versus the SZ-12 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon A3500 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot A3500 IS and Olympus SZ-12. The full galleries are available at Canon A3500 IS Gallery and Olympus SZ-12 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Olympus SZ-12
A3500 IS | SZ-12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2013 | ![]() | January 2012 | Fresher by 13 months |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Canon A3500 IS
SZ-12 | A3500 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Olympus SZ-12
A3500 IS | SZ-12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen |
Canon A3500 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to carry your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon A3500 IS enjoys exterior dimensions of 98mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Olympus SZ-12 has proportions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).
Examine the Canon A3500 IS and Olympus SZ-12 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the A3500 IS compared to the SZ-12.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A3500 IS and SZ-12 is 96 and 89 respectively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing only by going through specs. The graphic below might provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A3500 IS and SZ-12.
All in all, both cameras come with the identical sensor size but different MP. You should expect to see the Canon A3500 IS to produce extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The newer A3500 IS should have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon A3500 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS | Olympus SZ-12 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Olympus |
Model | Canon PowerShot A3500 IS | Olympus SZ-12 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2013-01-07 | 2012-01-10 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | DIGIC 4 | - |
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 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | - |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4288 x 3216 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 25-600mm (24.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/2.8-6.9 | f/3.0-6.9 |
Macro focus distance | 3cm | - |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 230k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15s | 4s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1700s |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | - |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
AE 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 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 grams (0.30 lbs) | 226 grams (0.50 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") |
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 shots | 220 shots |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | NB-11L | LI-50B |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at launch | $115 | $350 |