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Canon A3500 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ

Portability
96 Imaging
40 Features
35 Overall
38
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS front
 
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
Portability
69 Imaging
38 Features
29 Overall
34

Canon A3500 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ 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
  • Released January 2013
Olympus SP-820UZ
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-896mm (F3.4-5.7) lens
  • 485g - 117 x 78 x 93mm
  • Introduced August 2012
  • Older Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
  • Refreshed by Olympus SP-820UZ
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Canon A3500 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Canon A3500 IS and Olympus SP-820UZ, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Canon and Olympus. The image resolution of the A3500 IS (16MP) and the SP-820UZ (14MP) is pretty close and they come with the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The A3500 IS was introduced 5 months later than the SP-820UZ and they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the A3500 IS scores versus the SP-820UZ with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Olympus SP-820UZ

		

		

			
 A3500 IS SP-820UZ 
Touch screen  Quickly navigate
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Canon A3500 IS

		

		

			
 SP-820UZ A3500 IS 
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Olympus SP-820UZ

		

		

			
 A3500 IS SP-820UZ 
IntroducedJanuary 2013August 2012Same age
Focus manually  Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen  Missing selfie screen
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Canon A3500 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ Physical Comparison

		

		

			
When you are looking to carry your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon A3500 IS has 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) whilst the Olympus SP-820UZ has proportions of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") accompanied by a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs).
Check out the Canon A3500 IS and Olympus SP-820UZ in our newest 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 have chosen during that time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the A3500 IS vs the SP-820UZ.
Canon A3500 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ size comparison
Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A3500 IS and SP-820UZ is 96 and 69 respectively.
Canon A3500 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Canon A3500 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
More often than not, it can be difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing just by researching specifications. The graphic underneath will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the A3500 IS and SP-820UZ.
To sum up, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can expect the Canon A3500 IS to render more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively.
	
			Canon A3500 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Canon A3500 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Canon A3500 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
			Photography Glossary	

	
	
	
	

	

		
Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Canon A3500 IS Portrait photography highlights
Olympus SP-820UZ Portrait photography highlights
35
 resolution is good (16MP)
 comes with face detect focus
 manual focus not available
 no manual mode
 cannot use external flash
 small sensor (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW support
34
 good MP (14MP)
 has face detect focusing
 focusing manually not possible
 no manual control
 no external flash support
 sensor  is tiny (1/2.3")
 no RAW files
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Street Comparison
 Canon A3500 IS as a Street photography camera
 Olympus SP-820UZ as a Street photography camera
67
 image stabilization (Optical)
 offers focus by touch
 lighter than competitors (135g)
 screen does not articulate
 small sensor (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW support
37
 no moving screen
 no image stabilization
 sensor  is tiny (1/2.3")
 no RAW files
 more heavy than average (485g)
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Sports Comparison
 Canon A3500 IS as a Sports photography camera
 Olympus SP-820UZ as a Sports photography camera
38
 image stabilization (Optical)
 resolution is good (16 megapixels)
 comes with tracking focus
 slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
 no shutter priority mode
 small sensor (1/2.3")
 terrible battery life (200 per charge)
 lacks phase detect auto focus
33
 great zoom range (22-896mm  40.7 x zoom)
 good MP (14 megapixels)
 continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
 lack of shutter priority mode
 no image stabilization
 sensor  is tiny (1/2.3")
 no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison
Canon A3500 IS Travel photography features
Olympus SP-820UZ Travel photography features
68
 lighter than competitors (135 grams)
 offers focus by touch
 resolution is good (16 megapixels)
 built-in flash
 relatively wide (28mm)
 no Time Lapse function
 terrible battery life (200 per charge)
 display isn't selfie friendly
 sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
55
 good MP (14MP)
 has built in flash
 fairly wide (22mm)
 great reach (896mm)
 doesn't have Timelapse recording
 more heavy than average (485 grams)
 display is not selfie friendly
 slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison
 Canon A3500 IS as a Landscape photography camera
 Olympus SP-820UZ as a Landscape photography camera
42
 relatively wide (28mm)
 screen is a good size (3 inch)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 resolution is good (16MP)
 manual focus not available
 cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
 sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
 no manual mode
 small sensor (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW support
 terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
 no Time Lapse function
35
 fairly wide (22mm)
 good sized screen (3 inch)
 good MP (14 megapixels)
 focusing manually not possible
 lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
 slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
 no manual control
 no image stabilization
 sensor  is tiny (1/2.3")
 no RAW files
 doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison
Canon A3500 IS Vlogging details
Olympus SP-820UZ Vlogging details
34
 relatively wide (28mm)
 touchscreen
 image stabilization (Optical)
 comes with face detect focus
 lighter than competitors (135g)
 sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
 display isn't selfie friendly
 low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
 no mic support
25
 fairly wide (22mm)
 has face detect focusing
 video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
 slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
 display is not selfie friendly
 no image stabilization
 doesn't have microphone support
 more heavy than average (485 grams)
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Canon A3500 IS vs Olympus SP-820UZ Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3500 IS and Olympus SP-820UZ
 Canon PowerShot A3500 ISOlympus Stylus SP-820UZ
General Information
Make Canon Olympus
Model type Canon PowerShot A3500 IS Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-01-07 2012-08-21
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 4 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
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 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 4:3 and  16:9 4:3 and  16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format    
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Touch focus    
Autofocus continuous    
Autofocus single    
Autofocus tracking    
Selective autofocus    
Center weighted autofocus    
Multi area autofocus    
Autofocus live view    
Face detect autofocus    
Contract detect autofocus    
Phase detect autofocus    
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 22-896mm (40.7x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.4-5.7
Macro focusing distance 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch screen    
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Expose Manually    
Set white balance    
Image stabilization    
Integrated flash    
Flash distance 3.00 m 15.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe    
AEB    
WB bracketing    
Exposure
Multisegment exposure    
Average exposure    
Spot exposure    
Partial exposure    
AF area exposure    
Center weighted exposure    
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 180 (30, 240 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
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 proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 135 grams (0.30 pounds) 485 grams (1.07 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photos -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-11L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse feature    
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Price at launch $115 $299