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Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic S3

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
35
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic S3 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
Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2011
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Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic S3 Overview

Following is a comprehensive review of the Canon A3500 IS versus Panasonic S3, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the A3500 IS (16MP) and the S3 (14MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The A3500 IS was manufactured 2 years after the S3 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple overview of how the A3500 IS grades against the S3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Panasonic S3

 A3500 IS S3 
RevealedJanuary 2013January 2011More modern by 25 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Canon A3500 IS

 S3 A3500 IS 

Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Panasonic S3

 A3500 IS S3 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon A3500 IS enjoys outside dimensions of 98mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S3 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Analyze the Canon A3500 IS versus Panasonic S3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the A3500 IS vs the S3.

Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the A3500 IS and S3 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizes just by reading through a spec sheet. The picture underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the A3500 IS and S3.

Clearly, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should count on the Canon A3500 IS to give more detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs more aggressively. The fresher A3500 IS provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon A3500 IS
Portrait photography with Panasonic S3
35
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
comes with face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
28
good resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Street photography info
Panasonic S3 Street photography info
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus by touch
lighter than competitors (135 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon A3500 IS
Sports photography with Panasonic S3
38
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (200 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
35
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
low fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Travel photography factors
Panasonic S3 Travel photography factors
68
lighter than competitors (135 grams)
supports focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
terrible battery power (200 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than competition in class (117g)
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3500 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Landscape photography camera
42
rather wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
terrible battery power (200 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
38
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3500 IS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic S3 as a Vlogging camera
34
rather wide (28mm)
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
lighter than competitors (135 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic support
31
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone jack
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Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3500 IS and Panasonic S3
 Canon PowerShot A3500 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot A3500 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-01-07 2011-01-05
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 4 Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focusing range 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 135 gr (0.30 lb) 117 gr (0.26 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 images 250 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-11L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $115 $110