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Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
35
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs

Canon A3500 IS
(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
  • Released January 2013
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
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Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

Here is a extensive review of the Canon A3500 IS and Panasonic SZ1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the A3500 IS (16MP) and the SZ1 (16MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras have the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The A3500 IS was manufactured 13 months later than the SZ1 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the A3500 IS scores versus the SZ1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Panasonic SZ1

 A3500 IS SZ1 
LaunchedJanuary 2013January 2012Fresher by 13 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Canon A3500 IS

 SZ1 A3500 IS 

Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Panasonic SZ1

 A3500 IS SZ1 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera often, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon A3500 IS offers physical measurements of 98mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ1 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Contrast the Canon A3500 IS and Panasonic SZ1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select during that time. The following is a front view size comparison of the A3500 IS versus the SZ1.

Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A3500 IS and SZ1 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizing only by checking out a spec sheet. The photograph underneath might give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the A3500 IS and SZ1.

Clearly, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same resolution so you can expect comparable quality of files however you will want to take the launch date of the cameras into account. The fresher A3500 IS should have a benefit in sensor tech.

Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Portrait photography info
Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography info
35
good resolution (16MP)
features face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
34
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
features face detection focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon A3500 IS
Street photography with Panasonic SZ1
67
image stabilization (Optical)
boasts focus via touch
lighter than others (135 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (131 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Sports photography details
Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography details
38
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery (200 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Travel photography features
Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography features
68
lighter than others (135g)
boasts focus via touch
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
low battery (200 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
70
lighter than others in class (131 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
missing Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Landscape photography information
Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography information
42
quite wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
low battery (200 shots)
lack of Timelapse recording
43
rather wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
manual focus not available
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Vlogging advice
Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging advice
34
quite wide (28mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
lighter than others (135g)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone port
32
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
lighter than others in class (131 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone port
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Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3500 IS and Panasonic SZ1
 Canon PowerShot A3500 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Brand Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot A3500 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-01-07 2012-01-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 4 -
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 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 3cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 135 gr (0.30 lbs) 131 gr (0.29 lbs)
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 Overall 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 photos 250 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-11L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $115 $179