Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic ZS5
96 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
37


92 Imaging
35 Features
30 Overall
33
Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 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
- Introduced January 2013
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
- 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
- Launched June 2010
- Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ8

Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview
On this page, we are contrasting the Canon A3500 IS and Panasonic ZS5, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Canon and Panasonic. There exists a sizable gap between the resolutions of the A3500 IS (16MP) and ZS5 (12MP) but both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The A3500 IS was manufactured 2 years after the ZS5 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before delving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the A3500 IS scores vs the ZS5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot A3500 IS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5. The entire galleries are provided at Canon A3500 IS Gallery & Panasonic ZS5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Panasonic ZS5
A3500 IS | ZS5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2013 | ![]() | June 2010 | Newer by 32 months |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Canon A3500 IS
ZS5 | A3500 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Panasonic ZS5
A3500 IS | ZS5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen |
Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon A3500 IS comes with external measurements of 98mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS5 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).
Contrast the Canon A3500 IS and Panasonic ZS5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the A3500 IS and the ZS5.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A3500 IS and ZS5 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is difficult to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions merely by reading through technical specs. The pic underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the A3500 IS and ZS5.
As you have seen, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Canon A3500 IS to give you more detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos more aggressively. The newer A3500 IS is going to have an edge in sensor technology.

Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Panasonic |
Model type | Canon PowerShot A3500 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 |
Also called | - | Lumix DMC-TZ8 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2013-01-07 | 2010-06-16 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | DIGIC 4 | Venus Engine HD II |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 12MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 25-300mm (12.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/2.8-6.9 | f/3.3-4.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 3cm | 3cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15s | 60s |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1300s |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | 5.30 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance 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) | 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic 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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 135 grams (0.30 lbs) | 214 grams (0.47 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") | 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
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 shots | - |
Battery style | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | NB-11L | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch cost | $115 | $300 |