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Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax K-x

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
35
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax K-x 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
  • Introduced January 2013
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Push to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Announced December 2009
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Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax K-x Overview

The following is a detailed assessment of the Canon A3500 IS and Pentax K-x, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Canon and Pentax. There exists a huge gap between the image resolutions of the A3500 IS (16MP) and K-x (12MP) and the A3500 IS (1/2.3") and K-x (APS-C) provide different sensor sizes.

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The A3500 IS was manufactured 3 years after the K-x which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Canon A3500 IS being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the A3500 IS matches up vs the K-x for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Pentax K-x

 A3500 IS K-x 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013December 2009Newer by 38 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Canon A3500 IS

 K-x A3500 IS 
Manually focus More exact focusing

Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Pentax K-x

 A3500 IS K-x 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon A3500 IS has physical dimensions of 98mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Pentax K-x has dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon A3500 IS and Pentax K-x in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose at the time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the A3500 IS and the K-x.

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A3500 IS and K-x is 96 and 69 respectively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax K-x top view buttons comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions purely by reviewing specs. The image underneath may give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the A3500 IS and K-x.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The A3500 IS due to its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Canon A3500 IS will deliver more detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics more aggressively. The more modern A3500 IS provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax K-x sensor size comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax K-x Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax K-x Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Portrait photography features
Pentax K-x Portrait photography features
35
good MP (16 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
63
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Street photography advice
Pentax K-x Street photography advice
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch to focus
lighter than competitors in class (135 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3500 IS as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-x as a Sports photography camera
38
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery life (200 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
61
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good battery power (1,900 shots)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Travel photography info
Pentax K-x Travel photography info
68
lighter than competitors in class (135 grams)
boasts touch to focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low battery life (200 per charge)
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
54
good battery power (1,900 per charge)
flash built-in
no Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3500 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-x as a Landscape photography camera
42
decently wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
low battery life (200 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
61
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
good battery power (1,900 per charge)
screen is small (2.7")
low resolution sensor (12MP)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon A3500 IS
Vlogging with Pentax K-x
34
decently wide (28mm)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
lighter than competitors in class (135 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone port
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone support
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Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3500 IS and Pentax K-x
 Canon PowerShot A3500 ISPentax K-x
General Information
Company Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot A3500 IS Pentax K-x
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2013-01-07 2009-12-23
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 4 Prime
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 2848
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Highest boosted ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-6.9 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.00 m 16.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
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 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 135 grams (0.30 lbs) 580 grams (1.28 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 72
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.5
DXO Low light score not tested 811
Other
Battery life 200 images 1900 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-11L 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $115 $600