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Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax E90

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS front
 
Pentax Optio E90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
32
Features
11
Overall
23

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax E90 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
  • Announced January 2013
Pentax E90
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 32-95mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 145g - 102 x 59 x 25mm
  • Revealed January 2010
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Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax E90 Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax E90, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Canon and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap between the image resolutions of the A3500 IS (16MP) and E90 (10MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The A3500 IS was manufactured 2 years after the E90 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short view of how the A3500 IS matches up versus the E90 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Pentax E90

 A3500 IS E90 
RevealedJanuary 2013January 2010Newer by 36 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax E90 over the Canon A3500 IS

 E90 A3500 IS 

Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Pentax E90

 A3500 IS E90 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax E90 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Canon A3500 IS enjoys 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 E90 has specifications of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") along with a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Compare the Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax E90 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the A3500 IS vs the E90.

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax E90 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A3500 IS and E90 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax E90 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax E90 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to see the gap between sensor dimensions only by reviewing specs. The pic below might provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the A3500 IS and E90.

All in all, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Canon A3500 IS to deliver greater detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The newer A3500 IS will have an edge in sensor technology.

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax E90 sensor size comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax E90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax E90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Portrait photography info
Pentax E90 Portrait photography info
34
good MP (16MP)
comes with face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon A3500 IS as a Street photography camera
Pentax E90 as a Street photography camera
67
image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus via touch
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
46
fixed screen
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon A3500 IS
Sports photography with Pentax E90
38
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (200 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
16
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Travel photography details
Pentax E90 Travel photography details
68
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
provides focus via touch
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
no Timelapse function
not so great battery power (200 per charge)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
50
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (32mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon A3500 IS
Landscape photography with Pentax E90
41
quite wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
not so great battery power (200 CIPA)
no Timelapse function
22
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (32mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon A3500 IS
Vlogging with Pentax E90
34
quite wide (28mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone jack
22
wide angle not the best (32mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone socket
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Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax E90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3500 IS and Pentax E90
 Canon PowerShot A3500 ISPentax Optio E90
General Information
Brand Name Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot A3500 IS Pentax Optio E90
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-01-07 2010-01-25
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 4 Prime
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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 32-95mm (3.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 3cm 6cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 135g (0.30 lbs) 145g (0.32 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 102 x 59 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0")
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 images -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-11L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail price $115 $100