Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax S1
96 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
37


93 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34
Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax S1 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
- Introduced March 2011

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax S1 Overview
Below, we will be looking at the Canon A3500 IS and Pentax S1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the A3500 IS (16MP) and the S1 (14MP) is relatively close and they come with the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The A3500 IS was announced 23 months later than the S1 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a short introduction of how the A3500 IS matches up against the S1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax S1 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot A3500 IS & Pentax Optio S1. The whole galleries are provided at Canon A3500 IS Gallery & Pentax S1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Pentax S1
A3500 IS | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2013 | ![]() | March 2011 | Fresher by 23 months |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Canon A3500 IS
S1 | A3500 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focus |
Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Pentax S1
A3500 IS | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen |
Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to carry your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon A3500 IS offers exterior measurements of 98mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Pentax S1 has proportions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).
Contrast the Canon A3500 IS and Pentax S1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at the time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the A3500 IS compared to the S1.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the A3500 IS and S1 is 96 and 93 respectively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison
Often, its hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing merely by looking through specs. The visual underneath will give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the A3500 IS and S1.
As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Canon A3500 IS to provide you with extra detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more recent A3500 IS is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax S1 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS | Pentax Optio S1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Pentax |
Model | Canon PowerShot A3500 IS | Pentax Optio S1 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2013-01-07 | 2011-03-02 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | DIGIC 4 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4288 x 3216 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/2.8-6.9 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focus distance | 3cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Resolution of display | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display tech | - | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15s | 4s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1500s |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | 3.90 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 135 grams (0.30 lb) | 157 grams (0.35 lb) |
Dimensions | 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") | 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 photographs | 260 photographs |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | NB-11L | D-LI92 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at launch | $115 | $174 |