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Canon A3500 IS vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32

Canon A3500 IS vs Samsung HZ15W 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
  • Announced January 2013
Samsung HZ15W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 249g - 105 x 61 x 37mm
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Additionally referred to as WB550
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Canon A3500 IS vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Canon A3500 IS versus Samsung HZ15W, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Canon and Samsung. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the A3500 IS (16MP) and HZ15W (12MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The A3500 IS was brought out 3 years after the HZ15W which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a detailed comparison, below is a short summation of how the A3500 IS grades versus the HZ15W for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Samsung HZ15W

 A3500 IS HZ15W 
IntroducedJanuary 2013February 2009Newer by 48 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Canon A3500 IS

 HZ15W A3500 IS 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Samsung HZ15W

 A3500 IS HZ15W 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Canon A3500 IS vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon A3500 IS provides outer measurements of 98mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Samsung HZ15W has proportions of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") along with a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Compare the Canon A3500 IS versus Samsung HZ15W in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the A3500 IS and the HZ15W.

Canon A3500 IS vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the A3500 IS and HZ15W is 96 and 90 respectively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to envision the difference between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The image below should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the A3500 IS and HZ15W.

As you can see, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Canon A3500 IS to offer greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The younger A3500 IS is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Canon A3500 IS vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3500 IS vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon A3500 IS
Portrait photography with Samsung HZ15W
34
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
31
you can focus manually
provides face detection autofocus
no manual control
external flash not possible
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Street photography advice
Samsung HZ15W Street photography advice
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers focus via touch
lighter than competition in class (135g)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
52
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than competition in class (249 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Sports photography advice
Samsung HZ15W Sports photography advice
38
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery power (200 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Travel photography details
Samsung HZ15W Travel photography details
68
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
offers focus via touch
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse function
low battery power (200 CIPA)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
54
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (249g)
MP count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3500 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Landscape photography camera
41
decently wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
low battery power (200 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
40
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3500 IS as a Vlogging camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Vlogging camera
34
decently wide (28mm)
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic jack
28
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection autofocus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (249g)
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Canon A3500 IS vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3500 IS and Samsung HZ15W
 Canon PowerShot A3500 ISSamsung HZ15W
General Information
Brand Canon Samsung
Model Canon PowerShot A3500 IS Samsung HZ15W
Also referred to as - WB550
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-01-07 2009-02-23
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip 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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focus distance 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 16 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.00 m 4.70 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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 (60, 30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data 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 gr (0.30 lbs) 249 gr (0.55 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5")
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 photographs -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-11L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $115 $330