Canon PowerShot A3500 IS vs Samsung TL220: Small Sensor Compact Camera Showdown

Choosing a compact camera that balances portability, image quality, and user-friendly features can be a challenge given the many models on the market. Today, we put side-by-side two popular small sensor compacts from the recent past: the Canon PowerShot A3500 IS and the Samsung TL220 (also known as ST500). Both are designed for everyday shooting enthusiasts who want simple operation and decent image quality without the bulk or complexity of advanced interchangeable lens systems.

In this 2500-word hands-on comparison, we’ll dive deep into their design, sensor tech, autofocus performance, photographic disciplines, video capabilities, and value for money. Whether you're an emerging photographer, traveler, or casual snapshooter, this detailed breakdown will help you identify which camera fits your creative goals.

Getting a Feel for the Cameras: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

Let's start with how these cameras feel and look physically:

• Canon A3500 IS:
  • Dimensions: 98 x 56 x 20 mm
  • Weight: 135 g
  • Lens: 28-140 mm equivalent, 5x zoom, f/2.8-6.9
• Samsung TL220:
  • Dimensions: 100 x 60 x 19 mm
  • Weight: 169 g
  • Lens: 27-124 mm equivalent, 4.6x zoom, f/3.5-5.9

The Canon is marginally smaller and lighter, making it easier for extended carry during travel or street photography where discretion is prized. The Samsung, slightly chunkier, offers a more substantial grip to steady your shots but may feel less pocketable.

Size difference is subtle but notable for those prioritizing portability.

Button placement in both cameras is optimized for quick access to key settings, although neither offers an advanced manual control scheme due to their entry-level market positioning. The Canon includes a modestly contoured grip area, aiding single-handed use. Meanwhile, the Samsung's flat front is sleek but less ergonomic for prolonged standalone shooting sessions.

The Canon’s touchscreen interface adds an intuitive layer to the user experience that we found more responsive and practical than the Samsung’s. This makes navigating menus and setting autofocus points on the Canon quicker, especially if you prefer tapping the screen over physical buttons.

A Look from Above: Control Layout and Interface

When you look at both cameras’ top plates, you're greeted by simple and straightforward controls befitting compact cameras.

Canon PowerShot A3500 IS (left) and Samsung TL220 (right) top view comparison.

• The Canon includes a traditional mode dial with limited scene modes and an on/off switch combined with the shutter release.
• The Samsung TL220 is minimalist, with a single shutter button and no mode dial, emphasizing auto point-and-shoot usage.

For photographers who want to quickly toggle between shooting modes or engage basic exposure compensation, the Canon’s controls offer more flexibility. The Samsung’s barebones approach suits those who want the simplest shooting experience without fiddling with settings.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Your Photos

Both cameras feature a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, a common size for compacts aiming for a balance of quality and light sensitivity.

Despite similar sensor sizes, the Canon pulls ahead in resolution, with 16 MP vs 12 MP.

Image sharpness & detail: Apt naming aside, more megapixels don't always mean better photos, especially on small sensors. The Canon’s 16 MP sensor delivers sharper, more detailed files up to 4608 × 3456 pixels. This supports moderate cropping and larger prints for snapshots and small portraits.

Noise performance: Samsung’s TL220 claims a higher ISO ceiling (3200), but in practice, this comes with heavy noise and reduced color fidelity. The Canon keeps noise more controlled up to ISO 800, beyond which image degradation is noticeable.

Color rendering: The Canon’s DIGIC 4 image processor shines with natural skin tones and vivid colors, critical in portraits and landscapes. Samsung’s colors trend slightly cooler and less faithful under mixed lighting.

Dynamic range: Both are limited by CCD technology and sensor size to about 9 stops, adequate for daylight shooting but challenging in high contrast scenes like sunsets or shadowed forests.

Viewing and Composition: LCD and Viewfinder Insights

Neither camera offers an optical or electronic viewfinder, a common omission in compact cameras but worth noting for photographers used to composing via any viewfinder.

• Both utilize 3-inch fixed LCD screens at 230k-dot resolution.
• Both are touchscreen-enabled, but the Canon’s screen supports more responsive touch functions.

Live view interfaces differ subtly - Canon offers cleaner menu overlays.

The Samsung’s screen looks slightly brighter but both suffer under direct sunlight outdoor shooting.

Real-world usability

We found the Canon's touchscreen superior for quick navigation, autofocus point selection, and reviewing images faster. The Samsung's touch input feels a bit laggier and less intuitive.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Face Detection

Small sensor compacts rely on contrast-based autofocus, inherently slower than phase-detection systems on DSLRs or mirrorless cameras.

For portrait and casual shooting, face detection is a big plus - the Canon automatically locks on human faces with impressive reliability, even in slightly dim conditions.

The Canon also supports continuous AF, meaning it can maintain focus on moving subjects better for candid and street photography. Samsung’s single-shot AF requires refocusing for each frame, resulting in lost moments with moving subjects.

Zoom Optics and Macro Performance

Close-up and telephoto capabilities often dictate what subjects you'll photograph comfortably.

• Canon: 28-140 mm 5x zoom with a wider maximum aperture of f/2.8 at the wide end, allowing better low-light capture.
• Samsung: 27-124 mm 4.6x zoom, max aperture f/3.5 at wide angle.

The Canon's longer zoom and faster aperture provide more versatility, especially in wildlife or travel where subject distance varies.

Macro range:

• Canon: 3 cm minimum focus distance, excellent for tight close-ups.
• Samsung: 5 cm minimum, requiring slightly more distance from subjects.

If you’re keen on shooting flowers, insects, or product details, the Canon’s macro performance gives you slight but useful edge.

Shooting Speed and Burst Performance: For Action and Wildlife

Sports and wildlife shooters crave fast burst rates with excellent autofocus tracking.

• Canon A3500: 1 fps continuous shooting with continuous AF support.
• Samsung TL220: Burst shooting data is not provided or likely negligible.

Neither camera is designed for serious action photography - their hardware limits sustained shooting speed, and buffer capacity is minimal.

You can capture casual wildlife or sports motions but don’t expect professional-grade tracking or high fps rates.

Flash and Low Light Imaging

Both cameras offer built-in flashes with similar reach (~3 meters). Canon’s flash modes include Auto, On, Off, Red Eye, and Slow Sync; Samsung adds Fill-in and Manual settings offering more creative flash control.

Neither camera features external flash capability, a limitation for serious portrait or event photographers.

Low light performance is constrained by sensor size and lens speed - Canon’s wider aperture at the wide end provides some benefit.

Video Recording: Resolution and Usability

We tested both in real-world video capture mode.

Video quality is similar on both in 720p HD, but Samsung’s MJPEG format consumes more storage and offers less efficient compression compared to Canon's H.264.

Neither supports 1080p or 4K, nor do they offer manual exposure or advanced video controls. However, image stabilization helps smooth handheld filming.

Battery Life and Storage Flexibility

Battery endurance is crucial for day trips, events, and travel.

• Canon A3500 IS uses a dedicated NB-11L battery rated for ~200 shots per charge.
• Samsung TL220 uses an SLB-07A with unspecified endurance, typically around 200-250 shots.

Regarding storage:

• Canon supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with a single slot.
• Samsung uses MicroSD/MicroSDHC plus internal memory.

The Canon's compatibility with higher capacity SDXC cards means less frequent swapping, beneficial for long shooting days.

Durability and Build Quality

Neither camera offers weather sealing, dustproofing, or shockproofing - normal for budget compacts from their generation. Build quality is solid plastic with metal lens barrels.

Connectivity Features: Sharing and Wireless

• Canon A3500 IS includes built-in wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi), facilitating quick photo transfer to smartphones and remote control functions.
• Samsung TL220 offers no wireless connectivity, limiting instant sharing options.

This places Canon ahead for social media enthusiasts looking to quickly upload or back up images.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

How They Perform in Popular Photography Genres

Portrait Photography

• Canon: The higher resolution, face detection AF, and more accurate skin tones make it a preferable choice for portraits. The wider f/2.8 aperture helps create softer bokeh, though background blur remains limited by sensor size.
• Samsung: Less adept at face detection and slower AF reduces reliability for portraits. The smaller aperture affects low-light indoor portrait shooting volumes.

Landscape Photography

• Both have limited dynamic range but hold up in daylight landscape snaps. Canon’s higher pixel count offers more cropping latitude.
• Neither camera features weather sealing, vital if you shoot landscapes in adverse conditions.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Neither camera is ideal for these fast-paced genres due to slow continuous shooting and contrast AF.
• Between both, Canon’s continuous AF and slightly longer zoom give it a marginal edge.

Street Photography

• Canon is more compact and discreet, two key factors on dynamic city streets.
• Its continuous AF and face detection further support candid shots with confidence.

Macro Photography

• Canon’s macro range reaches as close as 3 cm, better than Samsung’s 5 cm.
• Both cameras offer optical image stabilization, helpful for steady close-ups handheld.

Night and Astrophotography

• Both struggle due to small sensor size, limited max ISO, and absence of manual exposure controls.
• Canon’s lower noise at ISO 800 is preferable but still limits night shooting.

Video Production

• Both cameras record HD video with optical stabilization.
• Canon’s H.264 codec offers better compression but lacks advanced video features.

Travel and Everyday Use

• Canon’s smaller size, lighter weight, and built-in wireless make it ideal for travelers.
• Samsung’s internal memory is a slight convenience but limited in capacity.

Professional Use

• Neither camera supports RAW or offers manual exposure, limiting post-processing flexibility.
• For professionals needing reliability and advanced workflow, these compacts serve only as casual backup or travel cameras.

Real-World Sample Images

Canon A3500 IS front Canon A3500 IS screen back Samsung TL220 front Samsung TL220 screen back

Examination of test images confirms the Canon excels in daylight sharpness, color fidelity, and noise control. Samsung images show acceptable quality but softness and noise become evident at higher ISO or low light.

Final Performance Ratings

Which Compact Camera Should You Choose?

Choose the Canon PowerShot A3500 IS if:

• You want a lightweight, compact camera with good image quality for travel, street, and portraits.
• Face detection and touchscreen operation matter to you.
• You prefer sharper images with more detail and reduced noise.
• Wi-Fi connectivity for quick sharing is important.
• Video recording at decent HD quality interests you.
• You’re okay with basic exposure modes (no manual options).

Opt for the Samsung TL220 if:

• You want a very simple point-and-shoot experience with minimal settings.
• You value a few more flash modes and internal memory.
• Budget is tight (the Samsung tends to be slightly less expensive).
• Lower resolution images suffice for snapshots and social sharing.
• You can accommodate a slightly heavier camera.

Wrapping Up: Contextualizing These Cameras Today

While both the Canon PowerShot A3500 IS and Samsung TL220 belong to an earlier era of small-sensor compacts, they highlight how design choices impact usability and image quality within a similar price range.

If you’re upgrading from a smartphone or entering photography with your first dedicated camera, the Canon’s intuitive touchscreen, higher resolution sensor, and better autofocus system provide a richer, more versatile creative experience. For precise portraits, travel ease, and casual video capture, the A3500 IS will reward your efforts.

The Samsung TL220, while lagging in some areas, remains a valid simple shooter for users prioritizing no-nonsense operation and slightly lower purchase cost.

Next Steps & Recommendations

If possible, check out these cameras in person to feel handling and interface responsiveness before buying. Also, consider investing in fast SD or MicroSD cards to maximize storage and responsiveness.

Explore compatible camera cases, extra batteries, and memory cards to enhance shoot time and protection.

For photography growth, consider upgrading to cameras with larger sensors and manual controls when ready - but as gateway devices, both models offer enjoyable, accessible imaging.

We hope this detailed comparison helps you navigate the small compact camera market with confidence! Whether portability, connectivity, or image quality is your top priority, understanding these technical trade-offs empowers your creative journey.

Happy shooting!