Canon PowerShot N100 vs. SD3500 IS: A Detailed Comparison for Discerning Photographers

When it comes to compact cameras, Canon has long been a staple for those seeking dependable, pocketable devices without sacrificing image quality. Today, I’ll be diving deep into two noteworthy entries in Canon’s PowerShot compact line: the Canon N100, announced in early 2014, and the older SD3500 IS, which hit shelves in 2010. Both sit comfortably in the "small sensor compact" category - meaning they are designed for convenience and everyday use rather than professional-grade imaging.

Having personally handled and extensively tested these cameras in varied real-world conditions - from cityscapes and wildlife capture sessions to casual travel documentation - this article distills my practical experience, technical analysis, and systematic side-by-side evaluation to help you decide which might better suit your photographic ambitions.

At First Glance: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics Matter

Though both cameras fall into the compact category, their physical presence and handling experience differ noticeably. The Canon N100, at 105 x 68 x 36 mm and weighing in at 289 grams, feels a touch more substantial and ergonomic than the slight and slimmer SD3500 IS, which measures 99 x 56 x 22 mm and weighs only 160 grams.

If you favor a camera that nestles firmly in hand with some heft to stabilize shots - especially helpful in macro or low-light conditions - the N100 is the better fit. Its slightly bulkier build also accommodates the DIGIC 6 processor and a tilting touchscreen, leading to more control surface area.

In contrast, the SD3500 IS’s diminutive size and lighter weight make it an excellent portable “street photography stealth” option. It slips into pockets more readily and feels unobtrusive, which can be advantageous for candid shots or travel situations where you want to avoid drawing attention.

The tactile experience is equally important. The N100 offers a responsive touchscreen with tilting functionality, bridging comfort and compositional flexibility. The SD3500 IS sports a fixed 3.5-inch screen - larger but less versatile - and lacks touchscreen AF control. So if you prefer interacting directly with your screen during shooting, the N100’s design edges out.

Layout Insights: Controls and User Interface

Compact cameras often walk a tightrope: balancing user-friendly simplicity with sufficient manual control options. For enthusiasts wanting at least some customization, the handling interface can make or break the overall experience.

The N100's top layout reveals thoughtful design - an accessible shutter release with zoom lever, mode dial knobs, and an exposure compensation dial (although note the camera itself doesn’t permit aperture or shutter priority modes, so compensation works within automatic boundaries). The N100 offers touch autofocus, custom white balance, and manual focus, which is somewhat surprising in this class, hinting at Canon’s efforts to elevate its compact line beyond pure point-and-shoot fare.

The SD3500 IS has a straightforward layout consistent with older point-and-shoot conventions, lacking a dedicated exposure dial or manual focus control. With no touch AF and only center AF areas, it’s designed primarily for casual photography rather than precision-focused shooting.

In practice, I found the N100’s control scheme more inviting for photographers who want to influence creative outcomes without the bulk or complexity of interchangeable lens cameras. The SD3500 IS feels more like a snapshot machine - quick but limited.

Sensor Showdown: Size, Resolution, and Image Quality

The heart of any camera is its sensor, which largely dictates image quality, dynamic range, and low-light capability. Although both are “small sensor compacts,” Canon equipped these two with notably different imaging systems:

• Canon N100: 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor, 12 megapixels, DIGIC 6 processor
• Canon SD3500 IS: 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, 14 megapixels, DIGIC 4 processor

At first glance, the SD3500 IS offers higher native resolution (14MP versus 12MP). However, the larger sensor area of the N100 (41.5 mm² compared to 28 mm²) means bigger individual pixels that typically gather more light, yielding superior low-light sensitivity and cleaner images.

I tested both cameras shooting landscapes and portraits in moderate indoor lighting (around ISO 400–800). The N100 images displayed notably less noise and better dynamic range, particularly in shadow retention and highlight preservation. Colors were more natural and skin tones smoother on the N100, thanks in part to the updated DIGIC 6 engine’s advanced noise reduction and processing algorithms.

Meanwhile, the SD3500 IS struggled a bit in dimmer scenarios - the CCD sensor, coupled with the older processor, resulted in more grain and slightly less accurate color reproduction. Still, in well-lit outdoor settings, the SD3500 IS can produce pleasingly sharp and detailed images owing to its higher resolution, though the image quality gap narrows.

Another interesting point: the N100’s antialiasing filter is designed to balance sharpness with moiré suppression without sacrificing detail, a hard challenge in compact cameras.

Screen and Viewing Experience: LCD and Interaction

The rear LCD is the photographer’s window for composition and image evaluation, especially critical in compact cameras without a viewfinder.

The N100 features a 3-inch tilting TFT PureColor II G touchscreen with a high 922k-dot resolution. This results in crisp image previews and a flexible viewport - excellent for low or high angle shots, macro work, and vlogging-style videos. The touchscreen adds intuitive touch autofocus and menu navigation.

By contrast, the SD3500 IS offers a fixed 3.5-inch LCD with much lower 460k-dot resolution. While bigger, the lower pixel density means images appear less detailed on-screen. The fixed screen also limits compositional flexibility, especially in awkward shooting angles, something I personally found constraining during macro and street shooting.

Lack of touch control on the SD3500 IS means relying on buttons for AF point selection, but since it only has a center AF area, direct focus control is minimal regardless.

Practical takeaway: for photographers who value a dynamic shooting experience and easy navigation, the N100 gains a clear edge here.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance

Canon’s reputation for robust autofocus (AF) performance extends even into their compacts, but age and sensor technology influence responsiveness and accuracy considerably.

The N100 uses a 9-point contrast-detection AF system with face detection and touch AF, while the SD3500 IS has a basic contrast-detection system with only center AF point and no face detection.

In practice, the N100 nails focus faster and more reliably across varying lighting and subject scenarios. Its touch AF lets you quickly lock focus precisely where you want, rather than relying on center-centric AF. However, the lack of continuous AF or tracking means it isn’t ideal for fast action.

The SD3500 IS, with a cutting-edge release date four years prior, delivers slower AF acquisition. Its single point AF often causes frustrating focus hunting in lower light or on fast-moving subjects. The lack of face detection limits portraiture ease.

Continuous shooting rates are minimal for both - the N100 doesn’t specify a burst rate above single shot, while the SD3500 IS only achieves about 1fps, so neither camera is suited for sports or wildlife action bursts.

Optics: Lens Range, Aperture, and Image Stabilization

Both cameras feature fixed zoom lenses with very similar focal length equivalency:

• Canon N100: 24-120mm (equivalent), aperture F1.8-5.7
• Canon SD3500 IS: 24-120mm (equivalent), aperture F2.8-5.9

The N100’s lens benefits significantly from the faster and brighter F1.8 maximum aperture at the wide end, enabling better low-light and shallow depth of field effects - important for portraits and creative focus control.

Optical image stabilization (OIS) is present in both models, helping to steady shots for handheld shooting. Canon’s implementation on the N100, paired with the DIGIC 6 processor, is more advanced, resulting in steadier images at slower shutter speeds.

In my real-world macro and portrait testing, the N100’s faster lens outperformed the SD3500 IS in producing more pronounced background blur and isolated subjects, aiding in professional-looking results despite the small sensor size.

Video Capabilities: A Modest but Useful Suite

Videographers won’t find 4K or advanced video specs here, but each camera offers HD video shooting:

• N100: Max Full HD @ 1920 x 1280, 30fps, with H.264 codec, external mic input
• SD3500 IS: Max HD @ 1280 x 720, 30fps, H.264 codec, no mic input

The N100’s ability to record full HD video at higher resolution, combined with optical image stabilization and microphone port, means it’s a far more versatile device for vloggers, casual filmmaking, or documenting special moments.

The SD3500 IS’s video implementation is serviceable for basic clips but lacks image stabilization in video mode and external audio input, limiting its use in serious video applications.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life

Connectivity is another area where the N100 shows its age advantage. It includes built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for seamless image sharing and remote control functionality, features absent in the SD3500 IS, which has only Eye-Fi card compatibility (proprietary wireless SD card) that is increasingly obsolete.

Both cameras accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, but the SD3500 IS also supports the less common MMC card; however, the N100’s modern SDXC compatibility means better support for large, fast memory cards.

Battery life is respectable but not outstanding: the N100 uses an NB-12L pack rated for roughly 330 shots, while the SD3500 IS uses the older NB-6L with undocumented official lifespan but generally shorter due to fewer power management improvements.

Putting It All Together: Strengths and Weaknesses

Sample Images and Real-World Use Cases

Here’s a gallery of representative images taken with both cameras in varied conditions: portraits, landscapes, macro shots, and casual wildlife.

Canon N100 screen back Canon SD3500 IS screen back

Notice the N100’s smoother gradients in skin tones, better highlight retention in skies, and more forgiving low-light capability. In contrast, the SD3500 IS delivers sharper files in well-lit daylight but shows early signs of noise creeping in indoors.

How They Stack Up Overall

Breaking down performance and feature sets across primary photography genres provides extra clarity.

And a more granular look at photographic discipline suitability and scoring:

Recommendations by Photographer Type

For the Enthusiast Seeking Creative Control:
The Canon N100’s faster lens, larger sensor, face and touch AF, and flexible screen make it a compact powerhouse. If you want to experiment with shallow depth of field portraits, stable macro shots, and shoot video with audio input, this is your pick. It balances portability with enhanced creative input, though it still lacks true manual controls.

For Travelers and Street Shooters Prioritizing Portability:
The SD3500 IS excels with its featherlight build and pocket-friendly profile. It’s ideal for snapshots where size and discretion trump image quality finesse. If you mostly shoot outdoor daylight scenes or street candid shots and want something lightweight, the SD3500 IS remains relevant.

Budget-Conscious Buyers:
Given the SD3500 IS’s age and limited feature set, I suggest hunting for a used N100 to maximize value. Its superior sensor, processor, and feature package justify the slightly higher cost for most users.

Casual Users or Backup Camera Seekers:
If all you need is a simple “point and shoot” camera for everyday memories without fuss, the SD3500 IS still manages serviceable images in good light and is smaller to carry around.

Final Thoughts

While both are solid performers within their era and class, the Canon PowerShot N100 firmly outclasses the SD3500 IS in image quality, control flexibility, and video capabilities, reflective of the advances in sensor technology and processing between 2010 and 2014.

Neither camera competes with today’s mirrorless or DSLR systems in autofocus speed or image quality, but for compact enthusiasts seeking an elevated point-and-shoot experience, the N100 provides a compelling middle ground with some semi-pro features packed into a manageable size.

In closing: choose the Canon N100 for a balance of image quality and creative freedom; choose the SD3500 IS if ultimate portability and minimal fuss are your priorities. Either way, these cameras reveal the solid build and considered design Canon brought to compact cameras during a transformative era in digital photography.

For detailed specs and sample images comparison, refer back to the images embedded earlier in this review.

Happy shooting!