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Canon SX70 HS vs Sony a3500

Portability
63
Imaging
47
Features
67
Overall
55
Canon PowerShot SX70 HS front
 
Sony Alpha a3500 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
54
Overall
59

Canon SX70 HS vs Sony a3500 Key Specs

Canon SX70 HS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 21-1365mm (F3.4-6.5) lens
  • 608g - 127 x 91 x 117mm
  • Released September 2018
Sony a3500
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
  • Revealed March 2014
  • Succeeded the Sony A3000
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Canon SX70 HS vs Sony a3500 Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Canon SX70 HS and Sony a3500, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SX70 HS (20MP) and the a3500 (20MP) is relatively similar but the SX70 HS (1/2.3") and a3500 (APS-C) come with different sensor size.

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The SX70 HS was announced 4 years after the a3500 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX70 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony a3500 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the SX70 HS matches up vs the a3500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX70 HS over the Sony a3500

 SX70 HS a3500 
RevealedSeptember 2018March 2014More modern by 55 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution922k230kSharper screen (+692k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony a3500 over the Canon SX70 HS

 a3500 SX70 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX70 HS and Sony a3500

 SX70 HS a3500 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Canon SX70 HS vs Sony a3500 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon SX70 HS features outside measurements of 127mm x 91mm x 117mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 4.6") accompanied by a weight of 608 grams (1.34 lbs) whilst the Sony a3500 has sizing of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") along with a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX70 HS and Sony a3500 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the SX70 HS versus the a3500.

Canon SX70 HS vs Sony a3500 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX70 HS and a3500 is 63 and 69 respectively.

Canon SX70 HS vs Sony a3500 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX70 HS vs Sony a3500 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to picture the gap between sensor sizes only by reading technical specs. The pic here will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX70 HS and a3500.

As you have seen, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact megapixel count albeit different sensor sizes. The SX70 HS uses the tinier sensor which should make achieving bokeh trickier. The younger SX70 HS provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX70 HS vs Sony a3500 sensor size comparison

Canon SX70 HS vs Sony a3500 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX70 HS vs Sony a3500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX70 HS
Portrait photography with Sony a3500
54
you can focus manually
MP count decent (20MP)
comes with face detection focusing
exports RAW files
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
77
has manual focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX70 HS Street photography details
Sony a3500 Street photography details
58
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
very small sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than average (608 grams)
57
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
heavier than average in class (411 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX70 HS Sports photography information
Sony a3500 Sports photography information
56
incredible zoom range (21-1365mm 65.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
60
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
good battery pack (470 shots)
max fps low (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX70 HS Travel photography factors
Sony a3500 Travel photography factors
64
supports bluetooth
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
rather wide (21mm)
long zoom (1365mm)
heavier than average (608g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
60
good battery pack (470 CIPA)
good MP (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than average in class (411 grams)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX70 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony a3500 as a Landscape photography camera
58
you can focus manually
rather wide (21mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
exports RAW files
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
70
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (470 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX70 HS Vlogging features
Sony a3500 Vlogging features
64
rather wide (21mm)
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have external mic socket
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
heavier than average (608 grams)
26
supports face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
no external mic port
heavier than average in class (411 grams)
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Canon SX70 HS vs Sony a3500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX70 HS and Sony a3500
 Canon PowerShot SX70 HSSony Alpha a3500
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX70 HS Sony Alpha a3500
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2018-09-20 2014-03-21
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 8 BIONZ image
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 5456 x 3632
Highest native ISO 3200 16000
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 21-1365mm (65.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.4-6.5 -
Macro focus distance 0cm -
Number of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 922k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.47x
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.00 m (at Auto ISO) 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
Flash settings Auto, on, slow sync, off Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 120 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC 1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 608g (1.34 pounds) 411g (0.91 pounds)
Dimensions 127 x 91 x 117mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 4.6") 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3")
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 325 shots 470 shots
Type of battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported) -
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $550 $398