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Nikon S3100 vs Nikon S3500

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
23
Overall
31
Nikon Coolpix S3100 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S3500 front
Portability
95
Imaging
45
Features
25
Overall
37

Nikon S3100 vs Nikon S3500 Key Specs

Nikon S3100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 118g - 94 x 58 x 18mm
  • Revealed February 2011
Nikon S3500
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-182mm (F3.4-6.4) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 58 x 21mm
  • Introduced February 2013
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Nikon S3100 vs Nikon S3500 Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Nikon S3100 versus Nikon S3500, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both sold by Nikon. There exists a noticeable gap among the image resolutions of the S3100 (14MP) and S3500 (20MP) but they use the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S3100 was announced 24 months before the S3500 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Nikon S3100 being a Ultracompact camera and the Nikon S3500 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the S3100 matches up against the S3500 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S3100 over the Nikon S3500

 S3100 S3500 

Reasons to pick Nikon S3500 over the Nikon S3100

 S3500 S3100 
IntroducedFebruary 2013February 2011More modern by 24 months

Common features in the Nikon S3100 and Nikon S3500

 S3100 S3500 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen size
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Nikon S3100 vs Nikon S3500 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon S3100 features outer dimensions of 94mm x 58mm x 18mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7") and a weight of 118 grams (0.26 lbs) while the Nikon S3500 has proportions of 97mm x 58mm x 21mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check out the Nikon S3100 versus Nikon S3500 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the S3100 versus the S3500.

Nikon S3100 vs Nikon S3500 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S3100 and S3500 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Nikon S3100 vs Nikon S3500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S3100 vs Nikon S3500 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizes only by seeing specs. The picture below may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the S3100 and S3500.

All in all, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Nikon S3500 to produce more detail with its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged S3100 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon S3100 vs Nikon S3500 sensor size comparison

Nikon S3100 vs Nikon S3500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S3100 vs Nikon S3500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S3100 Portrait photography factors
Nikon S3500 Portrait photography factors
33
decent megapixels (14MP)
comes with face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
33
decent megapixels (20MP)
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S3100
Street photography with Nikon S3500
48
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (129g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S3100 Sports photography factors
Nikon S3500 Sports photography factors
32
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
42
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S3100 Travel photography information
Nikon S3500 Travel photography information
65
decent megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
69
lighter than competition in class (129 grams)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S3100 Landscape photography highlights
Nikon S3500 Landscape photography highlights
33
rather wide (26mm)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
41
reasonably wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon S3100
Vlogging with Nikon S3500
28
rather wide (26mm)
comes with face detect focus
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic support
32
reasonably wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (129g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic port
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Nikon S3100 vs Nikon S3500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S3100 and Nikon S3500
 Nikon Coolpix S3100Nikon Coolpix S3500
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Nikon
Model Nikon Coolpix S3100 Nikon Coolpix S3500
Category Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-02-09 2013-02-21
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 5152 x 3864
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 26-182mm (7.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.2-6.5 f/3.4-6.4
Macro focus range 10cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT-LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.50 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye -
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1280 x 720
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 118g (0.26 lb) 129g (0.28 lb)
Dimensions 94 x 58 x 18mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7") 97 x 58 x 21mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 220 photos -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL19 -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) -
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC -
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $139 $85