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Nikon S3500

 
Nikon Coolpix S3500 front
 
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-182mm (F3.4-6.4) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 58 x 21mm
  • Revealed February 2013
  • Read full specs
  • Alternatives
  • Size Comparison
  • FAQ
Portability
95
Imaging
44
Features
25
Overall
36

Nikon S3500 overview

Nikon S3500 is Nikon's Small Sensor Compact camera first revealed on February of 2013. The camera includes a 20MP, CCD 1/2.3" size sensor with a maximum resolution of 5152 x 3864.

The S3500 places at #74 out of 261 in Small Sensor Compact cameras & all round #874 out of 1465 for cameras in our list. Remember to try our Smart camera filter to get camera listings based on your customized criteria.

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Here is a graph of various criteria used in the scoring system.

Nikon S3500 family

The Nikon S3500 is part of a family of digital cameras. You can view the full list below.

ModelVisualizeLensResolutionSensor SizeReleased
Nikon-Coolpix-S9900 front thumbnailNikon S9900
S3500 vs S9900
25-750mm
F3.7-6.4
16MP1/2.3"2015
Nikon-Coolpix-S810c front thumbnailNikon S810c
S3500 vs S810c
25-300mm
F3.3-6.3
16MP1/2.3"2014
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Nikon-Coolpix-S9700 front thumbnailNikon S9700
S3500 vs S9700
25-750mm
F3.7-6.4
16MP1/2.3"2014
Nikon-Coolpix-S5300 front thumbnailNikon S5300
S3500 vs S5300
26-208mm
F3.7-6.6
16MP1/2.3"2014
Nikon-Coolpix-S3600 front thumbnailNikon S3600
S3500 vs S3600
25-200mm
F3.7-6.6
20MP1/2.3"2014
Nikon-Coolpix-S3500 front thumbnailNikon S350026-182mm
F3.4-6.4
20MP1/2.3"2013
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Nikon-Coolpix-S800c front thumbnailNikon S800c
S3500 vs S800c
25-250mm
F3.2-5.8
16MP1/2.3"2013
Nikon-Coolpix-S5200 front thumbnailNikon S5200
S3500 vs S5200
26-156mm
F
16MP1/2.3"2013
Nikon-Coolpix-S9500 front thumbnailNikon S9500
S3500 vs S9500
25-550mm
F
18MP1/2.3"2013
Nikon-Coolpix-S6500 front thumbnailNikon S6500
S3500 vs S6500
25-300mm
F2.8-5.9
16MP1/2.3"2013
Nikon-Coolpix-S9300 front thumbnailNikon S9300
S3500 vs S9300
25-450mm
F3.5-5.9
16MP1/2.3"2012
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Nikon-Coolpix-S4300 front thumbnailNikon S4300
S3500 vs S4300
26-156mm
F3.5-6.5
16MP1/2.3"2012
Nikon-Coolpix-S3300 front thumbnailNikon S3300
S3500 vs S3300
26-156mm
F3.5-6.5
16MP1/2.3"2012
Nikon-Coolpix-S6300 front thumbnailNikon S6300
S3500 vs S6300
25-250mm
F3.2-5.8
16MP1/2.3"2012
Nikon-Coolpix-S100 front thumbnailNikon S100
S3500 vs S100
28-140mm
F3.9-4.8
16MP1/2.3"2011
Nikon-Coolpix-S8200 front thumbnailNikon S8200
S3500 vs S8200
25-350mm
F3.3-5.9
16MP1/2.3"2011
Nikon-Coolpix-S6200 front thumbnailNikon S6200
S3500 vs S6200
25-250mm
F3.2-5.6
16MP1/2.3"2011
Nikon-Coolpix-S9100 front thumbnailNikon S9100
S3500 vs S9100
25-450mm
F3.5-5.9
12MP1/2.3"2011
Nikon-Coolpix-S6100 front thumbnailNikon S6100
S3500 vs S6100
28-196mm
F3.7-5.6
16MP1/2.3"2011
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Nikon-Coolpix-S8100 front thumbnailNikon S8100
S3500 vs S8100
30-300mm
F3.5-5.6
12MP1/2.3"2010
Nikon-Coolpix-S5100 front thumbnailNikon S5100
S3500 vs S5100
28-140mm
F2.7-6.6
12MP1/2.3"2010
Nikon-Coolpix-S8000 front thumbnailNikon S8000
S3500 vs S8000
30-300mm
F3.5-5.6
14MP1/2.3"2010
Nikon-Coolpix-S6000 front thumbnailNikon S6000
S3500 vs S6000
28-196mm
F3.7-5.6
14MP1/2.3"2010
Nikon-Coolpix-S1000pj front thumbnailNikon S1000pj
S3500 vs S1000pj
28-140mm
F3.9-5.8
12MP1/2.3"2009
Nikon-Coolpix-S570 front thumbnailNikon S570
S3500 vs S570
28-140mm
F2.7-6.6
12MP1/2.3"2009
Nikon-Coolpix-S640 front thumbnailNikon S640
S3500 vs S640
28-140mm
F2.7-6.6
12MP1/2.3"2009
Nikon-Coolpix-S620 front thumbnailNikon S620
S3500 vs S620
28-112mm
F2.7-5.8
12MP1/2.3"2009
Nikon-Coolpix-S630 front thumbnailNikon S630
S3500 vs S630
37-260mm
F3.5-5.3
12MP1/2.3"2009

Nikon S3500 Pros and Cons

Here is a collection of pros and cons of the Nikon S3500 based on aspects that are often viewed as crucial in a camera.

built-in flash
decently wide (26mm)
good min ISO (80)
good zoom range (26-182mm 7.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (129 grams)
resolution is good (20MP)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
doesn't have RAW format
lack of aperture priority mode
lack of shutter priority mode
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not possible
max zoom aperture not good (f6.4)
no articulating screen
no external flash support
no external mic jack
no HDMI support
no headphone jack
no manual focus
no Time Lapse recording
pixelated screen (230 k dot)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
small screen (2.7 inch)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
Photography Glossary

Nikon S3500 Sensor features

The specification of the sensor on the Nikon S3500 is 6.16mm x 4.62mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor has the capability to resolve 5152 x 3864 pixels . The camera comes with Image Stabilization (Optical). Optical stabilization is more effective than digital stabilization since the latter might produce cropping.

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The CCD sensor has 20MP and features a native ISO range of 80 to 3200. Unfortunately, RAW photos are not supported therefore you have less margin for error.

The picture below displays the S3500's sensor size compared to other common sizes. The S3500 sensor has a crop factor of 5.8 and is pointed out in green.

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To get an understanding of various aspect ratios, you can refer to the visual below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Nikon S3500 dimensions

Nikon S3500 weighs about 0.28 lbs (129 grams or 4.55 oz) & has external dimensions of 97mm x 58mm x 21mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8"). The weight of normal Small Sensor Compact camera is 174 grams and the Nikon S3500 is lighter than other competitors.

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Listed below is a visual of the Nikon S3500 besides a softdrink so you're able to get a feel for its size.

Nikon Coolpix S3500 dimensions scale

The top view directly below will provide the button arrangement on the S3500.

Nikon Coolpix S3500 topview buttons dials

Nikon S3500 Lens features

The S3500 comes with a built in lens with a focal range of 26-182mm making it a 7.0 x zoom which won't be perfect however it will be helpful in some cases.

At it's widest 26mm, it comes with an aperture of f3.4 making it quite sluggish and not ideal for low light occasions and you might find it hard to get a shallow depth of field. You will also have to up your ISO setting resulting in noisy photographs. For the long end, 182mm comes at f6.4 making it very sluggish and you would have to choose slow shutter speeds.

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Nikon S3500 Connectivity

The S3500 has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes
  • Wireless Yes

Cameras that come with NFC and / or Bluetooth support can be controlled wirelessly through smartphones. You are able to send photos and oftentimes alter camera settings without the hassle of connecting straight with the camera.

Some apps also enable a Liveview and click the shutter if you aren't close to the camera. If the camera provides a HDMI port, it can be hooked up to an external screen. A good number of cameras will allow you to charge the battery through the USB socket.

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Nikon S3500 Video features

The maximum video quality on the Nikon S3500 is 1280 x 720 and you can save in format. 720p is awful for today's standards. You should really target a minimum FUll HD quality for good video. The body doesn't feature a microphone and / or headphone port which means that you get zero control over the sound. It is probably best to get another camera should you want good sound for your video clips.

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Nikon S3500 Weather Sealing

Nikon S3500 doesn't have weather proofing so wet conditions might affect the camera.

Nikon S3500 Display and Viewfinder

The Nikon S3500 includes a 2.7" fixed display with a resolution of 230k dots.

Please be aware that the display screen has no touch support.

Nikon Coolpix S3500 screen and viewfinder Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The ViewFinder specifications for Nikon S3500 are the following:

  • ViewFinder None

For bright outdoor conditions that make the camera screens washed out and challenging to see, viewfinders are very useful.

Nikon S3500 Shutter features

The max shutter speed is 1/2000s.

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Nikon S3500 Flash and Hot shoe features

Nikon S3500 comes with just built-in flash with missing external flash ability.

Nikon S3500 Autofocusing features

Nikon S3500 has not got Auto focusing. Phase Detection autofocusing is a lot more faster and accurate than Contrast Based autofocusing.

Nikon S3500 has not got manual focusing. Manual focusing mode can be good for low light or you need more exact focusing control.

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Nikon S3500 Battery life

The general Small Sensor Compact camera battery life is 241. Fujifilm X30 comes with the highest possible (470) battery life for this kind of cameras.

Underneath is a collection of Small Sensor Compact cameras with the highest battery life:

Nikon S3500 for various styles of photography

The following bar chart provides a summation of the Nikon S3500 for various styles of photography. To see more, visit the specific paragraph below.

Nikon S3500 Portrait photography information

The Nikon S3500 receives a rating of 33 which is lousy, meaning that it is simply not good for portrait images. Shooting portraits favors heavily to sensor specs, support for RAW files plus the option to utilize off-camera lighting.

Photography Glossary
decent MP (20MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support

Nikon S3500 Street photography features

Having a nice rating of 64, the Nikon S3500 is a very decent pick to use in street photography. A very good street photography camera offers a fine balance of picture quality plus portability.

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built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (129 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files

Sports photography with Nikon S3500

A lousy sports photography rating of 42 suggests the Nikon S3500 is simply not good for shooting sports. A camera needs good autofocus and continuous shooting for sports photography.

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built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus

Nikon S3500 Travel photography details

Weight is super important in selecting a camera for travel. All things considered, the Nikon S3500 gets a very good 69 for a travel camera which makes it a very decent option to take with you on your trips.

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lighter than competition (129 grams)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
no Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)

Landscape photography with Nikon S3500

When you're planning to purchase a digital camera for landscape pictures, the most important factor is going to be image quality. The Nikon S3500 and it's lousy rating of 40 for a landscape camera is simply not good compared to it's competition.

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pretty wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording

Vlogging with Nikon S3500

A vlogging camera should really have a moving display, microphone port and if possible image stabilization. Taking all things into account, the Nikon S3500 is simply not good for vlogging as it receives a lousy rating of 31.

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reasonably wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (129 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone port

Nikon S3500 Alternatives

If you need alternatives to the S3500, here is a list of the top ranked cameras that fall into the family of Small Sensor Compact.

The diagram just below shows you a summary of the S3500 vs it's top ranked competitors shown above.

There are a bunch of cameras you may see as alternative options. To browse through a extensive comparison, just click on the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Make
Nikon
Model type
Nikon Coolpix S3500
Category
Small Sensor Compact
Revealed
2013-02-21
Body design
Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CCD
Sensor size
1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions
6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area
28.5mm²
Sensor resolution
20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Maximum resolution
5152 x 3864
RAW pictures
Maximum native ISO
3200
Min native ISO
80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Cross type focus points
0
Lens
Lens mount type
fixed lens
Lens zoom range
26-182mm (7.0x)
Max aperture
f/3.4-6.4
Focal length multiplier
5.8
Screen
Display type
Fixed Type
Display sizing
2.7 inch
Resolution of display
230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology
TFT-LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type
None
DXO scores
DXO All around rating
not tested
DXO Color Depth rating
not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating
not tested
DXO Low light rating
not tested
Features
Slowest shutter speed
4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed
1/2000 seconds
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions
1280 x 720
Maximum video resolution
1280x720
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless
Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight
129 gr (0.28 lbs)
Physical dimensions
97 x 58 x 21mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8")
Other
Time lapse recording
Storage slots
1
Retail cost
$85