Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Nikon D3500

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Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Nikon D3500

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1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
12.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon ELPH 300 HS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the ELPH 300 HS.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3500 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D3500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D3500.
Compare Nikon D3500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D3500 conclusion.

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Differences

Canon ELPH 300 HS advantages over Nikon D3500

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Thinner
19 mm vs 69 mm
Thinner
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Nikon D3500 advantages over Canon ELPH 300 HS

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 3.92 vs 1.54 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1550 vs 220 shots
Capture more photos
Manual focus
Yes vs No
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
Newer
6 years vs 14 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More dots on screen
922k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Less shutter lag
0.21 vs 0.54 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Longer exposure
30 vs 15 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
5.1 fps vs 3.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3500 User Reviews

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Kit with 18-55mm VR lens

Kit with 18-55mm VR lens
Kit with 18-55mm VR and 70-300mm lenses

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Review Excerpt

Read our Canon ELPH 300 HS Express Review

Great image quality for its class; Excellent high ISO performance for APS-C; Fast single-shot AF speeds; Compact, easy to use design; Incredible value at under $500 with lens.
11-point AF system feels out-dated; Underwhelming C-AF performance; Below average viewfinder coverage accuracy; No touchscreen; Limited wireless features.
Read our Nikon D3500 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Canon ELPH 300 HS

Panasonic DMC-FX48S

$235
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
HDMI out

$259
1/2.33 inch

Longer stills battery life
Longer exposure

Compare Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Nikon D3500

Panasonic DMC-FX48S

$623
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$259
1/2.33 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Thinner

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Compared to Canon SD980 IS

Canon ELPH 300 HS

Canon SD980 IS

$235
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Shoots 24p video

$249
1/2.3 inch

Faster shutter

Compare Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Canon SD980 IS

Nikon D3500

Canon SD980 IS

$623
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$249
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Thinner

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon SD980 IS

Compared to Canon 320 HS

Canon ELPH 300 HS

Canon 320 HS

$235
1/2.3 inch

Bigger pixels
Longer stills battery life

$231
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
More dots on screen

Compare Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Canon 320 HS

Nikon D3500

Canon 320 HS

$623
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$231
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon 320 HS

Compared to Canon SL2

Canon ELPH 300 HS

Canon SL2

$235
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Thinner

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Canon SL2

Nikon D3500

Canon SL2

$623
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon SL2

Compared to Canon SL3

Canon ELPH 300 HS

Canon SL3

$235
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Thinner

$624
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Canon SL3

Nikon D3500

Canon SL3

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$624
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon SL3

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