• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 2/3 inch 58.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SD3500 IS advantages over Fujifilm XQ2

  • Less expensive
    $330 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    120 mm vs 100 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 33 mm
    Thinner
  • More pixels
    14.1 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Fujifilm XQ2 advantages over Canon SD3500 IS

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    2/3 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.20 vs 1.43 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/2.8
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Newer
    10 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Canon SD3500 IS
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure
Fujifilm XQ2
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $200
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX580S

Canon SD3500 IS
Panasonic DMC-FX580S
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • HDMI out
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure
Fujifilm XQ2
Panasonic DMC-FX580S
  • $200
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Canon SD980 IS

Canon SD3500 IS
Canon SD980 IS
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • More pixels
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Higher extended ISO
Fujifilm XQ2
Canon SD980 IS
  • $200
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Nikon P300

Canon SD3500 IS
Nikon P300
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • RAW file ability
Fujifilm XQ2
Nikon P300
  • $200
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compared to Olympus XZ-10

Canon SD3500 IS
Olympus XZ-10
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Larger lens aperture
Fujifilm XQ2
Olympus XZ-10
  • $200
  • 2/3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Focus peaking
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
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