The SD3500 features a 5x zoom lens with a 35mm equivalent of 24-120mm. The maximum aperture range is F2.8-5.9, making this a rather fast lens when using the wide angle end. The 24mm wide angle extreme will help you capture nicer landscapes outdoors, while making indoor photos easier to capture at the same time. When the camera is turned off the lens retracts into to the body so no lens cap is needed.
In low light conditions the camera is equipped with a focus-assist lamp helps to illuminate the subject for accurate focusing. This can be deactivated in the camera's recording menu.
The SD3500's flash is located just above and to the side of the lens. The recharge time for the flash is 12 seconds or less, we found the "or less" part to be more accurate. The range for the flash is: 1.6 - 11 ft./50cm - 3.5m (W), 3.0 - 6.6 ft./90cm - 2.0m (T) at ISO Auto.
The back of the SD3500 is consumed with a wide 3.5-inch PureColor System touch LCD. This screen serves as the viewfinder as well as a touch-screen to control settings and functions of the camera. The only physical buttons on this camera reside on top.
The top controls include (from left to right); Mode switch, Playback, Power and shutter release with the zoom switch wrapped around it. You can also see the built-in microphone to the left of the mode switch.
With the HD capabilities of the SD3500, Canon has added a HDMI port along with the standard AV port. The HDMI port will allow you to connect the camera directly to an HDTV for video playback while the AV port can be used for connecting to a computer, a standard television and/or a PictBridge compatible printer (like the Epson, Artison 810 we recently reviewed).
The SD3500 uses SD cards such as the one pictured here, as well as SDHC, SDXC, MultiMediaCard, MMCplus Card, HC MMCplus.
Number of Recordable Images
Large (L)
Medium 1 (M1)
Medium 2 (M2)
Medium 3 (M3)
F
N
F
N
F
N
F
N
File Size (KB)
3,597
1,719
2,302
1,100
1,395
695
558
278
4GB
1,058
2,194
1,652
3.352
2,681
5,247
6,352
12,069
16GB
4,334
8,985
6,769
13,727
10,981
21,486
26,010
49,420
Small (S)
Widescreen (W)
Widescreen (W)
F
N
F
N
F
N
File Size (KB)
150
84
2,700
1,291
990
495
4GB
20,116
30,174
1,403
2,873
3,771
7,099
16GB
82,367
123,550
5,746
11,766
15,443
29,070
Time of Recordable Movies
High Definition
Standard Definition
HD: 1,280 x 720
640 x 480
320 x 240
30 fps*
30 fps*
30 fps*
Movie size (KB/sec.)
2,955
1,316
394
4GB
21 min. 23 sec.
46 min. 46 sec.
2 hr. 23 min. 41 sec.
16GB
1 hr. 27 min. 37 sec.
3 hr. 11 min. 32 sec.
9 hr. 48 min. 19 sec.
*Actual frame rate is 29.97 fps
Note: N=Normal F=Fine
Storage Capacity varies depending on camera settings. This data is estimated from
Canon's standard shooting conditions. Figures for Movie Mode represent total capacity
of the particular media.
A Lithum-Ion battery pack powers the SD3500. Canon claims approximately 220 shots or 5 hours of playback time on a fully charged battery. The pack is charged in a handy AC charger, which features fold-away prongs, making it easy to keep in your bag. This also allows you to charge one pack while using another; we recommend picking up an extra pack if your budget allows because of this feature.
Visitors of Steves can visit the stores below for real-time pricing and availability. You can also find hot, soon to expire online offers on a variety of cameras and accessories at our very own Camera Deals page.
The SD3500's flash is located just above and to the side of the lens. The recharge time for the flash is 12 seconds or less, we found the "or less" part to be more accurate. The range for the flash is: 1.6 - 11 ft./50cm - 3.5m (W), 3.0 - 6.6 ft./90cm - 2.0m (T) at ISO Auto.
The back of the SD3500 is consumed with a wide 3.5-inch PureColor System touch LCD. This screen serves as the viewfinder as well as a touch-screen to control settings and functions of the camera. The only physical buttons on this camera reside on top.
The top controls include (from left to right); Mode switch, Playback, Power and shutter release with the zoom switch wrapped around it. You can also see the built-in microphone to the left of the mode switch. 
With the HD capabilities of the SD3500, Canon has added a HDMI port along with the standard AV port. The HDMI port will allow you to connect the camera directly to an HDTV for video playback while the AV port can be used for connecting to a computer, a standard television and/or a PictBridge compatible printer (like the Epson, Artison 810 we recently reviewed).
The SD3500 uses SD cards such as the one pictured here, as well as SDHC, SDXC, MultiMediaCard, MMCplus Card, HC MMCplus.
A Lithum-Ion battery pack powers the SD3500. Canon claims approximately 220 shots or 5 hours of playback time on a fully charged battery. The pack is charged in a handy AC charger, which features fold-away prongs, making it easy to keep in your bag. This also allows you to charge one pack while using another; we recommend picking up an extra pack if your budget allows because of this feature. 
