Casio EX-Z280 vs Sony a3500
96 Imaging
34 Features
21 Overall
28


69 Imaging
63 Features
54 Overall
59
Casio EX-Z280 vs Sony a3500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 64 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-104mm (F2.6-5.9) lens
- 133g - 97 x 53 x 20mm
- Released August 2009
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 16000
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
- Revealed March 2014
- Older Model is Sony A3000

Casio EX-Z280 vs Sony a3500 Overview
Here is a detailed review of the Casio EX-Z280 versus Sony a3500, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Casio and Sony. There exists a large gap between the sensor resolutions of the EX-Z280 (12MP) and a3500 (20MP) and the EX-Z280 (1/2.3") and a3500 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor measurements.

The EX-Z280 was released 5 years before the a3500 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Casio EX-Z280 being a Compact camera and the Sony a3500 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting through a full comparison, below is a short view of how the EX-Z280 matches up vs the a3500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Casio EX-Z280 vs Sony a3500 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Casio Exilim EX-Z280 & Sony Alpha a3500. The complete galleries are provided at Casio EX-Z280 Gallery & Sony a3500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Casio EX-Z280 over the Sony a3500
EX-Z280 | a3500 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony a3500 over the Casio EX-Z280
a3500 | EX-Z280 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | March 2014 | ![]() | August 2009 | Fresher by 55 months |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 115k | Clearer display (+115k dot) |
Common features in the Casio EX-Z280 and Sony a3500
EX-Z280 | a3500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Lacking Touch display |
Casio EX-Z280 vs Sony a3500 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to carry your camera often, you have to think about its weight and proportions. The Casio EX-Z280 features external dimensions of 97mm x 53mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.8") and a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Sony a3500 has measurements of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).
Contrast the Casio EX-Z280 versus Sony a3500 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using during that time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the EX-Z280 versus the a3500.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the EX-Z280 and a3500 is 96 and 69 respectively.

Casio EX-Z280 vs Sony a3500 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is hard to picture the gap between sensor sizing just by reading through specifications. The visual here will give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the EX-Z280 and a3500.
Plainly, both of the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The EX-Z280 because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Sony a3500 will give more detail as a result of its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images much more aggressively. The older EX-Z280 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Casio EX-Z280 vs Sony a3500 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 vs Sony a3500 Specifications
Casio Exilim EX-Z280 | Sony Alpha a3500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Casio | Sony |
Model type | Casio Exilim EX-Z280 | Sony Alpha a3500 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2009-08-31 | 2014-03-21 |
Physical type | Compact | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | BIONZ image |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 20MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 5456 x 3632 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 16000 |
Minimum native ISO | 64 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | Sony E |
Lens zoom range | 26-104mm (4.0x) | - |
Largest aperture | f/2.6-5.9 | - |
Macro focusing distance | 5cm | - |
Number of lenses | - | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 2.7" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 115 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen tech | - | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.47x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting rate | - | 4.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 4.20 m | 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100) |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync. |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | - | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD, H.264 |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 133 gr (0.29 lb) | 411 gr (0.91 lb) |
Dimensions | 97 x 53 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.8") | 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 470 pictures |
Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NP-80 | NP-FW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Triple) | Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC card, Internal | - |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at launch | $180 | $398 |