Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony a3500
92 Imaging
44 Features
63 Overall
51


69 Imaging
63 Features
54 Overall
59
Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony a3500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 160 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 201g - 101 x 61 x 29mm
- Introduced November 2013
- Superseded the Nikon 1 J2
- Newer Model is Nikon 1 J4
(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
- Launched March 2014
- Older Model is Sony A3000

Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony a3500 Overview
Lets take a closer look at the Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony a3500, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. There exists a crucial gap among the image resolutions of the 1 J3 (14MP) and a3500 (20MP) and the 1 J3 (1") and a3500 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor dimensions.

The 1 J3 was launched 3 months prior to the a3500 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Nikon 1 J3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony a3500 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting into a thorough comparison, here is a concise summation of how the 1 J3 grades vs the a3500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony a3500 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon 1 J3 and Sony Alpha a3500. The complete galleries are provided at Nikon 1 J3 Gallery and Sony a3500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J3 over the Sony a3500
1 J3 | a3500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony a3500 over the Nikon 1 J3
a3500 | 1 J3 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon 1 J3 and Sony a3500
1 J3 | a3500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | November 2013 | ![]() | March 2014 | Same generation |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Missing Touch friendly display |
Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony a3500 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is planning to carry your camera often, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon 1 J3 has got external dimensions of 101mm x 61mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 201 grams (0.44 lbs) while 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).
Analyze the Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony a3500 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the 1 J3 against the a3500.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 1 J3 and a3500 is 92 and 69 respectively.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony a3500 Sensor Comparison
Typically, its hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing simply by checking out specs. The graphic here might offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the 1 J3 and a3500.
All in all, both of those cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The 1 J3 due to its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF trickier and the Sony a3500 will show greater detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images a bit more aggressively.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony a3500 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony a3500 Specifications
Nikon 1 J3 | Sony Alpha a3500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon 1 J3 | Sony Alpha a3500 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2013-11-30 | 2014-03-21 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | BIONZ image |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 13.2 x 8.8mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 116.2mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 20 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3072 | 5456 x 3632 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 16000 |
Minimum native ISO | 160 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 135 | 25 |
Cross type focus points | 41 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Nikon 1 | Sony E |
Number of lenses | 13 | 121 |
Crop factor | 2.7 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 921k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.47x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Fastest silent shutter speed | 1/16000 seconds | - |
Continuous shutter speed | 15.0 frames per second | 4.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m | 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100) |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync. |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/60 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 1072 x 720 (60 fps) 640 x 240 (400), 320 x 120 (1200) | 1920 x 1080 |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD, H.264 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Optional | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 201 gr (0.44 lb) | 411 gr (0.91 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 101 x 61 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 52 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 20.4 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.0 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 420 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 220 images | 470 images |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL20 | NP-FW50 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | - |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch pricing | $170 | $398 |