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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A35

Portability
72
Imaging
69
Features
70
Overall
69
Nikon D3500 front
 
Sony SLT-A35 front
Portability
69
Imaging
57
Features
70
Overall
62

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A35 Key Specs

Nikon D3500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 365g - 124 x 97 x 70mm
  • Released August 2018
  • Succeeded the Nikon D3400
Sony A35
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 415g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Announced September 2011
  • Old Model is Sony A33
  • Later Model is Sony A37
Photography Glossary

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A35 Overview

Following is a thorough analysis of the Nikon D3500 vs Sony A35, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the D3500 (24MP) and A35 (16MP) but they use the exact same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The D3500 was manufactured 7 years after the A35 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before getting through a in depth comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the D3500 scores against the A35 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3500 over the Sony A35

 D3500 A35 
AnnouncedAugust 2018September 2011More modern by 85 months

Reasons to pick Sony A35 over the Nikon D3500

 A35 D3500 

Common features in the Nikon D3500 and Sony A35

 D3500 A35 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Screen resolution921k921kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A35 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon D3500 has exterior dimensions of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 365 grams (0.80 lbs) while the Sony A35 has specifications of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") along with a weight of 415 grams (0.91 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D3500 vs Sony A35 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the D3500 versus the A35.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A35 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the D3500 and A35 is 72 and 69 respectively.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A35 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A35 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to visualise the gap in sensor sizes simply by seeing specs. The picture below might provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the D3500 and A35.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Nikon D3500 to show more detail due to its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more modern D3500 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A35 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A35 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A35 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D3500
Portrait photography with Sony A35
81
has manual focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
74
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3500 as a Street photography camera
Sony A35 as a Street photography camera
69
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lighter than average in class (365g)
great high ISO (25,600)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
71
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competitors (415g)
above average high ISO (25,600)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3500 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A35 as a Sports photography camera
70
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
great battery pack (1,550 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (5.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
61
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
low battery life (440 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3500 Travel photography info
Sony A35 Travel photography info
71
great battery pack (1,550 per charge)
lighter than average in class (365 grams)
connects via bluetooth
megapixel count good (24MP)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
59
lighter than competitors (415g)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse mode
low battery life (440 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3500 Landscape photography features
Sony A35 Landscape photography features
75
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3")
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (1,550 per charge)
no image stabilization
missing Time Lapse function
69
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
low battery life (440 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D3500
Vlogging with Sony A35
31
provides face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (365 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
missing mic support
36
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has microphone socket
lighter than competitors (415g)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A35 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3500 and Sony A35
 Nikon D3500Sony SLT-A35
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D3500 Sony SLT-A35
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2018-08-29 2011-09-20
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 4 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 25600 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 921 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.73x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto slow sync, Auto slow sync with red-eye reduction, Auto with red-eye reduction, Fill-flash, Off, Rear-curtain sync, Rear-curtain with slow sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 365g (0.80 pounds) 415g (0.91 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 74
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.7
DXO Low light score not tested 763
Other
Battery life 1550 images 440 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL14a NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs (1-9 exposures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail price $397 $598