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Nikon Z30 vs Sony a3500

Portability
79 Imaging
70 Features
84 Overall
75
Nikon Z30 front
 
Sony Alpha a3500 front
Portability
69 Imaging
63 Features
54 Overall
59

Nikon Z30 vs Sony a3500 Key Specs

Nikon Z30
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 405g - 128 x 74 x 60mm
  • Announced June 2022
Sony a3500
(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
  • Previous Model is Sony A3000
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Nikon Z30 vs Sony a3500 Overview

The following is a thorough assessment of the Nikon Z30 vs Sony a3500, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the Z30 (21MP) and the a3500 (20MP) is fairly comparable and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The Z30 was launched 8 years after the a3500 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick summation of how the Z30 scores against the a3500 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z30 over the Sony a3500

		

		

			
 Z30 a3500 
LaunchedJune 2022March 2014Newer by 101 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1040k230kCrisper display (+810k dot)
Selfie screen  Easy selfies
Touch display  Easily navigate
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Sony a3500 over the Nikon Z30

		

		

			
 a3500 Z30 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Nikon Z30 and Sony a3500

		

		

			
 Z30 a3500 
Manual focus  Very exact focusing
Display sizing3.00"3"Equivalent display measurement
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Nikon Z30 vs Sony a3500 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon Z30 comes with physical dimensions of 128mm x 74mm x 60mm (5.0" x 2.9" x 2.4") along with a weight of 405 grams (0.89 lbs) while the Sony a3500 has dimensions of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") and a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).
See the Nikon Z30 vs Sony a3500 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the Z30 versus the a3500.
Nikon Z30 vs Sony a3500 size comparison
Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Z30 and a3500 is 79 and 69 respectively.
Nikon Z30 vs Sony a3500 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Nikon Z30 vs Sony a3500 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Sometimes, it's tough to see the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by checking out technical specs. The picture underneath will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the Z30 and a3500.
As you have seen, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Nikon Z30 to provide greater detail utilizing its extra 1MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The fresher Z30 is going to have an edge in sensor technology.
	
			Nikon Z30 vs Sony a3500 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Nikon Z30 vs Sony a3500 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Nikon Z30 vs Sony a3500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Portrait photography with Nikon Z30
Portrait photography with Sony a3500
82
 you can focus manually
 decent megapixels (21 megapixels)
 decent sensor size (APS-C)
 offers face detection autofocus
 exports RAW formats
77
 focusing manually
 good megapixels (20MP)
 good sensor size (APS-C)
 comes with face detection focusing
 delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison
Nikon Z30 Street photography features
Sony a3500 Street photography features
75
 fully articulated screen
 decent sensor size (APS-C)
 exports RAW formats
 offers touch focus
 weather sealing
 above average ISO range (51,200)
 no image stabilization
 more heavy than competition in class (405 grams)
57
 good sensor size (APS-C)
 delivers RAW formats
 no articulating screen
 does not have image stabilization
 heavier than others in class (411 grams)
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Sports Comparison
Nikon Z30 Sports photography info
Sony a3500 Sports photography info
76
 decent megapixels (21 megapixels)
 decent sensor size (APS-C)
 offers tracking autofocus
 weather sealing
 sensor has phase detect autofocus
 no image stabilization
60
 good megapixels (20MP)
 good sensor size (APS-C)
 comes with tracking autofocus
 better than average battery life (470 shots)
 slow frames per second (4.0 frames/s)
 does not have image stabilization
 doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison
 Nikon Z30 as a Travel photography camera
 Sony a3500 as a Travel photography camera
78
 weather sealing
 has bluetooth
 offers touch focus
 decent megapixels (21MP)
 selfie friendly display
 more heavy than competition in class (405g)
60
 better than average battery life (470 CIPA)
 good megapixels (20MP)
 has built in flash
 does not have Time Lapse recording
 heavier than others in class (411g)
 display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary
Landscape Comparison
Landscape photography with Nikon Z30
Landscape photography with Sony a3500
80
 you can focus manually
 change lenses (Nikon Z mount)
 screen size is good (3.00 inch)
 decent megapixels (21 megapixels)
 decent sensor size (APS-C)
 doesnt have anti-alias filter
 above average ISO range (51,200)
 exports RAW formats
 weather sealing
 no image stabilization
70
 focusing manually
 interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
 screen is a good size (3 inches)
 good megapixels (20MP)
 good sensor size (APS-C)
 delivers RAW formats
 better than average battery life (470 CIPA)
 does not have image stabilization
 does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison
Nikon Z30 Vlogging info
Sony a3500 Vlogging info
74
 selfie friendly display
 touchscreen enabled
 offers face detection autofocus
 great video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
 includes external microphone socket
 no image stabilization
 more heavy than competition in class (405 grams)
26
 comes with face detection focusing
 high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
 display is not selfie friendly
 does not have image stabilization
 does not have external mic jack
 heavier than others in class (411g)
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Nikon Z30 vs Sony a3500 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z30 and Sony a3500
 Nikon Z30Sony Alpha a3500
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Z30 Sony Alpha a3500
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2022-06-29 2014-03-21
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ image
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and  16:9 3:2 and  16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5568 x 3712 5456 x 3632
Maximum native ISO 51200 16000
Maximum enhanced ISO 204800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images    
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Touch to focus    
AF continuous    
AF single    
Tracking AF    
Selective AF    
Center weighted AF    
Multi area AF    
AF live view    
Face detect AF    
Contract detect AF    
Phase detect AF    
Total focus points 209 25
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon Z Sony E
Number of lenses 35 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.00" 3"
Display resolution 1,040k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch friendly    
Display technology - 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
Continuous shutter speed 11.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manually set exposure    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB    
Image stabilization    
Built-in flash    
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
Flash options Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, off Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
External flash    
AEB    
WB bracketing    
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering    
Average metering    
Spot metering    
Partial metering    
AF area metering    
Center weighted metering    
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, H.264
Mic input    
Headphone input    
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 405 gr (0.89 lb) 411 gr (0.91 lb)
Dimensions 128 x 74 x 60mm (5.0" x 2.9" x 2.4") 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 330 pictures 470 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL25 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay)
Time lapse feature    
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $650 $398