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Nikon Z9 vs Sony a3500

Portability
51
Imaging
82
Features
90
Overall
85
Nikon Z9 front
 
Sony Alpha a3500 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
54
Overall
59

Nikon Z9 vs Sony a3500 Key Specs

Nikon Z9
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Bump to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 1340g - 149 x 150 x 91mm
  • Revealed October 2021
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
  • Replaced the Sony A3000
Photography Glossary

Nikon Z9 vs Sony a3500 Overview

Following is a in-depth comparison of the Nikon Z9 versus Sony a3500, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Nikon and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the Z9 (46MP) and a3500 (20MP) and the Z9 (Full frame) and a3500 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The Z9 was launched 7 years after the a3500 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before we go into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick summary of how the Z9 scores against the a3500 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z9 over the Sony a3500

 Z9 a3500 
LaunchedOctober 2021March 2014More modern by 93 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2089k230kCrisper display (+1859k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony a3500 over the Nikon Z9

 a3500 Z9 

Common features in the Nikon Z9 and Sony a3500

 Z9 a3500 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Nikon Z9 vs Sony a3500 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon Z9 enjoys exterior measurements of 149mm x 150mm x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs) whilst the Sony a3500 has proportions of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).

Examine the Nikon Z9 versus Sony a3500 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the Z9 compared to the a3500.

Nikon Z9 vs Sony a3500 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the Z9 and a3500 is 51 and 69 respectively.

Nikon Z9 vs Sony a3500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z9 vs Sony a3500 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to see the difference between sensor sizes only by going over specifications. The picture here will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the Z9 and a3500.

Plainly, both of these cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The Z9 featuring a larger sensor will make getting bokeh simpler and the Nikon Z9 will offer extra detail utilizing its extra 26 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The newer Z9 is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Nikon Z9 vs Sony a3500 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z9 vs Sony a3500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z9 vs Sony a3500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon Z9
Portrait photography with Sony a3500
89
manual focus
high megapixels (46 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
77
you can focus manually
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z9 as a Street photography camera
Sony a3500 as a Street photography camera
70
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
includes touch focus
environment sealing
good ISO range (25,600)
heavier than competition (1,340g)
57
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (411 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z9 as a Sports photography camera
Sony a3500 as a Sports photography camera
91
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (30.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high megapixels (46MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
environment sealing
good battery power (740 shots)
has phase detect autofocus
60
good megapixels (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
great battery life (470 shots)
slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z9 as a Travel photography camera
Sony a3500 as a Travel photography camera
65
good battery power (740 CIPA)
environment sealing
has bluetooth
includes touch focus
high megapixels (46MP)
heavier than competition (1,340 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
60
great battery life (470 CIPA)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (411 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z9 Landscape photography details
Sony a3500 Landscape photography details
87
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon Z mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high megapixels (46MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
good battery power (740 per charge)
has dual storage slots
70
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (470 shots)
lack of image stabilization
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z9 Vlogging information
Sony a3500 Vlogging information
32
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection autofocus
high video quality (7680 x 4320 resolution)
has external mic jack
screen is not selfie friendly
heavier than competition (1,340g)
26
provides face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
does not have microphone support
more heavy than competition in class (411 grams)
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Nikon Z9 vs Sony a3500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z9 and Sony a3500
 Nikon Z9Sony Alpha a3500
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z9 Sony Alpha a3500
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2021-10-28 2014-03-21
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - BIONZ image
Sensor type Stacked CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 46MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 8256 x 5504 5456 x 3632
Highest native ISO 25600 16000
Highest enhanced ISO 102400 -
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW photos
Minimum enhanced ISO 32 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 493 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon Z Sony E
Available lenses 29 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3.2" 3"
Resolution of display 2,089 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,686 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.47x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 900 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed - 1/4000 secs
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 30.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
Flash settings Front-curtain sync, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync Off Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 7680 x 4320 @ 30p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM7680 x 4320 @ 25p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM7680 x 4320 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, L 1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 7680x4320 1920x1080
Video file format H.264, H.265 AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1340 grams (2.95 pounds) 411 grams (0.91 pounds)
Physical dimensions 149 x 150 x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6") 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 740 photos 470 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL18d NP-FW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Dual CFexpress Type B slots -
Card slots Dual Single
Cost at release $5,500 $398