Panasonic S5 vs Sony a3500

Here is a in depth overview of the Panasonic S5 vs Sony a3500, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the S5 (24MP) and the a3500 (20MP) is pretty well matched but the S5 (Full frame) and a3500 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor measurements.

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The S5 was released 6 years later than the a3500 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the S5 scores vs the a3500 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 and Sony Alpha a3500. The complete galleries are available at Panasonic S5 Gallery and Sony a3500 Gallery.

When you are looking to carry your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic S5 comes with external measurements of 133mm x 97mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") having a weight of 714 grams (1.57 lbs) while the Sony a3500 has dimensions of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") with a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).

See the Panasonic S5 vs Sony a3500 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the S5 and the a3500.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the S5 and a3500 is 60 and 69 respectively.

In many cases, it can be hard to envision the difference between sensor sizing just by reading through a spec sheet. The visual below will provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the S5 and a3500.

Clearly, the 2 cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The S5 due to its bigger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field simpler and the Panasonic S5 will resolve greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots way more aggressively. The more modern S5 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.