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Samsung NX mini vs Sony a3500

Portability
93
Imaging
52
Features
68
Overall
58
Samsung NX mini front
 
Sony Alpha a3500 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
54
Overall
59

Samsung NX mini vs Sony a3500 Key Specs

Samsung NX mini
(Full Review)
  • 20.5MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • 1/16000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX-M Mount
  • 196g - 110 x 62 x 23mm
  • Introduced March 2014
Sony a3500
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
  • Launched March 2014
  • Replaced the Sony A3000
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Samsung NX mini vs Sony a3500 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Samsung NX mini vs Sony a3500, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Samsung and Sony. The resolution of the NX mini (20.5MP) and the a3500 (20MP) is relatively similar but the NX mini (1") and a3500 (APS-C) have different sensor dimensions.

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The NX mini was revealed within a month of the a3500 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Samsung NX mini being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony a3500 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the NX mini scores against the a3500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX mini over the Sony a3500

 NX mini a3500 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony a3500 over the Samsung NX mini

 a3500 NX mini 

Common features in the Samsung NX mini and Sony a3500

 NX mini a3500 
LaunchedMarch 2014March 2014Similar generation
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Samsung NX mini vs Sony a3500 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Samsung NX mini has got outside measurements of 110mm x 62mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") with a weight of 196 grams (0.43 lbs) and 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).

Analyze the Samsung NX mini vs Sony a3500 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have at that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the NX mini vs the a3500.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony a3500 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the NX mini and a3500 is 93 and 69 respectively.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony a3500 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX mini vs Sony a3500 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements only by reading specs. The graphic underneath will give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the NX mini and a3500.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The NX mini having a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF harder and the Samsung NX mini will deliver more detail because of its extra 0.5 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony a3500 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX mini vs Sony a3500 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX mini vs Sony a3500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX mini as a Portrait photography camera
Sony a3500 as a Portrait photography camera
71
manual focus
megapixel count good (20.5 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
supports face detection focus
supports RAW files
77
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Samsung NX mini as a Street photography camera
Sony a3500 as a Street photography camera
81
screen tilts
sensor size is good (1")
supports RAW files
boasts focus via touch
lighter than competition in class (196 grams)
does not have image stabilization
57
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition (411g)
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Sports Comparison

Samsung NX mini Sports photography factors
Sony a3500 Sports photography factors
54
maximum shutter speed is high (1/16,000s)
megapixel count good (20.5 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
good battery pack (650 CIPA)
max frames per second very slow (6.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
60
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
great battery pack (470 CIPA)
low frames per second (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX mini Travel photography info
Sony a3500 Travel photography info
76
good battery pack (650 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (196g)
boasts focus via touch
megapixel count good (20.5 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
does not feature selfie friendly display
60
great battery pack (470 CIPA)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (411 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX mini Landscape photography information
Sony a3500 Landscape photography information
68
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Samsung NX-M mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
megapixel count good (20.5MP)
sensor size is good (1")
supports RAW files
good battery pack (650 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse function
70
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3")
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (470 shots)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX mini as a Vlogging camera
Sony a3500 as a Vlogging camera
38
touchscreen functionality
supports face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external microphone jack
lighter than competition in class (196 grams)
does not feature selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
26
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have mic support
heavier than competition (411g)
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Samsung NX mini vs Sony a3500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX mini and Sony a3500
 Samsung NX miniSony Alpha a3500
General Information
Brand Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung NX mini Sony Alpha a3500
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2014-03-19 2014-03-21
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - BIONZ image
Sensor type BSI-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 20.5MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5472 x 3648 5456 x 3632
Max native ISO 12800 16000
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW support
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 21 25
Lens
Lens mount type Samsung NX-M Sony E
Available lenses 2 121
Focal length multiplier 2.7 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT-LCD (180 degree tilt) TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.47x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/16000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
Flash modes Smart Flash, auto, auto + redeye reduction, fill-in, fill-in + redeye reduction, 1st curtain, 2nd curtain Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 (all 30 fps) 1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 196g (0.43 lb) 411g (0.91 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 62 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") 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 650 photographs 470 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID B740 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2-30 sec) Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC -
Card slots One One
Cost at release $530 $398