Sony A7 III vs Sony a3500: A Deep Dive into Two Worlds of Mirrorless Photography

When you put the Sony A7 III and the Sony a3500 side by side, you're essentially looking at two very different cameras from two different eras and market segments - yet both bear Sony’s E-mount and promise the mirrorless experience. One is a powerhouse professional mirrorless full-frame capable of delivering studio-grade images; the other is an entry-level APS-C mirrorless that sought to lower the barrier for beginners dipping their toes into interchangeable lens photography. But can we fairly compare these two, and more importantly, how do they actually stack up when you try to make real photos?

Having spent over 15 years juggling cameras from budget-friendly to pro titans, I’m excited to take you on this journey. We’re diving into ergonomics, sensor tech, autofocus, image quality, and every corner where these cameras live and breathe. Buckle up for a rollercoaster that’ll leave you ready to pick your next Sony (or maybe think twice) with clarity.

Let’s clear the fog and start by looking at their physical presence and user handling.

Size, Feel, and Control: Which Sony Fits Your Hand Better?

Have you ever held a camera and felt an instant connection - or the exact opposite? Ergonomics aren’t just about comfort but influence how fast and intuitively you can work. The Sony A7 III sports a traditional DSLR-style mirrorless body, comparatively robust and designed to support professional work in the wild or the studio. The Sony a3500, on the other hand, is a compact contender aimed at ease of use for newcomers.

Looking at the numbers:

• The A7 III weighs 650g with dimensions 127x96x74mm
• The a3500 weighs 411g with dimensions 128x91x85mm

What’s immediately clear is that the A7 III has a deeper grip and more substantial feel - this feels like a tool meant to be worked with all day. The a3500 is lighter and slightly bulkier in depth relative to its height, and its grip is noticeably smaller, reflecting its more casual usage intent.

Tap into the control scheme, and the differences just multiply - because the A7 III offers much more tactile feedback and dials. On top, it has dedicated shutter speeds, exposure compensation dials, and customizable buttons for quick adjustments, while the a3500 sticks to a simpler design for ease. You can see this in the detailed top view:

It’s not just aesthetics; these control layouts shape how quickly you can change settings under pressure. For example, I found the A7 III’s illuminated buttons and logical layout particularly valuable when shooting events in low light. The a3500’s fixed screen and minimal controls hint towards less intense use cases - think vacations or casual portraits rather than pro shoots.

If portability and simplicity are your priority, the a3500 wins out, but if you want versatility and speedy control during a shoot, the A7 III stands head and shoulders above.

The Heart of the Matter: Sensor Size and Image Quality

Now we cross into the most crucial battlefield - image quality. The sensor dictates not only resolution but also dynamic range, noise performance, color depth, and ultimately, how your photos look in real-world conditions.

• Sony A7 III: Full-frame BSI-CMOS sensor, 24.2 megapixels, sensor size 35.8x23.8mm.
• Sony a3500: APS-C CMOS sensor, 20.1 megapixels, sensor size 23.5x15.6mm.

The A7 III’s full-frame sensor offers a significant edge in gathering light and producing cleaner results at high ISOs. Its backside-illuminated design enhances low-light performance, with an impressive DxO Mark overall score of 96, dynamic range of 14.7 stops, and color depth of 25 bits. In practical terms - shooting a dimly lit wedding or a night sky - the A7 III delivers distinguished clarity and tonality.

The a3500 is more modest. Its APS-C sensor has a nice 20-megapixel resolution, but lacks BSI tech and advanced noise handling, and consequently scores below professional-grade sensors (unfortunately not officially tested by DxO). It’s perfectly serviceable for sunny landscapes, family portraits, and casual snaps but will struggle under challenging low-light or high-contrast scenarios.

In my comparative tests, the dynamic range difference was immediately visible - landscape shots with A7 III retained detail in both shadows and highlights much better. The a3500 clipped shadows slightly and showed more noise crunching in darker areas.

Eye-Tracking and Autofocus: The Need for Speed and Accuracy

A camera can have an awesome sensor but if the autofocus isn’t up to scratch, capturing decisive moments becomes guesswork. Sony’s A7 III flaunts its state-of-the-art hybrid AF system with 693 phase-detect points, covering almost the entire frame. It also features real-time Eye AF for humans and animals - a godsend for portrait and wildlife shooters.

The a3500’s more rudimentary autofocus system covers just 25 contrast detection points and lacks phase detection. No eye-tracking either.

These disparities shine brightest in fast-paced situations:

• Sports and Wildlife: The A7 III’s tracking is buttery smooth and reliable, even under erratic movements or low light. The a3500 often hunts for focus or misses the subject entirely.
• Portraits: The Eye AF on the A7 III locks onto eyes with locked-in precision, yielding sharp portraits consistently. The a3500’s AF may require manual adjustments or multiple attempts.
• Street Photography: The quicker and quieter shutter and focusing system of the A7 III allow you to capture candid moments unaffected by focus lag.

Conversely, for casual shooters new to interchangeable lenses, the a3500’s AF system suffices for everyday usage, though don’t expect to catch hummingbirds or fast football action easily.

Display and Interface: Where You Look Matters

The rear LCD and viewfinder are the windows into your photographic world. The A7 III features a bright, tilting 3” touchscreen LCD with a 922k-dot resolution and an electronic viewfinder boasting 2.36 million dots covering 100% of the frame.

The a3500 sports a fixed 3” TFT LCD with just 230k dots and a lower magnification electronic viewfinder.

Having tested both extensively, the difference is not just sharpness but usability under varying conditions. The A7 III’s tilting touchscreen makes composing at awkward angles - think macro or street photography from hip height - a breeze. Plus, touchscreen AF point selection improves workflow when you need speed.

The a3500’s fixed, low-res screen feels cramped and dull, and no touchscreen means more button-fiddling. The electronic viewfinder is less immersive, making it harder to judge focus and exposure precisely.

For professionals or enthusiasts, the A7 III’s superior EVF and flexible display are part of why it feels like a serious photographic tool, reducing errors and easing creativity.

Lens Selection and System Compatibility: Your Next Glasses

Sony’s E-mount lens ecosystem has exploded, and behind both cameras sit access to over 120 lenses, from inexpensive primes to high-end G Master zooms.

However, your sensor size influences effective focal lengths:

• The a3500’s APS-C sensor means a 1.5x crop factor. A 50mm lens behaves like a 75mm equivalents.
• The A7 III’s full-frame sensor provides true native focal length, important for wide-angle shooting and portrait rendering.

While both cameras accept the same lenses, don’t overlook knowing which lenses best suit each system:

• The A7 III gains huge benefits from full-frame “fast primes” like the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 for portraits or FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM for landscapes.
• The a3500 is better paired with APS-C Sony E lenses for price and size efficiency.

So, when budgeting, the A7 III’s network of high-performance lenses can justify its upfront investment if you’re serious about image quality. The a3500 shines for those prioritizing affordability and smaller lens packages without going full smartphone.

Shooting Across Genres: Which Camera Excels Where?

Let’s examine real use case scenarios where different photography disciplines test each camera’s mettle.

Portrait Photography

Sony A7 III’s eye autofocus (including animal eye AF) and superior bokeh from full-frame lenses create stunning portraits with creamy backgrounds and sharp eyes. Skin tone reproduction is natural, helped by higher color depth. The a3500, while serviceable, can’t match this polish. It requires more manual tweaking or postprocessing.

Landscape Photography

The A7 III’s 14.7 stops of dynamic range and 24 MP resolution mean rich, detailed files perfect for big prints or heavy editing. Weather sealing lets you shoot in harsh conditions - a critical bonus for outdoor photographers. The a3500’s limited dynamic range and no weather sealing mean more care is needed.

Wildlife Photography

Burst shooting is a critical metric here:

• A7 III shoots at 10 fps with continuous autofocus.
• a3500 maxes out at 4 fps with limited AF.

Combined with the A7 III’s vast AF point coverage and tracking, it's the obvious choice for fast, unpredictable subjects.

Sports Photography

Similar to wildlife, the A7 III’s AF speed, 10 fps burst, and low-light autofocus extend into sports - indoor arenas to dusk soccer matches. The a3500 struggles to keep up.

Street Photography

Street calls for discretion and portability. Here, the a3500 is lighter and less intimidating, but the full-frame sensor of the A7 III offers better low-light performance for moody cityscapes once you get used to its bulk. The A7 III’s quiet shutter mode also helps remain unobtrusive.

Macro Photography

The A7 III’s superior live view with focus magnification, precise AF, and sensor-based 5-axis image stabilization radically helps macro work - stabilizing handheld shots at close range. The a3500 lacks in-body stabilization.

Night and Astro Photography

When light goes extreme, the A7 III’s higher native ISO (up to 51200), excellent noise control, and longer exposures shine. The a3500 can shoot at ISO 16000 max but with visible noise and loss of detail.

Video Capabilities

Video shooters will appreciate the A7 III’s 4K UHD recording at 30p, internal 8-bit 4:2:0 or external 4:2:2 8-bit clean HDMI output, 120fps slow-motion in 1080p, microphone and headphone jacks for monitoring, and real-time autofocus tracking.

The a3500 delivers 1080p only, has no mic or headphone jacks, and lacks 4K and slow-motion options.

Overall, the A7 III suits hybrid shooters craving professional video options.

Travel Photography

Here, the argument tightens - the a3500’s lighter weight (411g vs 650g), smaller size, and affordability make it attractive for casual travel enthusiasts. Battery life is better on the A7 III (610 vs 470 shots) but both cover day trips well.

Durability and Build Quality: Will Your Camera Survive the Journey?

The A7 III features environmental sealing - dust and moisture resistance. The a3500 has no seals, meaning it won’t perform as reliably outside perfect weather conditions.

For those shooting outdoors or professionally, this matters a lot - having a camera you trust not to fail mid-shoot can’t be overstated.

Connectivity: Staying Wired or Wireless?

The A7 III impresses with built-in WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, USB 3.1 Gen 1, and full HDMI out, enabling quick tethering and image transfer. The a3500 lacks wireless networking altogether, has just USB 2.0, and limited remote control options.

If you value remote shooting, image sharing on the fly, or integration with apps, the A7 III is superior.

Battery Life and Storage: Powering Your Workday

Measured by CIPA standards:

• A7 III uses the NP-FZ100 battery with approx. 610 shots per charge.
• a3500 runs on the older NP-FW50 delivering about 470 shots.

Both support SD cards. The A7 III sports dual card slots, supporting security and extended capacity crucial for professionals. The a3500 offers only one card slot.

Pricing and Value Proposition: What Are You Getting for Your Buck?

• Sony A7 III launched at around $1998 body only.
• Sony a3500 came in at roughly $398.

Big price gap - the A7 III offers full-frame image quality, professional features, and robust build plus video sophistication. The a3500 suits absolute beginners or budget shooters looking for a simple step up from smartphone or point-and-shoots.

Looking at overall ratings, the A7 III scores consistently high marks in image quality, autofocus, and versatility. The a3500 is more modest, reflecting its target market.

How They Score Across Photography Genres: The Real-World Breakdown

• Portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, and video capabilities heavily favor the A7 III.
• The a3500 scores decently in entry-level street, casual travel, and budget portrait shooting.
• Neither camera is optimized for professional macro or astrophotography, but the A7 III is closer to fulfilling those niches.

Sample Images: Seeing Is Believing

It’s one thing to talk specs, another to see results.

Sony A7 III front Sony A7 III screen back Sony a3500 front Sony a3500 screen back

Comparing these side by side, note the color fidelity, noise control, background rendering, and fine detail. The A7 III’s shots show superior clarity, richer tones, and better dynamic handling. The a3500’s images are softer with more noise creeping into shadows and highlights.

Summing It Up: Who Should Buy Which?

• Choose the Sony A7 III if you:

  • Are a serious enthusiast or professional needing superior image quality, extended lens choices, excellent low-light performance, and advanced autofocus.
  • Want to shoot diverse genres including wildlife, sports, portraits, landscapes, or video.
  • Need ruggedness and reliability in demanding environments.
  • Value future-proofing with better connectivity and dual card slots.
  • Can invest around $2000 for the body alone.

• Choose the Sony a3500 if you:

  • Are a beginner or hobbyist seeking an affordable entry into interchangeable lens cameras.
  • Want a practical and lightweight camera for casual portraits, travel, or street photography.
  • Don’t require advanced autofocus, 4K video, or extreme low-light capabilities.
  • Prefer simplicity over customizability.
  • Need a budget DSLR-style body under $400.

Final Thoughts: The Tale of Two Sonys

Comparing the Sony A7 III and a3500 is like comparing a thoroughbred racehorse with a reliable pony - both have their place but aim for vastly different goals.

As someone who has shot thousands of frames with both cameras, I can say the A7 III transforms how you engage with photography through speed, precision, and image quality. It’s my go-to when nothing less than excellence is acceptable, though the price and size may be overkill if you just want easy snapshots.

The a3500 remains a charming, if limited, companion for those curious about mirrorless systems but not yet ready to commit to pro-level gear. It’s perfect for learning the basics and improving over a smartphone without breaking the bank.

In the end, your choice boils down to ambition versus simplicity - and budget versus performance. Either way, Sony’s E-mount lens flexibility ensures you can build a system tailored exactly to your photographic journey.

Happy shooting!

Written by a seasoned camera tester and avid photographer dedicated to helping you find the perfect gear - balanced with real-world experience and a pinch of skepticism when marketing claims get overzealous.