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Sony A350 vs Sony A500

Portability
62
Imaging
53
Features
47
Overall
50
Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Sony A350 vs Sony A500 Key Specs

Sony A350
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 674g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
  • Revealed June 2008
  • Updated by Sony A380
Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Released August 2009
  • Updated by Sony A560
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Sony A350 vs Sony A500 Overview

In this article, we are evaluating the Sony A350 versus Sony A500, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras and they are both created by Sony. The resolution of the A350 (14MP) and the A500 (12MP) is fairly close and they use the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The A350 was revealed 14 months earlier than the A500 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before delving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the A350 grades against the A500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A350 over the Sony A500

 A350 A500 

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Sony A350

 A500 A350 
ReleasedAugust 2009June 2008More recent by 14 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Sony A350 and Sony A500

 A350 A500 
Focus manually More exact focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Sony A350 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and size. The Sony A350 enjoys outside dimensions of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 674 grams (1.49 lbs) whilst the Sony A500 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

Examine the Sony A350 versus Sony A500 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the A350 and the A500.

Sony A350 vs Sony A500 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A350 and A500 is 62 and 63 respectively.

Sony A350 vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Sony A350 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to see the gap in sensor measurements just by researching specs. The visual below should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the A350 and A500.

All in all, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Sony A350 to provide you with greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos far more aggressively. The older A350 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Sony A350 vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Sony A350 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A350 vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A350 Portrait photography information
Sony A500 Portrait photography information
71
you can focus manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
63
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Sony A350 Street photography advice
Sony A500 Street photography advice
66
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
more heavy than competition in class (674 grams)
74
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sony A350 Sports photography advice
Sony A500 Sports photography advice
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
51
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (5.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (520 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A350
Travel photography with Sony A500
51
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (674g)
display isn't selfie friendly
43
has built in flash
no Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (520 shots)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A350 Landscape photography information
Sony A500 Landscape photography information
64
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
small screen (2.7 inch)
missing Timelapse mode
60
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (520 shots)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A350 Vlogging advice
Sony A500 Vlogging advice
9
can't record video
9
no video
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Sony A350 vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A350 and Sony A500
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A350Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2008-06-06 2009-08-27
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4592 x 3056 4272 x 2848
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 143 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.49x 0.53x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 674 gr (1.49 lb) 630 gr (1.39 lb)
Dimensions 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 65 64
DXO Color Depth rating 22.6 21.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.5 11.6
DXO Low light rating 595 772
Other
Battery life - 520 images
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32 SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $600 $638