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Sony NEX-5R vs Sony a3500

Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
 
Sony Alpha a3500 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
54
Overall
59

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony a3500 Key Specs

Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Released August 2012
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-5N
  • Successor is Sony NEX-5T
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
  • Announced March 2014
  • Old Model is Sony A3000
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Sony NEX-5R vs Sony a3500 Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Sony NEX-5R vs Sony a3500, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras and they are both manufactured by Sony. The image resolution of the NEX-5R (16MP) and the a3500 (20MP) is pretty similar and they possess the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The NEX-5R was manufactured 18 months before the a3500 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony a3500 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a short overview of how the NEX-5R grades vs the a3500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Sony a3500

 NEX-5R a3500 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony a3500 over the Sony NEX-5R

 a3500 NEX-5R 
AnnouncedMarch 2014August 2012More modern by 18 months

Common features in the Sony NEX-5R and Sony a3500

 NEX-5R a3500 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony a3500 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Sony NEX-5R provides outside dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs) while the Sony a3500 has sizing of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") along with a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).

Check out the Sony NEX-5R vs Sony a3500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the NEX-5R versus the a3500.

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony a3500 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the NEX-5R and a3500 is 89 and 69 respectively.

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony a3500 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony a3500 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizes only by reviewing technical specs. The picture below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the NEX-5R and a3500.

As you can tell, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Sony a3500 to offer you more detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more aged NEX-5R is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony a3500 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony a3500 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony a3500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5R
Portrait photography with Sony a3500
74
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
77
has manual focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-5R Street photography info
Sony a3500 Street photography info
80
tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
offers focus by touch
great ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
57
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
heavier than others (411 grams)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony NEX-5R
Sports photography with Sony a3500
68
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features tracking focus
sensor has phase detect AF
no image stabilization
60
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
great battery (470 per charge)
low frames per second (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-5R Travel photography factors
Sony a3500 Travel photography factors
73
offers focus by touch
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
60
great battery (470 CIPA)
resolution is good (20MP)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than others (411g)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-5R Landscape photography features
Sony a3500 Landscape photography features
75
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
70
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
great battery (470 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-5R Vlogging info
Sony a3500 Vlogging info
31
has touchscreen
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
lack of microphone support
26
includes face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing mic support
heavier than others (411g)
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Sony NEX-5R vs Sony a3500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-5R and Sony a3500
 Sony Alpha NEX-5RSony Alpha a3500
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha NEX-5R Sony Alpha a3500
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2012-08-29 2014-03-21
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz BIONZ image
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 365.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4912 x 3264 5456 x 3632
Highest native ISO 25600 16000
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 99 25
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E Sony E
Total lenses 121 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 920 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.47x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD 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 276g (0.61 lb) 411g (0.91 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 78 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 910 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photos 470 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NPFW50 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay)
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Storage type SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo -
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $750 $398