Sony a3500 vs Sony QX30
69 Imaging
62 Features
54 Overall
58


91 Imaging
45 Features
37 Overall
41
Sony a3500 vs Sony QX30 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed March 2014
- Replaced the Sony A3000
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- " Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-720mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
- 193g - 68 x 65 x 58mm
- Released September 2014

Sony a3500 vs Sony QX30 Overview
In this write-up, we will be matching up the Sony a3500 and Sony QX30, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Lens-style and both are sold by Sony. The sensor resolution of the a3500 (20MP) and the QX30 (20MP) is pretty similar but the a3500 (APS-C) and QX30 (1/2.3") use different sensor dimensions.

The a3500 was released 5 months prior to the QX30 and they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras offer different body type with the Sony a3500 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony QX30 being a Lens-style camera.
Before diving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a quick summary of how the a3500 grades vs the QX30 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Sony a3500 vs Sony QX30 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Sony Alpha a3500 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30. The complete galleries are available at Sony a3500 Gallery and Sony QX30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony a3500 over the Sony QX30
a3500 | QX30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | " | Bigger screen (+3") |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 0k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony QX30 over the Sony a3500
QX30 | a3500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Sony a3500 and Sony QX30
a3500 | QX30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | March 2014 | ![]() | September 2014 | Similar generation |
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen |
Sony a3500 vs Sony QX30 Physical Comparison
When you are going to carry your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Sony a3500 provides outside measurements of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") along with a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs) and the Sony QX30 has sizing of 68mm x 65mm x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") along with a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).
Compare the Sony a3500 and Sony QX30 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the a3500 versus the QX30.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the a3500 and QX30 is 69 and 91 respectively.

Sony a3500 vs Sony QX30 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizing merely by reading specifications. The graphic below should offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the a3500 and QX30.
Plainly, each of these cameras offer the same exact megapixel count albeit different sensor sizing. The a3500 contains the bigger sensor which will make obtaining shallower DOF easier.

Sony a3500 vs Sony QX30 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sony a3500 vs Sony QX30 Specifications
Sony Alpha a3500 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Sony | Sony |
Model | Sony Alpha a3500 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Lens-style |
Revealed | 2014-03-21 | 2014-09-03 |
Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | Lens-style |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | BIONZ image | Bionz X |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 23.5 x 15.6mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 366.6mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 20 megapixels | 20 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 5456 x 3632 | 5184 x 3888 |
Maximum native ISO | 16000 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 25 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Sony E | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 24-720mm (30.0x) |
Largest aperture | - | f/3.5-6.3 |
Total lenses | 121 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3" | - |
Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 0k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.47x | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30s | 4s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shutter speed | 4.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100) | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync. | None |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/160s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | AVCHD, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 411 grams (0.91 lb) | 193 grams (0.43 lb) |
Dimensions | 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") | 68 x 65 x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 470 images | 200 images |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | NP-FW50 | NP-BN, |
Self timer | Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay) | Yes (2, 10 secs) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | - | microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch cost | $398 | $348 |