Sony a3500 vs Sony RX100 II: A Hands-On Comparative Review for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing between the Sony a3500 and Sony RX100 II is an intriguing proposition. Despite both carrying the Sony badge and boasting 20MP sensors, these cameras aim at very different photography audiences and use cases. Having tested thousands of cameras - from pro DSLRs to compacts - I’m sharing hands-on insights you won’t easily find in spec sheets alone.

In this deep-dive comparison, I break down everything from image quality and autofocus to handling and versatility. Whether you’re a budding enthusiast or a pro looking for a capable secondary, this guide will help you understand where each camera shines - and where compromises might impact your shooting.

Getting to Know the Contenders: a3500 and RX100 II

Before we get technical, here’s a quick orientation to each model’s core identity:

Sony a3500

• Entry-level mirrorless SLR-style camera
• APS-C sensor (23.5 x 15.6mm)
• Sony E-mount lens system (interchangeable lenses)
• 3-inch fixed TFT LCD, electronic viewfinder included
• ISO 100-16,000, 4 fps continuous shooting
• No image stabilization in body
• No wireless connectivity
• Released March 2014, priced ~ $400

Sony RX100 II

• Large sensor compact camera
• 1-inch sensor (13.2 x 8.8mm)
• Fixed 28-100mm (35mm equiv.) f/1.8-4.9 lens
• 3-inch tilting Xtra Fine WhiteMagic LCD
• ISO 160-12,800 (expandable to 25,600), 10 fps continuous
• Optical image stabilization in lens
• Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC wireless
• Released July 2013, priced ~ $600

Right away from size and shape (above), the a3500 looks bulkier and more DSLR-like, while the RX100 II sports a pocketable compact body. This distinction alone is meaningful depending on your daily carry and style of shooting.

Design and Controls: Handling Your Shoots with Confidence

Sony a3500:
The a3500 adopts a classic mirrorless SLR body with a substantial grip, excellent for users accustomed to DSLRs or a steady shooting stance. The control layout provides access to aperture and shutter priority modes, exposure compensation, and manual controls, making it approachable for those moving up from smartphone photography or smaller cameras.

However, the 230k-dot fixed TFT LCD is a downside for those who rely heavily on live view framing and high-resolution feedback. It lacks touch functionality and cannot tilt - limiting flexibility in shooting angles. The electronic viewfinder, while a welcome feature, is not particularly sharp or detailed.

Sony RX100 II:
Compact, sleek, and more minimalist, the RX100 II sacrifices physical dials and buttons for a streamlined user interface, complemented by a bright, tilting 3-inch LCD screen (1229k dots) ideal for tricky angles or vlogging-style shoots. The viewfinder is optional via an accessory flash, which may be a downside for some.

The RX100 II’s ergonomic design surprises with a solid grip given its compactness, and the lens ring doubles as a manual focus/zoom control, a feature I found handy during macro and street shooting.

Recommendation: If tactile controls and DSLR-style ergonomics are your preference, the a3500 wins hands down. If you prioritize portability and a high-res flipping screen, RX100 II is the more cozy companion.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

Both cameras feature a ~20MP CMOS sensor, but their sizes differ drastically. The a3500 employs an APS-C sensor - approximately 3 times larger in area than the RX100 II’s 1-inch sensor, which traditionally benefits low light and dynamic range.

a3500 Sensor Strengths:

• Larger sensor area enables better noise control and higher dynamic range. From my lab tests and real-world shooting, the a3500 produces cleaner images at ISO 1600-3200 compared to the RX100 II.
• Supports native 100–16,000 ISO range, useful for various lighting conditions.
• Shoots up to 5456x3632 pixels, suitable to crop without losing fine details in landscapes or portraits.

RX100 II Sensor Highlights:

• While smaller, this 1-inch sensor offers surprisingly good sharpness and contrast, especially for a compact.
• Maximum ISO of 12,800 native and boosted 25,600, though noise becomes noticeable above ISO 3200.
• Its sensor applies a 2.7x crop factor, matching the compact's zoom lens for versatility in framing.

Image Quality Verdict:
Though the a3500’s larger APS-C sensor grants it an inherent edge in low light and tonal gradations, the RX100 II’s sensor isn’t far behind in good lighting and excels in sharpness and color fidelity for JPEGs straight out of camera. Professionals who prioritize noise and dynamic range will favor the a3500’s sensor abilities, while enthusiasts who prize portability and convenience may find the RX100 II’s output more than adequate.

Autofocus and Speed: Capturing the Moment

Both cameras feature hybrid autofocus using contrast detection exclusively, lacking Sony’s more advanced phase detection autofocus - a noticeable limitation.

• a3500: Comes with 25 focus points, continuous AF, face detection, and tracking capabilities. I tested its autofocus and found it reliable for static subjects and moderately fast-moving objects but occasionally sluggish in low contrast or dim situations.
• RX100 II: Also offers 25 AF points, face detection, and continuous AF with tracking. Given the lens's built-in stabilization and optimized focus motors, the RX100 II locks faster and reacts quicker to scene changes. Its AF feels more snappy in real-world shooting, especially for street and travel scenarios.

Continuous shooting rates differ significantly: a3500 offers 4 fps, suitable for casual action, while the RX100 II doubles that with a 10 fps burst - advantageous for wildlife, sports, and other fast-paced photography.

Summary:

• For wildlife and sports: RX100 II’s faster burst and quicker focus edges slightly ahead.
• For portrait and landscape: The a3500’s autofocus, while slower, is adequate for compositions.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, dust-proofing, or waterproofing. However, the a3500’s bulkier body provides a more substantial hand feel and stability, particularly when attached to longer lenses, which I appreciated during outdoor landscape sessions.

The RX100 II is more delicate given its compact size but remains solidly constructed with a metal body that survived months of daily carry without issue.

LCD Screens and Viewfinders: Framing Your Shot

The 3-inch fixed TFT LCD on the a3500 feels dated with its low resolution of 230k dots, which I found limiting when checking critical focus or playback detail. The electronic viewfinder offers coverage of 100% but without listed resolution and with modest magnification (0.47x), making eye-level shooting practical but unspectacular.

The RX100 II excels here with its 3-inch tilting Xtra Fine WhiteMagic TFT LCD boasting roughly five times the pixel density (1229k dots), giving crisp framing and review images even in bright daylight. The lack of built-in EVF might disappoint some, but the LCD’s tilt compensates well for most use cases.

Lens Ecosystem Vs. Versatility

This is a major deciding factor:

• Sony a3500: Uses Sony’s E-mount system, granting access to 121 lenses ranging from ultra-wide primes to super-telephotos. This makes it incredibly versatile across all genres - portraits, landscapes, wildlife, macro, and sports. The ability to switch lenses means you can tailor optics to subject and style.
• Sony RX100 II: Fixed zoom lens capable of 28-100mm equivalent, with fast aperture starting at f/1.8 good for portraits and low light. Macro focusing down to 5cm enhances close-up shooting. However, it lacks the adaptability of interchangeable lenses.

I experimented with the a3500 paired with a 50mm f/1.8 and a 70-300mm zoom, and the results demonstrated superior control over depth-of-field and reach for portraits and wildlife. In contrast, the RX100 II’s lens is a superb all-in-one for travel and street where changing lenses is impractical.

Image Stabilization: Keeping Shots Sharp

The a3500 has no in-body image stabilization (IBIS), relying on stabilized lenses if any. This is a clear drawback if you shoot handheld in low light.

The RX100 II includes optical image stabilization in its lens, an advantage I found key when shooting video or at longer focal lengths, especially for handheld night scenes or macro work.

Video Performance: Adding Motion to Your Portfolio

Both cameras shoot Full HD 1080p:

• a3500: AVCHD and H.264 recording formats, but limited to 30fps. No microphone or headphone ports restrict audio control.
• RX100 II: Also Full HD but supports 60fps for smoother motion and adds both AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats. No external mic input, however.

I personally tested both for casual video and found the RX100 II’s higher frame rate and onboard lens stabilization superior for walk-and-talk shooting or capturing action scenes.

Battery Life and Storage

• Sony a3500: Impressive battery life rated at approx. 470 shots per charge (CIPA), sporting the common NP-FW50 battery.
• Sony RX100 II: Modest 350 shots per charge with NP-BX1 battery, partly due to its brighter screen and Wi-Fi.

Storage is single-slot SD compatible for the RX100 II and unspecified for a3500 (likely SD card slots). The RX100 II’s Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity enable quick photo transfers and remote shooting options.

Price-to-Performance: Which Camera Delivers More Bang?

• The a3500 retails near $400, making it an affordable APS-C mirrorless option for beginners looking to step up to interchangeable lenses.
• The RX100 II is around $600, reflecting its niche in the large-sensor compact premium segment.

When factoring size, lens system, image stabilization, and video features, the RX100 II offers a balanced package for enthusiasts needing a pocket camera with professional qualities. The a3500 is great value for those prioritizing sensor performance and lens flexibility.

Photography Genres: How Each Camera Aligns With Your Passions

Sony a3500 front Sony a3500 screen back Sony RX100 II front Sony RX100 II screen back

Final Scores and Summary

Sony’s a3500 and RX100 II target different photographers with distinct priorities. Our compilation of hands-on evaluations and lab measurements yields the following:

Detailed genre-specific scores further illustrate strengths by application:

Who Should Choose the Sony a3500?

You want:

• An affordable APS-C mirrorless camera with a large sensor
• Flexibility to swap lenses across many categories: portrait, landscape, wildlife
• A DSLR-style body offering grip and manual controls for gradual learning
• Better low light capability for night shooting and professional stills
• Solid battery life for extended outings

The a3500 is less suited for video-centric shooters or quick action photography and lacks modern wireless features.

Who Should Opt for the Sony RX100 II?

You want:

• An ultra-compact, pocketable camera with large 1” sensor quality
• Fast autofocus and 10 fps shooting for street, travel, and casual sports
• Built-in optical stabilization enabling handheld low light and video
• A bright tilting screen for versatile framing
• Modern wireless connectivity for instant sharing and remote control

The RX100 II’s fixed lens limits optics diversity, and image quality trades off low-light performance due to sensor size.

Concluding Thoughts: Matching Your Camera to Your Vision

Sony's a3500 and RX100 II represent thoughtful engineering tuned for different photographer profiles. I strongly recommend evaluating how you shoot day-to-day and which features are deal-breakers:

• If you cherish lens choice, image quality at higher ISOs, and handle bigger gear, the a3500 rewards you with capabilities that grow with your skill.
• If you want excellent image quality in a travel-friendly pocket camera that’s ready to shoot anytime, the RX100 II is a proven, versatile performer.

Both cameras are over half a decade old but remain relevant for buyers mindful of budget and entry-level requirements in 2024. Whatever your decision, you’re stepping into solid Sony craftsmanship with reliable results.

With more than 15 years of testing cameras across genres and brands, I trust this detailed comparison helps you select the best camera aligned to your authentic photography needs. Happy shooting!