Sony a3500 vs Sony RX100 III
69 Imaging
62 Features
54 Overall
58


89 Imaging
51 Features
77 Overall
61
Sony a3500 vs Sony RX100 III 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
- Older Model is Sony A3000
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 125 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
- 290g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
- Released May 2014
- Earlier Model is Sony RX100 II
- Renewed by Sony RX100 IV

Sony a3500 vs Sony RX100 III Overview
Below is a thorough comparison of the Sony a3500 versus Sony RX100 III, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Large Sensor Compact and they are both created by Sony. The resolution of the a3500 (20MP) and the RX100 III (20MP) is fairly well matched but the a3500 (APS-C) and RX100 III (1") possess totally different sensor measurements.

The a3500 was released around the same time to the RX100 III so they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Sony a3500 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony RX100 III being a Large Sensor Compact camera.
Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a short summation of how the a3500 matches up vs the RX100 III in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Sony a3500 vs Sony RX100 III Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Sony Alpha a3500 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III. The complete galleries are provided at Sony a3500 Gallery & Sony RX100 III Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony a3500 over the Sony RX100 III
a3500 | RX100 III |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony RX100 III over the Sony a3500
RX100 III | a3500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 1229k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+999k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Sony a3500 and Sony RX100 III
a3500 | RX100 III | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | March 2014 | ![]() | May 2014 | Similar age |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display measurements |
Touch display | ![]() | Lack of Touch display |
Sony a3500 vs Sony RX100 III Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to lug around your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Sony a3500 provides physical dimensions of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") with a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs) whilst the Sony RX100 III has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") having a weight of 290 grams (0.64 lbs).
Check out the Sony a3500 versus Sony RX100 III in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use during that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the a3500 against the RX100 III.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the a3500 and RX100 III is 69 and 89 respectively.

Sony a3500 vs Sony RX100 III Sensor Comparison
More often than not, its tough to see the contrast between sensor measurements purely by reading through technical specs. The visual here should provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the a3500 and RX100 III.
As you have seen, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels but not the same sensor measurements. The a3500 uses the larger sensor which is going to make achieving shallow DOF easier.

Sony a3500 vs Sony RX100 III Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sony a3500 vs Sony RX100 III Specifications
Sony Alpha a3500 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Sony | Sony |
Model type | Sony Alpha a3500 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Large Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2014-03-21 | 2014-05-15 |
Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Large Sensor Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | BIONZ image | Bionz X |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | 1" |
Sensor dimensions | 23.5 x 15.6mm | 13.2 x 8.8mm |
Sensor surface area | 366.6mm² | 116.2mm² |
Sensor resolution | 20MP | 20MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 5456 x 3632 | 5472 x 3648 |
Maximum native ISO | 16000 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 25 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Sony E | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | - | 24-70mm (2.9x) |
Max aperture | - | f/1.8-2.8 |
Macro focusing range | - | 5cm |
Number of lenses | 121 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 2.7 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dots | 1,229 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 1,440 thousand dots |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.47x | 0.59x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 4.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100) | - |
Flash modes | Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync. | - |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/160 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/24p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p/24p/120p), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | AVCHD, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 411g (0.91 pounds) | 290g (0.64 pounds) |
Dimensions | 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") | 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 67 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.4 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 12.3 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 495 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 470 photographs | 320 photographs |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NP-FW50 | NP-BX1 |
Self timer | Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, self-portrait, continuous) |
Time lapse recording | With downloadable app | |
Storage type | - | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at launch | $398 | $748 |