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Sony a3500 vs Sony RX1R

Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
54
Overall
59
Sony Alpha a3500 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R front
Portability
79
Imaging
70
Features
58
Overall
65

Sony a3500 vs Sony RX1R Key Specs

Sony a3500
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
  • Launched March 2014
  • Old Model is Sony A3000
Sony RX1R
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F2.0) lens
  • 482g - 113 x 65 x 70mm
  • Launched June 2013
  • Newer Model is Sony RX1R II
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Sony a3500 vs Sony RX1R Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Sony a3500 versus Sony RX1R, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Large Sensor Compact and both are sold by Sony. The resolution of the a3500 (20MP) and the RX1R (24MP) is very well matched but the a3500 (APS-C) and RX1R (Full frame) provide different sensor sizing.

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The a3500 was brought out 9 months after the RX1R so they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Sony a3500 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony RX1R being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief view of how the a3500 grades vs the RX1R when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony a3500 over the Sony RX1R

 a3500 RX1R 
LaunchedMarch 2014June 2013More modern by 9 months

Reasons to pick Sony RX1R over the Sony a3500

 RX1R a3500 
Display resolution1229k230kSharper display (+999k dot)

Common features in the Sony a3500 and Sony RX1R

 a3500 RX1R 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Sony a3500 vs Sony RX1R Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Sony a3500 offers exterior measurements of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs) whilst the Sony RX1R has dimensions of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") along with a weight of 482 grams (1.06 lbs).

Analyze the Sony a3500 versus Sony RX1R in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the a3500 and the RX1R.

Sony a3500 vs Sony RX1R size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the a3500 and RX1R is 69 and 79 respectively.

Sony a3500 vs Sony RX1R top view buttons comparison

Sony a3500 vs Sony RX1R Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to picture the gap between sensor sizes merely by reading through specs. The image here will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the a3500 and RX1R.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The a3500 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF tougher and the Sony RX1R will resolve more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The fresher a3500 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony a3500 vs Sony RX1R sensor size comparison

Sony a3500 vs Sony RX1R Screen and ViewFinder

Sony a3500 vs Sony RX1R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony a3500 Portrait photography details
Sony RX1R Portrait photography details
77
has manual focus
decent MP (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW files
82
you can focus manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/4,000 seconds)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony a3500 as a Street photography camera
Sony RX1R as a Street photography camera
57
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competitors (411g)
66
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
great ISO range (25,600)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (482g)
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Sports Comparison

Sony a3500 Sports photography info
Sony RX1R Sports photography info
60
decent MP (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
better than average battery (470 shots)
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
53
good megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
can't change focal length (35mm)
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low battery (270 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony a3500 Travel photography info
Sony RX1R Travel photography info
60
better than average battery (470 per charge)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors (411 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
62
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
does not have Time Lapse function
low battery (270 shots)
heavier than competition in class (482g)
display isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony a3500
Landscape photography with Sony RX1R
70
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
decent MP (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (470 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse recording
66
you can focus manually
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
good sized screen (3 inches)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
great ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
low battery (270 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony a3500 Vlogging advice
Sony RX1R Vlogging advice
26
offers face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
missing mic jack
heavier than competitors (411g)
34
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
comes with face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic support
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (482 grams)
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Sony a3500 vs Sony RX1R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony a3500 and Sony RX1R
 Sony Alpha a3500Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha a3500 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-03-21 2013-06-26
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip BIONZ image -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5456 x 3632 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 16000 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 25 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35mm (1x)
Max aperture - f/2.0
Total lenses 121 -
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT LCD Xtra FineTFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic and Optical (optional)
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 4.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100) 6.00 m
Flash modes Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync. Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 25, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 411 gr (0.91 lb) 482 gr (1.06 lb)
Physical dimensions 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") 113 x 65 x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 91
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.6
DXO Low light score not tested 2537
Other
Battery life 470 shots 270 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FW50 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $398 $2,798