Sony a35 vs Nikon D500
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a35 and Nikon D500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a35 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D500 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a35 were released 2011 and Nikon D500 was released 2016. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a35 | 2011 |
Nikon D500 | 2016 |
Type of camera
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Sony a35 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D500 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.
Camera | Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 ** |
Sony a35 | 75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
Nikon D500 | 75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"
Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)
Resolution
Sony a35 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D500 has 21 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Sony a35 |
16 MP
16032768 pixels 4912 x 3264 |
Nikon D500 |
21 MP
20668416 pixels 5568 x 3712 |
Nikon D500 has a 29 % larger resolution than Sony a35. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.
ISO range
Nikon D500 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a35. Nikon D500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Sony a35 has 100 to 25600.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a35 | 100-25600 |
Nikon D500 | 100-51200 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.
Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a35
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D500
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a35 can shoot up to 5,5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D500 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a35 | 5,5 |
Nikon D500 | 10 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Sony a35 and Nikon D500 can shoot movies.
Weight
The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.
Nikon D500 weighs 860 gr (equal to 1.9 lb) which is 107% heavier than Sony a35 and its 415 gr (or 0.91 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a35 | 415 gr 0.91 lb |
Nikon D500 | 860 gr 1.9 lb |
Sony a35 vs Nikon D500 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a35 and Nikon D500, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.
Product |
Sony a35 |
Nikon D500 |
Name | Sony a35 | Nikon D500 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a35 |
Nikon D500 |
Release Year | 2011 | 2016 |
Release Date | 2011-06-08 | 2016-01-05 |
MSRP | 599 USD | 1999 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a35 |
Nikon D500 |
Camera Type | SLT | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a35 |
Nikon D500 |
Sensor Size | APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) |
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX" |
Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 4912 x 3264 pixels | 5568 x 3712 pixels |
Megapixels | 16 MP | 21 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz | EXPEED 5 |
Image |
Sony a35 |
Nikon D500 |
ISO Range | 100 - 25600 | 100 - 51200 |
White Balance Presets | 6 | 12 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-Shift) |
No |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW + TIFF |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a35 |
Nikon D500 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 15 | 153 |
Lens Mount |
Sony A See Compatible Lenses |
Nikon F See Compatible Lenses |
Focal Length Multiplier |
APS-C Sensor (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm |
DX / APS-C (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Sony a35 |
Nikon D500 |
Articulated LCD | Fixed | Tilting |
Screen size | 3” | 3.2” |
Screen dots | 921000 | 2359000 |
Touch screen | No | Yes |
Screen type | N/A | TFT LCD |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 1.1× (0.73× 35mm equiv.) | 1× (0.67× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | 0 |
Photography features |
Sony a35 |
Nikon D500 |
Frames per second | 5,5 fps | 10 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | Yes | No |
Built-in Flash Range | 12 meters | N/A |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | Yes |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Highlight Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a35 |
Nikon D500 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 H.264 AVCHD |
MPEG4 H.264 |
Video resolution |
1440 x 1080 1920 x 1080 |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | No | Yes |
Storage |
Sony a35 |
Nikon D500 |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC XQD |
Connectivity |
Sony a35 |
Nikon D500 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | Yes |
Headphone Port | No | Yes |
Wireless | No |
Yes Built-in (Wi-Fi with low energy Bluetooth) |
Remote Control | Yes (Optional) | Yes (Optional, wired or wireless) |
GPS | No |
Yes Optional with GP-1 |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a35 |
Nikon D500 |
Enviromentally sealed | No | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Rechargeable NP-FW50 battery & charger
|
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 440 shots | 1240 shots |
Width | 124 mm | 147 mm |
Height | 92 mm | 115 mm |
Depth | 85 mm | 81 mm |
Weight | 415 gram | 860 gram |