Sony a3500 vs Nikon D3

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a3500 and Nikon D3. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a3500 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D3 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a3500 were released 2014 and Nikon D3 was released 2007. That is a 7 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a3500 2014
Nikon D3 2007

Type of camera

Sony a3500 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D3 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a3500 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D3 has a "Nikon FX"-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 a3500 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D3 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** 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 a3500 has a 20 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3 has 12,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a3500 20 MP
19816192 pixels
5456 x 3632
Nikon D3 12,1 MP
12052992 pixels
4256 x 2832

Sony a3500 has a 64 % larger resolution than Nikon D3. 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 D3 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a3500. Nikon D3 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 25600 while Sony a3500 has 100 to 16000.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a3500 100-16000
Nikon D3 200-25600

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 a3500
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a3500 can shoot up to 3,5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a3500 3,5
Nikon D3 9

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Sony a3500. Unfortunately Nikon D3 does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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 D3 weighs 1300 gr (equal to 2.87 lb) which is 216% heavier than Sony a3500 and its 411 gr (or 0.91 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a3500 411 gr
0.91 lb
Nikon D3 1300 gr
2.87 lb

Sony a3500 vs Nikon D3 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a3500 and Nikon D3, 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 a3500
Nikon D3
Name Sony a3500 Nikon D3
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a3500
Nikon D3
Release Year 2014 2007
Release Date 2014-03-21 2007-08-23
MSRP 399 USD 4999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a3500
Nikon D3
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony a3500
Nikon D3
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5456 x 3632 pixels 4256 x 2832 pixels
Megapixels 20 MP 12,1 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED
Image
Sony a3500
Nikon D3
ISO Range 100 - 16000 200 - 25600
White Balance Presets 9 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Optical)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a3500
Nikon D3
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Focus Points 25 51
Lens Mount Sony E

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
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a3500
Nikon D3
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 230400 922000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT LCD N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× (0.47× 35mm equiv.) 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a3500
Nikon D3
Frames per second 3,5 fps 9 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 6 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a3500
Nikon D3
Video recording Yes No
Video format H.264
AVCHD
N/A
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Sony a3500
Nikon D3
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony a3500
Nikon D3
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (via optional RM-VPR1)
Yes
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Sony a3500
Nikon D3
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and USB charger
EN-EL4a rechargeable Li-ion battery
Battery Life (CIPA) 480 shots 4300 shots
Width 128 mm 160 mm
Height 91 mm 157 mm
Depth 85 mm 88 mm
Weight 411 gram 1300 gram