Sony a3500 vs Nikon Df
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a3500 and Nikon Df. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a3500 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon Df is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a3500 were released 2014 and Nikon Df was released 2013. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a3500 | 2014 |
Nikon Df | 2013 |
Type of camera
Sony a3500 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon Df 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 Df 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 Df | 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 Df has 16 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 Df |
16 MP
16163840 pixels 4928 x 3280 |
Sony a3500 has a 23 % larger resolution than Nikon Df. 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
Sony a3500 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon Df. Sony a3500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 16000 while Nikon Df has 100 to 12800.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a3500 | 100-16000 |
Nikon Df | 100-12800 |
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 Df
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 Df can shoot up to 5,5 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a3500 | 3,5 |
Nikon Df | 5,5 |
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 Df 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 Df weighs 760 gr (equal to 1.68 lb) which is 85% heavier than Sony a3500 and its 411 gr (or 0.91 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a3500 | 411 gr 0.91 lb |
Nikon Df | 760 gr 1.68 lb |
Sony a3500 vs Nikon Df Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a3500 and Nikon Df, 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 Df |
Name | Sony a3500 | Nikon Df |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a3500 |
Nikon Df |
Release Year | 2014 | 2013 |
Release Date | 2014-03-21 | 2013-11-05 |
MSRP | 399 USD | 2749 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a3500 |
Nikon Df |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a3500 |
Nikon Df |
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 | 4928 x 3280 pixels |
Megapixels | 20 MP | 16 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz | EXPEED 3 |
Image |
Sony a3500 |
Nikon Df |
ISO Range | 100 - 16000 | 100 - 12800 |
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 + TIFF |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a3500 |
Nikon Df |
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 Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 25 | 39 |
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 Df |
Articulated LCD | Fixed | Fixed |
Screen size | 3” | 3,2” |
Screen dots | 230400 | 921000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
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 Df |
Frames per second | 3,5 fps | 5,5 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 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 | No |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) | +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a3500 |
Nikon Df |
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 Df |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a3500 |
Nikon Df |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | No |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless | No |
Yes Optional via WU-1a wireless mobile adapter |
Remote Control |
Yes (via optional RM-VPR1)
|
Yes (Cable release, wireless remote) |
GPS | No |
Yes Optional with GP-1 or GP-1A |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a3500 |
Nikon Df |
Enviromentally sealed | No | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and USB charger
|
EN-EL14/EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery and charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 480 shots | 1400 shots |
Width | 128 mm | 144 mm |
Height | 91 mm | 110 mm |
Depth | 85 mm | 67 mm |
Weight | 411 gram | 760 gram |