Sony a3500 vs Nikon Z30
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a3500 and Nikon Z30. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a3500 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon Z30 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a3500 were released 2014 and Nikon Z30 was released 2022. That is a 8 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a3500 | 2014 |
Nikon Z30 | 2022 |
Type of camera
Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Sony a3500 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon Z30 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 a3500 | 75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
Nikon Z30 | 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 a3500 has a 20 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon Z30 has 21 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 Z30 |
21 MP
20668416 pixels 5568 x 3712 |
Nikon Z30 has a 4 % larger resolution than Sony a3500. 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 Z30 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a3500. Nikon Z30 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Sony a3500 has 100 to 16000.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a3500 | 100-16000 |
Nikon Z30 | 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 a3500
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon Z30
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 Z30 can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a3500 | 3,5 |
Nikon Z30 | 11 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Sony a3500 and Nikon Z30 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.
Sony a3500 weighs 411 gr (equal to 0.91 lb) which is 1% heavier than Nikon Z30 and its 405 gr (or 0.89 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a3500 | 411 gr 0.91 lb |
Nikon Z30 | 405 gr 0.89 lb |
Sony a3500 vs Nikon Z30 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a3500 and Nikon Z30, 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 Z30 |
Name | Sony a3500 | Nikon Z30 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a3500 |
Nikon Z30 |
Release Year | 2014 | 2022 |
Release Date | 2014-03-21 | 2022-06-29 |
MSRP | 399 USD | 710 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a3500 |
Nikon Z30 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
Sensor |
Sony a3500 |
Nikon Z30 |
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 | 5456 x 3632 pixels | 5568 x 3712 pixels |
Megapixels | 20 MP | 21 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz | EXPEED 6 |
Image |
Sony a3500 |
Nikon Z30 |
ISO Range | 100 - 16000 | 100 - 51200 |
White Balance Presets | 9 | 0 |
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 Z30 |
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 Touch Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 25 | 209 |
Lens Mount |
Sony E See Compatible Lenses |
Nikon Z 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 a3500 |
Nikon Z30 |
Articulated LCD | Fixed | Fully articulated |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 230400 | 1040000 |
Touch screen | No | Yes |
Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | No Viewfinder |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.7× (0.47× 35mm equiv.) | |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | 0 |
Photography features |
Sony a3500 |
Nikon Z30 |
Frames per second | 3,5 fps | 11 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 | Yes |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Highlight Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a3500 |
Nikon Z30 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
H.264 AVCHD |
MPEG4 H.264 |
Video resolution |
1920 x 1080 |
1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Sony a3500 |
Nikon Z30 |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a3500 |
Nikon Z30 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | Yes |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless | No |
Yes Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth) |
Remote Control |
Yes (via optional RM-VPR1)
|
Yes (via smartphone) |
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a3500 |
Nikon Z30 |
Enviromentally sealed | No | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and USB charger
|
EN-EL25 lithium-ion battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 480 shots | 330 shots |
Width | 128 mm | 128 mm |
Height | 91 mm | 74 mm |
Depth | 85 mm | 60 mm |
Weight | 411 gram | 405 gram |