Sony a55 vs Sony a3500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a55 and Sony a3500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony a55 were released 2010 and Sony a3500 was released 2014. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a55 2010
Sony a3500 2014

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Sony APS-C") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a55 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Sony a3500 75 mm
Sony APS-C 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)

Resolution

Sony a55 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a3500 has 20 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a55 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264
Sony a3500 20 MP
19816192 pixels
5456 x 3632

Sony a3500 has a 24 % larger resolution than Sony a55. 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 Sony a55. Sony a3500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 16000 while Sony a55 has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a55 100-12800
Sony a3500 100-16000

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 a55
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a3500

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a55 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Sony a3500 can shoot up to 3,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a55 10
Sony a3500 3,5

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Sony a55 and Sony a3500 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 a55 weighs 500 gr (equal to 1.1 lb) which is 22% heavier than Sony a3500 and its 411 gr (or 0.91 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a55 500 gr
1.1 lb
Sony a3500 411 gr
0.91 lb

Sony a55 vs Sony a3500 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a55 and Sony a3500, 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 a55
Sony a3500
Name Sony a55 Sony a3500
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a55
Sony a3500
Release Year 2010 2014
Release Date 2010-08-24 2014-03-21
MSRP 749 USD 399 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a55
Sony a3500
Camera Type SLT Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a55
Sony a3500
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 5456 x 3632 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 20 MP
Image Processor Bionz Bionz
Image
Sony a55
Sony a3500
ISO Range 100 - 12800 100 - 16000
White Balance Presets 6 9
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Yes
(Optical)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a55
Sony a3500
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 15 25
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Sony E

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
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
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a55
Sony a3500
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 921000 230400
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.1× (0.73× 35mm equiv.) 0.7× (0.47× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a55
Sony a3500
Frames per second 10 fps 3,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 10 meters 6 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a55
Sony a3500
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
H.264
AVCHD
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Sony a55
Sony a3500
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a55
Sony a3500
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
No
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (via optional RM-VPR1)
GPS Yes
Built-in
No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a55
Sony a3500
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FW50 battery & charger
NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and USB charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 380 shots 480 shots
Width 124 mm 128 mm
Height 92 mm 91 mm
Depth 85 mm 85 mm
Weight 500 gram 411 gram