Sony a57 vs Sony a3500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a57 and Sony a3500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony a57 were released 2012 and Sony a3500 was released 2014. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a57 2012
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 a57 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 a57 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 a57 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 a57. 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

Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 100 to 16000.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a57 100-16000
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 a57
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 a57 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds and Sony a3500 can shoot up to 3,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a57 12
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 a57 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 a57 weighs 618 gr (equal to 1.36 lb) which is 50% heavier than Sony a3500 and its 411 gr (or 0.91 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a57 618 gr
1.36 lb
Sony a3500 411 gr
0.91 lb

Sony a57 vs Sony a3500 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a57 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 a57
Sony a3500
Name Sony a57 Sony a3500
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a57
Sony a3500
Release Year 2012 2014
Release Date 2012-03-13 2014-03-21
MSRP 699 USD 399 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a57
Sony a3500
Camera Type SLT Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a57
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 a57
Sony a3500
ISO Range 100 - 16000 100 - 16000
White Balance Presets 9 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 a57
Sony a3500
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
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 a57
Sony a3500
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 921000 230400
Touch screen No No
Screen type Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.04× (0.69× 35mm equiv.) 0.7× (0.47× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a57
Sony a3500
Frames per second 12 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 +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a57
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 Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a57
Sony a3500
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a57
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 No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a57
Sony a3500
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and USB charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 550 shots 480 shots
Width 132 mm 128 mm
Height 98 mm 91 mm
Depth 81 mm 85 mm
Weight 618 gram 411 gram