Sony a7 II vs Sony a3500
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7 II and Sony a3500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.
These two camera models were both released 2014.Camera | Released |
Sony a7 II | 2014 |
Sony a3500 | 2014 |
Type of camera
Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Sony a7 II has a "Sony Full Frame"-sensor while Sony a3500 has a "Sony APS-C"-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 a7 II | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
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 a7 II has a 24 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 a7 II |
24 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
Sony a3500 |
20 MP
19816192 pixels 5456 x 3632 |
Sony a7 II has a 21 % 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
Sony a7 II has a larger ISO-range than Sony a3500. Sony a7 II has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Sony a3500 has 100 to 16000.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a7 II | 100-25600 |
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 a7 II
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 a7 II can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Sony a3500 can shoot up to 3,5 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a7 II | 5 |
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 a7 II 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 a7 II weighs 599 gr (equal to 1.32 lb) which is 46% heavier than Sony a3500 and its 411 gr (or 0.91 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a7 II | 599 gr 1.32 lb |
Sony a3500 | 411 gr 0.91 lb |
Sony a7 II vs Sony a3500 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7 II 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 a7 II |
Sony a3500 |
Name | Sony a7 II | Sony a3500 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Sony |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a7 II |
Sony a3500 |
Release Year | 2014 | 2014 |
Release Date | 2014-11-20 | 2014-03-21 |
MSRP | 1699 USD | 399 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a7 II |
Sony a3500 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
Sensor |
Sony a7 II |
Sony a3500 |
Sensor Size | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) | APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) |
Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 6000 x 4000 pixels | 5456 x 3632 pixels |
Megapixels | 24 MP | 20 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz X | Bionz |
Image |
Sony a7 II |
Sony a3500 |
ISO Range | 100 - 25600 | 100 - 16000 |
White Balance Presets | 10 | 9 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-Shift) |
Yes (Optical) |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 4.5 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a7 II |
Sony a3500 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center 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 | 117 | 25 |
Lens Mount |
Sony E See Compatible Lenses |
Sony E See Compatible Lenses |
Focal Length Multiplier |
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 |
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 a7 II |
Sony a3500 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Fixed |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 1230000 | 230400 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | Xtra Fine LCD | TFT LCD |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.71x | 0.7× (0.47× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a7 II |
Sony a3500 |
Frames per second | 5 fps | 3,5 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | No | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | N/A | 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 | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a7 II |
Sony a3500 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 XAVC-S 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 a7 II |
Sony a3500 |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a7 II |
Sony a3500 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | Yes | No |
Headphone Port | Yes | No |
Wireless |
Yes Built-in (with NFC and wireless control via PlayMemories Mobile app) |
No |
Remote Control | Yes (wired) |
Yes (via optional RM-VPR1)
|
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a7 II |
Sony a3500 |
Enviromentally sealed | No | No |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger
|
NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and USB charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 350 shots | 480 shots |
Width | 127 mm | 128 mm |
Height | 96 mm | 91 mm |
Depth | 60 mm | 85 mm |
Weight | 599 gram | 411 gram |