Sony a9 vs Sony a3500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a9 and Sony a3500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony a9 were released 2017 and Sony a3500 was released 2014. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a9 2017
Sony a3500 2014

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a9 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 a9 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 a9 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 a9 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Sony a3500 20 MP
19816192 pixels
5456 x 3632

Sony a9 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 a9 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a3500. Sony a9 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Sony a3500 has 100 to 16000.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a9 100-51200
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 a9
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 a9 can shoot up to 20 pictures per seconds and Sony a3500 can shoot up to 3,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a9 20
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 a9 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 a9 weighs 673 gr (equal to 1.48 lb) which is 64% heavier than Sony a3500 and its 411 gr (or 0.91 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a9 673 gr
1.48 lb
Sony a3500 411 gr
0.91 lb

Sony a9 vs Sony a3500 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a9 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 a9
Sony a3500
Name Sony a9 Sony a3500
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a9
Sony a3500
Release Year 2017 2014
Release Date 2017-04-19 2014-03-21
MSRP 4499 USD 399 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a9
Sony a3500
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a9
Sony a3500
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type Stacked CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 5456 x 3632 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 20 MP
Image Processor Bionz X Bionz
Image
Sony a9
Sony a3500
ISO Range 100 - 51200 100 - 16000
White Balance Presets 10 9
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift (5-axis))
Yes
(Optical)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a9
Sony a3500
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 693 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 a9
Sony a3500
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1440000 230400
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.78x 0.7× (0.47× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 3686400 N/A
Photography features
Sony a9
Sony a3500
Frames per second 20 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
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a9
Sony a3500
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
H.264
AVCHD
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a9
Sony a3500
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a9
Sony a3500
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11/b/g/n with NFC)
No
Remote Control Yes (Wired or wireless) Yes (via optional RM-VPR1)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a9
Sony a3500
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FZ100
NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and USB charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 650 shots 480 shots
Width 127 mm 128 mm
Height 96 mm 91 mm
Depth 63 mm 85 mm
Weight 673 gram 411 gram