Sony A3000 vs Nikon D3500

Cameras
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Sony A3000 vs Nikon D3500

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APS-C 357.3mm²
20.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A3000 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A3000 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A3000.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A3000 conclusion.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3500 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D3500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D3500.
Compare Nikon D3500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D3500 conclusion.

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Differences

Sony A3000 advantages over Nikon D3500

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Nikon D3500 advantages over Sony A3000

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 2.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1550 vs 470 shots
Capture more photos
Newer
6 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Higher-res screen
307k vs 77k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More viewfinder magnification
0.57x vs 0.47x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
5.1 fps vs 3.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 11 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 16000 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A3000 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3500 User Reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A3000

Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All A3000 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D3500

Kit with 18-55mm VR lens

Kit with 18-55mm VR lens
Kit with 18-55mm VR and 70-300mm lenses

All D3500 Deals

Review Excerpt

Absolutely incredible value; Includes a stabilized kit lens; More versatile than a fixed-lens bridge camera; Comfortable body with good ergonomics; Great image quality; Good autofocus performance; Decent battery life.
Feels a bit plasticky; Slow burst shooting with limited buffer; Sluggish to power on or switch modes; Low-res EVF and LCD monitor; Can't review images using EVF; No video output; Weak flash; Battery charges in-camera.
Read our Sony A3000 Review

Great image quality for its class; Excellent high ISO performance for APS-C; Fast single-shot AF speeds; Compact, easy to use design; Incredible value at under $500 with lens.
11-point AF system feels out-dated; Underwhelming C-AF performance; Below average viewfinder coverage accuracy; No touchscreen; Limited wireless features.
Read our Nikon D3500 Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-01

Sony A3000

Pentax K-01

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

$359
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony A3000 vs Pentax K-01

Nikon D3500

Pentax K-01

$709
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

$359
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-01

Compared to Sigma sd Quattro

Sony A3000

Sigma sd Quattro

$598
APS-C

Lens selection
In-camera panoramas

$699
APS-C

On-sensor phase detect
HDMI out

Compare Sony A3000 vs Sigma sd Quattro

Nikon D3500

Sigma sd Quattro

$709
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Sigma sd Quattro

Compared to Canon EOS M5

Sony A3000

Canon EOS M5

$598
APS-C

Lens selection
In-camera panoramas

$787
APS-C

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony A3000 vs Canon EOS M5

Nikon D3500

Canon EOS M5

$709
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$787
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon EOS M5

Compared to Canon SL2

Sony A3000

Canon SL2

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

Compare Sony A3000 vs Canon SL2

Nikon D3500

Canon SL2

$709
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon SL2

Compared to Canon SL3

Sony A3000

Canon SL3

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

$632
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

Compare Sony A3000 vs Canon SL3

Nikon D3500

Canon SL3

$709
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$632
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon SL3

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