• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 42.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony A7R III advantages over Nikon D3500

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.51 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Longer video battery life
    100 vs 75 minutes
    Capture more video
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.78x vs 0.57x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    42.4 vs 24.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.9 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.2 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    30 vs 13 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon D3500 advantages over Sony A7R III

  • Less expensive
    $597 vs $1805
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 1.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1550 vs 650 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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 panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

Buy From

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  • Body Only
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  • Kit with 24-70mm f/4 lens
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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
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Review Excerpt

  • Fantastic image quality; Improved dynamic range over its predecessor; Very good high ISO performance; Much improved real-world AF performance; Class-leading burst rates, even with RAW; Improved 5-axis in-body image stabilization; Better 4K video quality; 1080/120fps video; Dual card slots; Significantly better battery life.

  • Expensive; Menus still confusing; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash; Buffer clearing still slow despite UHS-II support.

  • Read our Sony A7R III 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 Sony A7R II

Sony A7R III
Sony A7R II
  • $2151
  • 35mm
  • Touchscreen
  • High resolution composite
  • $2348
  • 35mm
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony A7R III vs Sony A7R II

Nikon D3500
Sony A7R II
  • $709
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $2348
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Sony A7R II

Compared to Canon SL2

Sony A7R III
Canon SL2
  • $2151
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A7R III 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 A7R III
Canon SL3
  • $2151
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $632
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A7R III 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

Compared to Sony A7R IV

Sony A7R III
Sony A7R IV
  • $2151
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $3120
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More pixels

Compare Sony A7R III vs Sony A7R IV

Nikon D3500
Sony A7R IV
  • $709
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection
  • $3120
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Sony A7R IV

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Sony A7R III
Nikon Z7 II
  • $2151
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite
  • $2330
  • 35mm
  • Top deck display
  • Newer

Compare Sony A7R III vs Nikon Z7 II

Nikon D3500
Nikon Z7 II
  • $709
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $2330
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Nikon Z7 II

Compare Other Cameras?