Sony A7S vs Nikon D3500

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Sony A7S vs Nikon D3500

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35mm 847.3mm²
12.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 102,400

Go in depth with our full Sony A7S Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7S in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7S.
Compare Sony A7S image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7S 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.

Succeeded by the Sony A7S II
Compare A7S vs A7S II
Compare Sony A7S II vs Nikon D3500

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Differences

Sony A7S 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.
Bigger pixels
~ 8.40 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Thinner
48 mm vs 69 mm
Thinner
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More viewfinder magnification
0.71x vs 0.57x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bigger RAW buffer
39 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
409600 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon D3500 advantages over Sony A7S

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$597 vs $1998*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 2.0 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 380 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Newer
6 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More pixels
24.2 vs 12.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 62 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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 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
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A7S User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3500 User Reviews

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Sony a7S

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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

All D3500 Deals

Review Excerpt

Outstanding high ISO performance; excellent dynamic range; 4K video recording (via uncompressed HDMI); XAVC S option for HD video; Slightly improved battery life over A7/A7R; Built-in Wi-Fi & NFC connectivity.
4K video requires expensive external recorder; Sluggish startup time; Loud shutter; Silent Shooting mode hurts image quality; Lacks a built-in, pop-up flash; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses.
Read our Sony A7S 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 Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Sony A7S

Leica M-E (Typ 220)

$1998
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

$7999
35mm

Thinner
More pixels

Compare Sony A7S vs Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Nikon D3500

Leica M-E (Typ 220)

$623
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$7999
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Compared to Sony A7S II

Sony A7S

Sony A7S II

$1998
35mm

Less expensive
Fast startup

$2398
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony A7S vs Sony A7S II

Nikon D3500

Sony A7S II

$623
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$2398
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Sony A7S II

Compared to Leica M (Typ 262)

Sony A7S

Leica M (Typ 262)

$1998
35mm

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$4995
35mm

More pixels
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Sony A7S vs Leica M (Typ 262)

Nikon D3500

Leica M (Typ 262)

$623
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$4995
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Leica M (Typ 262)

Compared to Canon SL2

Sony A7S

Canon SL2

$1998
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A7S vs Canon SL2

Nikon D3500

Canon SL2

$623
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon SL2

Compared to Canon SL3

Sony A7S

Canon SL3

$1998
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$632
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A7S vs Canon SL3

Nikon D3500

Canon SL3

$623
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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