Sony A9 vs Nikon D3500

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Sony A9 vs Nikon D3500

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35mm 847.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Sony A9 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A9 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A9.
Compare Sony A9 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A9 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 A9 II
Compare A9 vs A9 II
Compare Sony A9 II vs Nikon D3500

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Differences

Sony A9 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
~ 5.93 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
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
105 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
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
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
Faster JPEG shooting
20.0 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
364 vs 100 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
20.0 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
240 vs 13 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon D3500 advantages over Sony A9

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$597 vs $2995*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 1.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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 650 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos

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

Amazon
Adorama
Read A9 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3500 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A9

Body Only

All A9 Deals

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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

New sensor offers incredible performance; Excellent image quality at low & high ISOs; Very good dynamic range; Phenomenal 20fps burst speed & deep buffer; Very good battery life for a mirrorless; 4K video; Dual card slots.
Slow buffer clearing; Only one card slot is UHS-II compatible; Touchscreen underutilized; No lossless RAW compression option; No 4K/60p option.
Read our Sony A9 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 SL (Typ 601)

Sony A9

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$2997
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3802
35mm

Built-in GPS
Top deck display

Compare Sony A9 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Nikon D3500

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$709
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$3802
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Compared to Canon SL2

Sony A9

Canon SL2

$2997
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A9 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 Sony A7R III

Sony A9

Sony A7R III

$2997
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$2151
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

Compare Sony A9 vs Sony A7R III

Nikon D3500

Sony A7R III

$709
APS-C

Less expensive
Lens selection

$2151
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Sony A7R III

Compared to Canon SL3

Sony A9

Canon SL3

$2997
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$632
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A9 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 A9 II

Sony A9

Sony A9 II

$2997
35mm

Less expensive

$4498
35mm

Newer

Compare Sony A9 vs Sony A9 II

Nikon D3500

Sony A9 II

$709
APS-C

Less expensive
Lens selection

$4498
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Sony A9 II

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