• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 42.4 megapixels
  • 35.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony RX1R II 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
    ~ 4.51 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
  • 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
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/200 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.74x 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
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs None
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    23 vs 13 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon D3500 advantages over Sony RX1R II

  • Less expensive
    $597 vs $3298*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer video battery life
    75 vs 30 minutes
    Capture more video
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1550 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Newer
    6 years vs 9 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 24 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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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

  • Excellent image quality; Extremely high resolution; Surprisingly good high ISO performance; Outstanding dynamic range; Handy variable low-pass filter; Fast phase-detect AF; Built-in EVF.

  • Fixed, single focal length lens; Poor battery life; No built-in flash; No touchscreen LCD; Slow buffer clearing; No 4K video; Expensive.

  • Read our Sony RX1R II 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 RX1

Sony RX1R II
Sony RX1
  • $3298
  • 35mm
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX1R II vs Sony RX1

Nikon D3500
Sony RX1
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Sony RX1

Compared to Sony RX1R

Sony RX1R II
Sony RX1R
  • $3298
  • 35mm
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $2598
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX1R II vs Sony RX1R

Nikon D3500
Sony RX1R
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $2598
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Sony RX1R

Compared to Canon SL2

Sony RX1R II
Canon SL2
  • $3298
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony RX1R II 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 Zeiss ZX1

Sony RX1R II
Zeiss ZX1
  • $3298
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $6000
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony RX1R II vs Zeiss ZX1

Nikon D3500
Zeiss ZX1
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Longer video battery life
  • Internal flash
  • $6000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Zeiss ZX1

Compared to Canon SL3

Sony RX1R II
Canon SL3
  • $3298
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $632
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony RX1R II 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

Compare Other Cameras?