Sony Alpha 3500 vs Sony Alpha 3000

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Sony Alpha 3000
      59
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      61
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Sony Alpha 3500 and the Sony Alpha 3000, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Sony Alpha 3500 was introduced in March 2014 and Sony Alpha 3000 was introduced in August 2013. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Sony Alpha 3500 Highlights

      • 20 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 16,000 Native ISO
      • 25 Focus Points
      • 3.0" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • Electronic Viewfinder
      • 3.5 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Built-in Flash

      Sony Alpha 3000 Highlights

      • 20.1 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 16,000 Native ISO
      • 25 Focus Points (25 Cross-type)
      • 3.0" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • Electronic Viewfinder
      • 2.5 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Sony Alpha 3500
      4. Advantage of Sony Alpha 3000
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Sony Alpha 3500 and Sony Alpha 3000.

      PROS

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Sony Alpha 3000

      •   Video Capture
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz)
      •   Cheap
      •   Video Capture
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz)

      CONS

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Sony Alpha 3000

      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.5 fps
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 470 shots
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 470 shots


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Sony Alpha 3000

      •   Sensor Resolution - 20 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   Sensor Resolution - 20.1 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 78

      Advantage of Sony Alpha 3500

      Sony a3500
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Alpha 3500 over Sony Alpha 3000.

      Sony Alpha 3500 vs Sony Alpha 3000
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 3.5 fps vs 2.5 fps

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sony Alpha 3500.

      Pentax K-3 III
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      APS-C

      25.73 MP

      Hasselblad X2D 100c
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      Medium format

      100 MP

      Leica D-Lux (Typ 109)
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      12.8 MP

      Nikon D80
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Pentax K100D
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Nikon D500
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      20.9 MP

      Sony a6300
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Pentax K-500
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      16.3 MP

      Fujifilm X-E2S
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      APS-C

      16.3 MP

      Fujifilm X-T200
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Panasonic G2
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Canon Rebel T5
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      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Advantage of Sony Alpha 3000

      Sony a3000
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Alpha 3000 over Sony Alpha 3500.

      Sony Alpha 3500 vs Sony Alpha 3000
      Higher Sensor Resolution 20 Megapixel vs 20.1 Megapixel

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sony Alpha 3000.

      Sony a7S III
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      Full Frame

      12.1 MP

      Sony a1
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      Full Frame

      50.1 MP

      Canon 5DS
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Nikon D3200
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon Z8
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      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Sony a7R II
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      Full Frame

      42.4 MP

      Canon 70D
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      APS-C

      20.2 MP

      Sony SLT-A68
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A290
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      APS-C

      14.2 MP

      Sigma SD15
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      APS-C

      5 MP

      Canon Rebel T5
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      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Nikon D2H
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      APS-C

      4.1 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Sony Alpha 3500 Sony Alpha 3000
        Video Capture
        Face Detection
        Live View Autofocus
        Built-in Flash
        HDMI Output Mini Type C Mini
        Light411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz)411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz)
      WEAKNESSES Sony Alpha 3500 Sony Alpha 3000
        Timelapse Recording
        No Image Stabilization
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Resolution Screen230k dot230k dot
        Low Max Continuous Shooting3.5 fps2.5 fps
        Low Video Resolution1920 x 10801920 x 1080
        Low Video Recording Limit30 min30 min
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing
        Short Battery Life470 shots470 shots

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Sony Alpha 3500 and Sony Alpha 3000 have 3.0" Fixed screens with 230k dot resolution.


      Viewfinder

      Cameras have built-in Electronic viewfinders. They both have 100% coverage and 0.70x (0.47x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

      Sensor

      Sony Alpha 3500 features a 20 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.5 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 366.6 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 16,000. Sony Alpha 3000 features a 20.1 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.5 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 243.4 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 16,000.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Cameras are equipped with BIONZ processor and can take pictures up to 5456 x 3632 resolution. They can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 3872 x 2576, 2736 x 1824 with 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Cameras have Sony E lens mount. Due to their APS-C sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


      No Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Sony Alpha 3500 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Sony Alpha 3000 nothing can be done. On Sony Alpha 3000 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Sony Alpha 3500 nothing can be done.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Sony Alpha 3500 has a Mini HDMI and Sony Alpha 3000 has a Type C Mini HDMI connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Sony Alpha 3500 and Sony Alpha 3000 come with NP-FW50 battery pack with battery life of 470 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Cameras have a single card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Sony Alpha 3500, and up to 1/4000 sec on Sony Alpha 3000. Sony Alpha 3500 can shoot continuously up to 3.5 fps. Sony Alpha 3000 can shoot continuously up to 2.5 fps.


      Focusing

      Sony Alpha 3500 has 25 focusing points and Sony Alpha 3000 has Contrast-detection AF system with 25 focusing points..


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 4m at ISO100.. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe to Sony Alpha 3000. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec on both cameras.

      Physical Parameters

      Sony Alpha 3500 and Sony Alpha 3000 bodies have the same dimensions of 128 x 91 x 85 mm (5.04 x 3.58 x 3.35") and they both weigh 411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz).

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Sony Alpha 3000

      128 mm

      91 mm

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      128 mm

      91 mm

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      91 mm

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      91 mm

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      85 mm

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      85 mm

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      Size comparisons of Sony Alpha 3500 and Sony Alpha 3000

      Sony Alpha 3500 and Sony Alpha 3000 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Sony Alpha 3000

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      70
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Sony Alpha 3000

      AVERAGE
      67
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.5 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 470 shots
      AVERAGE
      66
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 470 shots

      Wildlife Photography

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Sony Alpha 3000

      AVERAGE
      57
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.5 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 470 shots
      AVERAGE
      58
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 470 shots

      Portrait Photography

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Sony Alpha 3000

      GOOD
      76
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      GOOD
      77
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec

      Street Photography

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Sony Alpha 3000

      GOOD
      80
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz)
      GOOD
      80
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Sony Alpha 3000

      GOOD
      80
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 470 shots
      GOOD
      80
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 470 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Sony Alpha 3500 and Sony Alpha 3000 and give them scores of 59 and 61 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Sony Alpha 3500

      Sony Alpha 3000

      OVERALL
      59
      OVERALL
      61

      Sensor

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Sony Alpha 3000

      AVERAGE
      63
      •   Sensor Resolution - 20 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      GOOD
      71
      •   Sensor Resolution - 20.1 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 78

      Photo

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Sony Alpha 3000

      AVERAGE
      56
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.5 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      AVERAGE
      56
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec

      Video

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Sony Alpha 3000

      BAD
      16
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      BAD
      16
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit

      Focusing

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Sony Alpha 3000

      GOOD
      71
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      68
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Sony Alpha 3000

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot

      Connectivity

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Sony Alpha 3000

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Sony Alpha 3000

      POOR
      43
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 470 shots
      POOR
      43
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 470 shots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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