• APS-C 365.0mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 900.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha SLT-A35
  • Nikon Coolpix B500
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Nikon L840
L840 vs B500
Successor:   Nikon B600
B500 vs B600
General
Model Number: A35 B500
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Mid-Sized
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $699.99 $299.95
Street Price: $567.17 $321.95
Date Available: 2011-08-31 2016-04-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 24.5 oz (694 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
19.1 oz (541 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.9 x 3.6 x 3.3 in.
(124 x 92 x 85 mm)
4.5 x 3.1 x 3.8 in.
(114 x 78 x 96 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 16.2 16.1
Sensor Format: APS-C 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 365.04mm2 (23.40mm x 15.60mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.76 microns 1.34 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x n/a
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG  
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed None
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 74  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.3  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.7  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 763  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4912 x 3264 (16.0 MP, 3:2),
4912 x 2760 (13.6 MP, 16:9),
3568 x 2368 (8.4 MP, Other),
3568 x 2000 (7.1 MP, 16:9),
2448 x 1624 (4.0 MP, Other),
2448 x 1376 (3.4 MP, 16:9),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other),
2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other),
7152 x 1080 (7.7 MP, Other),
4912 x 1080 (5.3 MP, Other),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9)
4608 x 3456 (15.9 MP, 4:3),
3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
2272 x 1704 (3.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
4608 x 2592 (11.9 MP, 16:9),
3456 x 3456 (11.9 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 5.5 7.4
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60i)
1440x1080 (30)
640x480 (30)
1920x1080 (60i/​50i/​30p/​25p)
1280x720 (30p/​25p)
640x480 (30p/​25p)
1920x1080 (15p/​12.5p)
640x480 (120p/​100p)
Movie File Format: AVCHD, MP4 MP4 (Video: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, Audio: AAC stereo)
Composite Video Out: No Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) n/a
Lens: Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM Zoom-Nikkor ED VR; 12 elements in 9 groups including 3 ED elements
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 23 - 900mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 4 - 160mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 40.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T) f/3.0 or f/6.0 (wide) / f/6.5 or f/13 (tele), via electronically controlled ND filter (-2.0 AV)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   30 cm to Infinity
11.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:   1 cm to Infinity
0.4 in to Infinity
Filter Thread: 55.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 4x; 2x Dynamic Fine Zoom
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Phase Detection: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide, Spot, Local. Contrast Detection: Center, Face priority, Manual with 99 focus areas, Subject tracking, Target Finding AF
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes No
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: EVF type; 1.1cm (0.43") 1.15M-dot LCD (380K-dot time-multiplexed RGB), 100% coverage, 1.1x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -4 to +4 diopter  
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution:   n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.73x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 1.10x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 921,000 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 11.8x  
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 6400
Minimum ISO (native): 100 125
ISO Settings: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800; (Multi-frame NR mode up to ISO 25600) Auto, 125, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200*, 6400*; *Available when using Auto mode
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500 – 9900K with 19-step Magenta/Green compensation) Auto, Cloudy, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Preset Manual
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/1500 - 1 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 49-zone Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot Matrix, Center-weighted (digital zoom less than 2x), Spot (digital zoom 2X or more)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes No
Shutter Priority: Yes No
Full Manual Exposure: Yes No
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Sports Action, Macro, Landscape, Sunset, Night view, Hand-held Twilight (6 shot layering), Night Portrait, Picture Effect, Sweep Panorama (2D/3D) Smart Portrait, Backlighting, Beach, Bird-watching, Close-up, Dusk/Dawn, Easy Panorama, Fireworks Show, Food, Landscape, Moon, Night Landscape, Night Portrait, Party/Indoor, Pet Portrait, Portrait, Scene Auto Selector, Short Movie Show, Snow, Sports, Sunset, Special Effects
Self Timer: 2, 10; 3 or 5 after 10 sec seconds 10 or 2 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off Auto, Auto w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off, Flash On, w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; Slow Syncro
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 10.0 m / 32.8 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Auto ISO: [W]: 0.5 to 6.9m [T]: 1.5 to 3.5m
Max Flash Sync: 1/160  
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps  
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes No
Uncompressed Format: RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG  
Movie File Format: AVCHD, MP4 MP4 (Video: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, Audio: AAC stereo)
Included Memory:   20.0 MB
Included Memory Type:   Internal
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: Yes
Bluetooth: No Yes
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: Yes No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Wireless (RMT-DSLR1) or Wired (RM-S1AM/RM-L1AM) Via Wi-Fi
Connections (extended): Type-C HDMI Mini Connector (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, 3.5mm External Stereo Micophone Jack Micro (Type-D) HDMI
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.53  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.54  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 8  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 5.5 7.4
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 12 7
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.22 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.217 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.48 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.102 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes): Wide-area full AF lag = 0.214s  
Startup Time: 0.9 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 0.4 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.3 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 420 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FW50 4 x AA
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Alkaline, Lithium disposables; NiMH rechargeables
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable 4 x Alkaline AAs
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes No
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: No
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Software CD-ROM (includes Picture Motion Browser, Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR)  
OS Compatibility: Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.3 +)  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization, 1080i HD Video, Auto+, Picture Effects, Multi-frame NR, Hand-held Twilight, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer, 2D/3D Sweep Panorama, Smile Shutter, DOF Preview, 5.5fps Full-res Burst Mode (7fps in Cropped "Telezoom" 8MP Mode). Available in black and red.