Sony RX1R II vs Nikon D3500

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony RX1R II vs Nikon D3500

35mm 861.6mm²
42.4 megapixels
35.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX1R II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony RX1R II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the RX1R II.
Compare Sony RX1R II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony RX1R II 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.

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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

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 220 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Newer
6 years vs 8 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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Adorama
Read RX1R II User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3500 User Reviews

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Sony RX1R II

All RX1R II 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

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

$2398
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX1R II vs Sony RX1R

Nikon D3500

Sony RX1R

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

$2398
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?