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Nikon D3500 vs Sony RX100 VII

The Nikon D3500 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in August 2018 and July 2019. The D3500 is a DSLR, while the RX100 VII is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on an APS-C (D3500) and an one-inch (RX100 VII) sensor. The Nikon has a resolution of 24 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 20 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Nikon D3500
versus
Sony RX100 VII
Nikon D3500   Sony RX100 VII
Digital single lens reflex Fixed lens compact camera
Nikon F mount lenses 24-200mm f/2.8-4.5
24 MP – APS-C sensor 20 MP – 1" sensor
1080/60p Video 4K/30p Video
ISO 100-25,600 ISO 125-12,800 (80 - 25,600)
Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder (2359k dots)
3.0" LCD – 921k dots 3.0" LCD – 921k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Tilting touchscreen
5 shutter flaps per second 90 shutter flaps per second
1550 shots per battery charge260 shots per battery charge
124 x 97 x 70 mm, 415 g 102 x 58 x 43 mm, 302 g
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Check D3500 offers at
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Check RX100 VII price at
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon D3500 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Nikon D3500 and the Sony RX100 VII is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Nikon D3500 vs Sony RX100 VII
Compare D3500 versus RX100 VII top
Comparison D3500 or RX100 VII rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony RX100 VII is considerably smaller (51 percent) than the Nikon D3500. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the D3500 nor the RX100 VII are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the RX100 VII has a lens built in, whereas the D3500 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the D3500 and their specifications in the Nikon Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the D3500 gets 1550 shots out of its Nikon EN-EL14a battery, while the RX100 VII can take 260 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-BX1 power pack. The power pack in the RX100 VII can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D3500 124 mm 97 mm 70 mm 415 g 1550 n Aug 2018 429ebay.com
2.
 
Sony RX100 VII 102 mm 58 mm 43 mm 302 g 260 n Jul 2019 1,199 amazon.com
3.
 
Canon M100 108 mm 67 mm 35 mm 302 g 295 n Aug 2017 499ebay.com
4.
 
Fujifilm X-A7 119 mm 68 mm 41 mm 320 g 440 n Sep 2019 499ebay.com
5.
 
Fujifilm X-A5 117 mm 68 mm 40 mm 361 g 450 n Jan 2018 399ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X-E3 121 mm 74 mm 43 mm 337 g 350 n Sep 2017 899ebay.com
7.
 
Leica C-LUX 113 mm 67 mm 46 mm 340 g 370 n Jun 2018 1,049ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D5600 124 mm 97 mm 70 mm 465 g 970 n Nov 2016 699ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D3400 124 mm 98 mm 76 mm 445 g 1200 n Aug 2016 499ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D5500 124 mm 97 mm 70 mm 470 g 820 n Jan 2015 899ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D3300 124 mm 98 mm 76 mm 430 g 700 n Jan 2014 499ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D5300 125 mm 98 mm 76 mm 480 g 600 n Oct 2013 799ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D3200 125 mm 96 mm 77 mm 505 g 540 n Apr 2012 599ebay.com
14.
 
Sony ZV-1 105 mm 60 mm 44 mm 294 g 260 n May 2020 799ebay.com
15.
 
Sony RX100 VI 102 mm 58 mm 43 mm 301 g 240 n Jun 2018 1,199ebay.com
16.
 
Sony RX100 V 102 mm 58 mm 41 mm 299 g 220 n Oct 2016 999ebay.com
17.
 
Sony RX100 IV 102 mm 58 mm 41 mm 298 g 280 n Jun 2015 999ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Nikon D3500 features an APS-C sensor and the Sony RX100 VII an one-inch sensor. The sensor area in the RX100 VII is 68 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 2.7. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Nikon D3500 and Sony RX100 VII sensor measures

With 24MP, the D3500 offers a higher resolution than the RX100 VII (20MP), but the D3500 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.91μm versus 2.41μm for the RX100 VII) due to its larger sensor. However, the RX100 VII is a somewhat more recent model (by 10 months) than the D3500, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the D3500 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Nikon D3500 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the D3500 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Sony RX100 VII are 27.4 x 18.2 inches or 69.5 x 46.3 cm for good quality, 21.9 x 14.6 inches or 55.6 x 37.1 cm for very good quality, and 18.2 x 12.2 inches or 46.3 x 30.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The RX100 VII has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Nikon D3500 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII are ISO 125 to ISO 12800, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 80-25600.

In terms of underlying technology, the D3500 is build around a CMOS sensor, while the RX100 VII uses a BSI-CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

D3500 versus RX100 VII MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Nikon D3500 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.013.4185183
2.
 
Sony RX100 VII 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p21.812.441863
3.
 
Canon M100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.512.9127278
4.
 
Fujifilm X-A7 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/30p24.113.6195584
5.
 
Fujifilm X-A5 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/15p24.013.3180082
6.
 
Fujifilm X-E3 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/30p23.913.3176482
7.
 
Leica C-LUX 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.112.348164
8.
 
Nikon D5600 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.114.0130684
9.
 
Nikon D3400 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.813.9119286
10.
 
Nikon D5500 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.114.0143884
11.
 
Nikon D3300 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.312.8138582
12.
 
Nikon D5300 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.013.9133883
13.
 
Nikon D3200 APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/30p24.113.2113181
14.
 
Sony ZV-1 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.212.666966
15.
 
Sony RX100 VI 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.112.347864
16.
 
Sony RX100 V 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.812.458670
17.
 
Sony RX100 IV 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.812.659170
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the RX100 VII provides a better video resolution than the D3500. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/30p, while the Nikon is limited to 1080/60p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the RX100 VII has an electronic viewfinder (2359k dots), while the D3500 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinder in the RX100 VII offers a wider field of view (100%) than the one in the D3500 (95%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible in the finder. In addition, the viewfinder of the RX100 VII has a higher magnification (0.59x vs 0.57x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Nikon D3500 and Sony RX100 VII along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Nikon D3500optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
2.
 
Sony RX100 VII2359 n3.0 / 921 tilting Y 1/2000s 90.0/s Y Y
3.
 
Canon M100none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.1/s Y n
4.
 
Fujifilm X-A7none n3.5 / 2760 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
5.
 
Fujifilm X-A5none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
6.
 
Fujifilm X-E32360 n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/4000s 8.0/s n n
7.
 
Leica C-LUX2330 n3.0 / 1240 fixed Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
8.
 
Nikon D5600optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
9.
 
Nikon D3400optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
10.
 
Nikon D5500optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
11.
 
Nikon D3300optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
12.
 
Nikon D5300optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
13.
 
Nikon D3200optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
14.
 
Sony ZV-1none n3.0 / 922 swivel Y 1/2000s 24.0/s n n
15.
 
Sony RX100 VI2359 n3.0 / 1229 tilting Y 1/2000s 24.0/s Y Y
16.
 
Sony RX100 V2359 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/2000s 24.0/s Y Y
17.
 
Sony RX100 IV2359 n3.0 / 1228 tilting n 1/2000s 16.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The RX100 VII has a touchscreen, while the D3500 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

The RX100 VII has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies. In contrast, the D3500 does not have a selfie-screen.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the RX100 VII is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Sony RX100 VII has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The D3500 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the RX100 VII uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon D3500 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Nikon D3500Ymono / mono--mini2.0--Y
2.
 
Sony RX100 VII-stereo / monoY-micro2.0YYY
3.
 
Canon M100-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
4.
 
Fujifilm X-A7Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
5.
 
Fujifilm X-A5Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
6.
 
Fujifilm X-E3Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
7.
 
Leica C-LUX-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
8.
 
Nikon D5600Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
9.
 
Nikon D3400Ymono / mono--mini2.0--Y
10.
 
Nikon D5500Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
11.
 
Nikon D3300Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
12.
 
Nikon D5300Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
13.
 
Nikon D3200Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
14.
 
Sony ZV-1Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
15.
 
Sony RX100 VI-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
16.
 
Sony RX100 V-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
17.
 
Sony RX100 IV-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
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It is notable that the D3500 has a hotshoe, while the RX100 VII does not. This socket makes it possible to easily attach optional accessories, such as an external flash gun.

The RX100 VII is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Sony. In contrast, the D3500 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). There has not been a direct replacement model for the D3500 from Nikon. Further information on the features and operation of the D3500 and RX100 VII can be found, respectively, in the Nikon D3500 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony RX100 VII Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Nikon D3500 better than the Sony RX100 VII or vice versa? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

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Arguments in favor of the Nikon D3500:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (24 vs 20MP) with a 10% higher linear resolution.
  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
  • Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
  • More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
  • Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
  • More flexible: Can take a variety of interchangeable lenses, including specialty optics.
  • Longer lasting: Can take more shots (1550 versus 260) on a single battery charge.
  • Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in August 2018).

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Advantages of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/60p).
  • Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
  • Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
  • More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
  • More complete view: Has a viewfinder with a larger field of view (100% vs 95%).
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.59x vs 0.57x).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
  • Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (90 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • Ready to shoot: Comes with an integrated lens, while the D3500 requires a separate lens.
  • More compact: Is smaller (102x58mm vs 124x97mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight even though it has a lens built in (unlike the D3500).
  • Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
  • Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
  • More modern: Was introduced somewhat (10 months) more recently.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the RX100 VII is the clear winner of the contest (21 : 12 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

D3500 12:21 RX100 VII

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon D3500 and the Sony RX100 VII place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Travel-Zoom Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the D3500 or the RX100 VII perform in practice. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D35004/5..4/575/1004/54.5/5 Aug 2018 429ebay.com
2.
 
Sony RX100 VII4.5/5..4/5..4/55/5 Jul 2019 1,199 amazon.com
3.
 
Canon M1003/5+....4/53.5/5 Aug 2017 499ebay.com
4.
 
Fujifilm X-A73/5..3.5/581/1004/53.5/5 Sep 2019 499ebay.com
5.
 
Fujifilm X-A5..+4.1/5..4/53.5/5 Jan 2018 399ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X-E34.5/5+4.5/584/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2017 899ebay.com
7.
 
Leica C-LUX....3.5/5..4.5/54/5 Jun 2018 1,049ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D56004/5..4/579/1004.5/54/5 Nov 2016 699ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D34004/5+4/576/1004/54.5/5 Aug 2016 499ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D55005/5+..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2015 899ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D33003/5+..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2014 499ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D53004/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2013 799ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D32005/5+ +..73/1004.5/54.5/5 Apr 2012 599ebay.com
14.
 
Sony ZV-14/5+4/585/1004/54.5/5 May 2020 799ebay.com
15.
 
Sony RX100 VI4.5/5+ +..83/1004/54.5/5 Jun 2018 1,199ebay.com
16.
 
Sony RX100 V4.5/5+ +..83/1004/54.5/5 Oct 2016 999ebay.com
17.
 
Sony RX100 IV4.5/5+ +..85/1004/54.5/5 Jun 2015 999ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Check D3500 offers at
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Check RX100 VII price at
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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications: Nikon D3500 vs Sony RX100 VII

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Nikon D3500 Sony RX100 VII
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens Nikon F mount lenses 24-200mm f/2.8-4.5
    Launch Date August 2018 July 2019
    Launch Price USD 429 USD 1,199
    Sensor Specs Nikon D3500 Sony RX100 VII
    Sensor Technology CMOS BSI-CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor 1" Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.5 x 15.6 mm 13.2 x 8.8 mm
    Sensor Area 366.6 mm2 116.16 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.2 mm 15.9 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x 2.7x
    Sensor Resolution 24 Megapixels 20 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 5472 x 3648 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 3.91 μm 2.41 μm
    Pixel Density 6.55 MP/cm2 17.18 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60p Video 4K/30p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 25,600 ISO 125 - 12,800 ISO
    ISO Boost no Enhancement 80 - 25,600 ISO
    Image Processor EXPEED 4 BIONZ X
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) .. 63
    DXO Color Depth (bits) .. 21.8
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) .. 12.4
    DXO Low Light (ISO) .. 418
    Screen Specs Nikon D3500 Sony RX100 VII
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.57x 0.59x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2359k dots
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 921k dots 921k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Tilting screen
    Touch Input no Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Nikon D3500 Sony RX100 VII
    Focus System Phase-detect AF On-Sensor Phase-detect
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking FeatureFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/4000s 1/2000s
    Continuous Shooting 5 shutter flaps/s 90 shutter flaps/s
    Electronic Shutterno E-Shutterup to 1/32000s
    Time-Lapse Photographyno IntervalometerIntervalometer built-in
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards MS or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Nikon D3500 Sony RX100 VII
    External Flash Hotshoe no Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI micro HDMI
    Microphone Port no MIC socket External MIC port
    Wifi Support no Wifi Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication no NFC NFC built-in
    Bluetooth Support Bluetooth built-in Bluetooth built-in
    Body Specs Nikon D3500 Sony RX100 VII
    Battery Type Nikon EN-EL14a Sony NP-BX1
    Battery Life (CIPA)1550 shots per charge260 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging no USB charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 124 x 97 x 70 mm
    (4.9 x 3.8 x 2.8 in)
    102 x 58 x 43 mm
    (4.0 x 2.3 x 1.7 in)
    Camera Weight 415 g (14.6 oz) 302 g (10.7 oz)
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