Sony a3500 vs Sony a7 IV

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a3500 and Sony a7 IV. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony a3500 were released 2014 and Sony a7 IV was released 2021. That is a 7 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a3500 2014
Sony a7 IV 2021

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a3500 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Sony a7 IV has a "Sony Full Frame"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a3500 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Sony a7 IV 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)

Resolution

Sony a3500 has a 20 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a7 IV has 33 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a3500 20 MP
19816192 pixels
5456 x 3632
Sony a7 IV 33 MP
32741376 pixels
7008 x 4672

Sony a7 IV has a 65 % larger resolution than Sony a3500. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Sony a7 IV has a larger ISO-range than Sony a3500. Sony a7 IV has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Sony a3500 has 100 to 16000.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a3500 100-16000
Sony a7 IV 100-51200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a3500
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a7 IV

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a3500 can shoot up to 3,5 pictures per seconds and Sony a7 IV can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a3500 3,5
Sony a7 IV 10

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Sony a3500 and Sony a7 IV can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Sony a7 IV weighs 659 gr (equal to 1.45 lb) which is 60% heavier than Sony a3500 and its 411 gr (or 0.91 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a3500 411 gr
0.91 lb
Sony a7 IV 659 gr
1.45 lb

Sony a3500 vs Sony a7 IV Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a3500 and Sony a7 IV, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Sony a3500
Sony a7 IV
Name Sony a3500 Sony a7 IV
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a3500
Sony a7 IV
Release Year 2014 2021
Release Date 2014-03-21 2021-10-21
MSRP 399 USD 2499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a3500
Sony a7 IV
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a3500
Sony a7 IV
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Resolution 5456 x 3632 pixels 7008 x 4672 pixels
Megapixels 20 MP 33 MP
Image Processor Bionz BIONZ XR
Image
Sony a3500
Sony a7 IV
ISO Range 100 - 16000 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 9 7
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Optical)
Yes
(Sensor-Shift (5-axis))
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 5.5 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a3500
Sony a7 IV
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 25 759
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a3500
Sony a7 IV
Articulated LCD Fixed Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 230400 1036800
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× (0.47× 35mm equiv.) 0.78x
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 3686400
Photography features
Sony a3500
Sony a7 IV
Frames per second 3,5 fps 10 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 6 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a3500
Sony a7 IV
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
AVCHD
MPEG4
H.264
H.265
XAVC-S
XAVC-HS
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a3500
Sony a7 IV
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash Express
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a3500
Sony a7 IV
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless No Yes
Built-in (802.11ac (dual band) + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (via optional RM-VPR1)
Yes (wireless or smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a3500
Sony a7 IV
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and USB charger
NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 480 shots 580 shots
Width 128 mm 131 mm
Height 91 mm 96 mm
Depth 85 mm 80 mm
Weight 411 gram 659 gram