Nikon
D3500
Entry DSLR that introduced millions to interchangeable-lens photography.
$449
Released Aug 2018
Sony
Alpha 7 IV
33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.
$2,499
Released Oct 2021
Alpha 7 IV is 3.2 years newer.
Wins
D3500
Wins
Alpha 7 IV
1 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher 4K max frame rate (60 fps vs 0 fps)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher IBIS effectiveness (5.5 stops vs 0 stops)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 11)
- AD3500 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (1550 shots vs 580 shots)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 25,600)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
D3500
124 × 97 × 70 mm
365 g (0.80 lb / 12.88 oz)
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 × 80 mm
658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
D3500 is 7mm narrower and 10mm thinner than Alpha 7 IV but it is also 1mm taller.
D3500 is 293 g lighter than Alpha 7 IV.
Depth (front-to-back): 70mm D3500 · 80mm Alpha 7 IV
Sensor size, to scale
D3500
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
Alpha 7 IV
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
2.3× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D3500
Nikon F
270+
native lenses available
Alpha 7 IV
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
D3500
Codecs
Adds H.264/AVC
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 124, 97, 69.5
Card types
Adds SD UHS-I
Battery life (CIPA)
1550 shots vs 580 shots — higher is better
Weight
365 g vs 658 g — lower is better
EVF magnification
0.85 × vs 0.78 × — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7 IV
AF low-light limit
-4 EV vs -1 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
4K max frame rate
60 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I…
IBIS effectiveness
5.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 131.3, 96.4, 79.8
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A, SD UHS-II
AF points / zones
759 vs 11 — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Bluetooth — Both support bluetooth
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
D3500
Pros
- ✓Very affordable
- ✓Long battery life
- ✓Lightweight
Cons
- –No 4K
- –Basic AF
- –Discontinued
Alpha 7 IV
Pros
- ✓33MP — more detail for cropping and print
- ✓10-bit 4K 60p (Super35 crop) / 4K 30p full-frame
- ✓Full-size HDMI port
- ✓759 phase-detect AF points
Cons
- –4K 60p requires Super35 crop
- –10fps burst lags behind R6 II at 40fps
- –Complex menu system
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, D3500 or Alpha 7 IV?
Alpha 7 IV scores 7.5/10 versus 0.0/10 for D3500 — 4K recording.
What's the resolution difference between the D3500 and Alpha 7 IV?
D3500 is 24.2 MP and Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP, so the Alpha 7 IV captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D3500 and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?
D3500 does not have IBIS, while alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D3500 or the Alpha 7 IV?
D3500 reaches 5 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D3500 and Alpha 7 IV?
D3500 weighs 365 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the D3500 is 293 g lighter.
Do the D3500 and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?
D3500: Full HD. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.
Are the D3500 and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?
D3500: No. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 1,550 shots (CIPA) for the D3500 and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the D3500 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D3500 launched at $449 and Alpha 7 IV at $2,499. The D3500 is $2,050 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon and Sony press materials.