Sony SLT Alpha 35 vs Sony SLT Alpha 65 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · DSLR · 16 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 35
50
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 24.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 65
57
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony SLT Alpha 35 and Sony SLT Alpha 65 are both 2011 Sony SLT cameras with a DSLR body type and electronic viewfinders. Both take Sony Alpha DT lenses, so any DT glass you already own works on either body. The bodies differ in scale. The Alpha 65 measures 132 x 97 x 81 mm and weighs 622 g, while the Alpha 35 is a smaller 124 x 92 x 85 mm and 207 g lighter at 415 g, the better fit for travel and long walking days. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2011 | 2011 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
June 8, 2011 | August 24, 2011 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 124 x 92 x 85 mm | 132 x 97 x 81 mm |
| Camera weight | 415 g | 622 g |
| Optics | 57/100 | 68/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 65 is the stronger choice for detail and cropping, because its 24.3 MP APS-C CMOS sensor gives you roughly half again the pixels of the Alpha 35's 16 MP sensor. That extra reach in the file lets you crop a distant bird or a stage performer harder and still keep a usable image. The Alpha 65 also leads for action. Its 10 fps continuous shooting nearly doubles the Alpha 35's 5.5 fps, and its 19 autofocus points spread coverage wider than 15 for tracking moving subjects. Its electronic viewfinder more than doubles the dot count, 2359000 against 1150000, and its native ISO ceiling reaches 16000 against 12800. Both share the Bionz processor, in-body stabilisation and 1/4000 second top shutter speed. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16 MP050 | 24.3 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4912 x 3264 | 6000 x 4000 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.6 x 23.5 | 15.6 x 23.5 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
5.5 fps045 | 10 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Sony Alpha DT | Sony Alpha DT |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Bionz | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
128003003280000 | 160003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
150300 | 190300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 115000009900000 | 235900009900000 |
| Video | 56/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor family clips and web footage, either body will do the same job. Both record up to Full HD, with maximum frame rates of 60 fps, in AVCHD or MP4. Neither offers a built-in intervalometer for timelapse. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MP4, AVCHD | AVCHD, MP4 |
| Features | 41/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 65 can geotag your files as you shoot with its built-in GPS, which the Alpha 35 lacks, useful for travel, landscape and wildlife location records without a separate logger. Framing overhead or waist-level shots works the same on either body. Both offer a 3-inch 921000-dot LCD that flips out for those angles, plus live view, a built-in flash and external flash support. Neither has touch control, weather sealing, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
No |  Yes |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 24/100 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe same cards serve either body. Both cameras write to a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card or a Memory Stick Pro Duo variant, and neither has a second slot. The batteries differ in type and rating. The Alpha 65 uses an NP-FM500H rated for 510 shots, against the Alpha 35's NP-FW50 at 440, a 70-shot difference in the ratings. Neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-FW50 | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
440 shots1505000 | 510 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Sony SLT Alpha 65 is the better choice for most photographers, offering room to crop, faster action coverage and GPS-tagged travel files. Its 24.3 MP sensor, 10 fps burst, 19-point autofocus array and higher-resolution viewfinder all point the same way, and its battery carries the higher rating. Choose it for wildlife, sports and any shooting where you crop heavily.
The Sony SLT Alpha 35 is the sensible pick when carry weight matters most. At 415 g against 622 g it is the lighter body for hiking and city walks, and it keeps the same Sony Alpha DT mount, APS-C format and in-body stabilisation.