Sony's entry E-mount mirrorless — the A3500, APS-C, EVF, Full HD, DSLR-style body, 2014.
The Sony A3500 is an entry-level APS-C mirrorless camera announced in 2014, part of Sony's Alpha E-mount line. It was a budget-oriented body in the A3000-series form, styled like a small DSLR but built on the mirror-free E-mount system, and was aimed at first-time interchangeable-lens buyers moving up from compacts or phones.
It is a mirrorless camera with no reflex mirror, using an electronic viewfinder and the Sony E bayonet mount, which accepts E-mount APS-C lenses and, with adapters, a wide range of other optics. It has an APS-C sensor and records Full HD video. Unlike Sony's SLT and higher Alpha bodies, it relies on the lens for stabilisation rather than in-body sensor-shift, keeping cost and complexity low. It records to Memory Stick and SD-type cards.
The A3500 suits beginners and students wanting an affordable entry into the E-mount system with a DSLR-style grip and an electronic finder for bright-light shooting. It is a straightforward general and travel camera, though its basic feature set, contrast-detect autofocus and lack of in-body stabilisation mark it as a value proposition rather than an enthusiast tool.
When buying used, check the shutter count against its rated life, inspect the sensor for dust and marks given the exposed mount on a mirrorless body, and test the EVF and rear screen for dead pixels. Confirm the card and battery doors latch, check the E-mount for wear, and inspect the grip rubber. NP-FW50 batteries remain widely available aftermarket, and resale sits at the budget end as an inexpensive second or starter body.