Size and weight are big decision factors when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs.
In this section, we are going to illustrate the Sony a3500 and Nikon AW130 side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Sony a3500 has external dimensions of 128 x 91 x 85 mm (5.04 x 3.58 x 3.35″) and weighs 411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz) (including batteries). Nikon AW130 has external dimensions of 110 x 66 x 27 mm (4.33 x 2.6 x 1.06″) and weighs 221 g (0.49 lb / 7.80 oz) (including batteries).
Below you can see the front-view size comparison of the Sony a3500 and the Nikon AW130. Nikon AW130 is clearly the smaller of the two cameras. Its body is 18mm narrower, 25mm shorter and 58mm thinner than Sony a3500. As you can tell, actually this is not a fair size comparison since Nikon AW130 has a built-in lens but Sony a3500 doesn't. Once you put a lens on a3500, its thickness will increase significantly.
Now lets look at the top view comparison of Sony a3500 and Nikon AW130.
Weight is another important factor, especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day.
Nikon AW130 is significantly lighter (190g ) than the Sony a3500 which may become a big advantage especially on long walking trips.
Again, this comparison may not be very useful in real life as we are comparing the weight of a camera with a built-in lens to the body-only weight of an interchangeable lens camera. Once you put a lens on a3500, the total kit will weigh much higher.
Weather Sealing
Thanks to the weather-sealed body of the AW130, you can use this camera with more confidence under conditions where there is risk of exposure to water and dust compared to the a3500.
LCD Screen Size and Features
Sony a3500 and Nikon AW130's LCD screens have the same diagonal size of 3.00 inches.
Unfortunately, both cameras has fixed screens so they don't tilt or flip in directions.