Nikon D3200 vs Sony A500
67 Imaging
63 Features
63 Overall
63
63 Imaging
52 Features
52 Overall
52
Nikon D3200 vs Sony A500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Increase to 12800)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 505g - 125 x 96 x 77mm
- Revealed July 2012
- Earlier Model is Nikon D3100
- Later Model is Nikon D3300
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Announced August 2009
- Renewed by Sony A560
Nikon D3200 vs Sony A500 Overview
Below, we are looking at the Nikon D3200 versus Sony A500, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the D3200 (24MP) and A500 (12MP) but they use the exact same sensor dimensions (APS-C).
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe D3200 was introduced 2 years later than the A500 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).
Before delving straight into a full comparison, below is a short highlight of how the D3200 matches up versus the A500 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Nikon D3200 vs Sony A500 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon D3200 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A500. The whole galleries are available at Nikon D3200 Gallery & Sony A500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D3200 over the Sony A500
D3200 | A500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | July 2012 | August 2009 | Fresher by 36 months | |
Display resolution | 921k | 230k | Clearer display (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Nikon D3200
A500 | D3200 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Nikon D3200 and Sony A500
D3200 | A500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | Very exact focus | |||
Display dimension | 3" | 3" | Identical display sizing | |
Selfie screen | Lacking selfie screen | |||
Touch friendly display | Neither includes Touch friendly display |
Nikon D3200 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry your camera often, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D3200 features outer dimensions of 125mm x 96mm x 77mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") having a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) whilst the Sony A500 has dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).
Analyze the Nikon D3200 versus Sony A500 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the D3200 versus the A500.
Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D3200 and A500 is 67 and 63 respectively.
Nikon D3200 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing only by looking through specs. The photograph here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the D3200 and A500.
All in all, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You can expect to see the Nikon D3200 to provide you with extra detail using its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The younger D3200 provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.
Nikon D3200 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Nikon D3200 vs Sony A500 Specifications
Nikon D3200 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon D3200 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 |
Category | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2012-07-25 | 2009-08-27 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Expeed 3 | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.2 x 15.4mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 357.3mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24MP | 12MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 6016 x 4000 | 4272 x 2848 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Highest enhanced ISO | 12800 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Cross type focus points | 1 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Nikon F | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Amount of lenses | 309 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.6 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 921k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display tech | TFT LCD with 160� viewing angle | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.53x | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0 frames per sec | 5.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/200 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) | - |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Optional | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 505g (1.11 lbs) | 630g (1.39 lbs) |
Dimensions | 125 x 96 x 77mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 81 | 64 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 24.1 | 21.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 13.2 | 11.6 |
DXO Low light rating | 1131 | 772 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 540 photographs | 520 photographs |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL14 | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $530 | $638 |