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Nikon D3200 vs Sony A500

Portability
67
Imaging
64
Features
63
Overall
63
Nikon D3200 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A500 Key Specs

Nikon D3200
(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
Sony A500
(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
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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).

Photography Glossary

The 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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3200 over the Sony A500

 D3200 A500 
AnnouncedJuly 2012August 2009Fresher by 36 months
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Nikon D3200

 A500 D3200 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Nikon D3200 and Sony A500

 D3200 A500 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display dimension3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A500 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D3200 and A500 is 67 and 63 respectively.

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3200 Portrait photography info
Sony A500 Portrait photography info
78
focusing manually
good resolution (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focus
saves RAW formats
63
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D3200
Street photography with Sony A500
60
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
74
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D3200
Sports photography with Sony A500
65
good resolution (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
has phase detect auto focus
max fps low (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
51
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (520 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3200 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A500 as a Travel photography camera
59
good resolution (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
missing Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
43
flash built-in
no Timelapse mode
bad battery pack (520 per charge)
megapixel count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3200 Landscape photography info
Sony A500 Landscape photography info
69
focusing manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
missing Timelapse function
60
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
bad battery pack (520 per charge)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D3200
Vlogging with Sony A500
27
features face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing external microphone support
9
can't record video
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Nikon D3200 vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3200 and Sony A500
 Nikon D3200Sony 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