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Nikon D3200 vs Sony A550

Portability
67
Imaging
64
Features
63
Overall
63
Nikon D3200 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Nikon D3200
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 12800)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 505g - 125 x 96 x 77mm
  • Introduced July 2012
  • Previous Model is Nikon D3100
  • Successor is Nikon D3300
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Released December 2009
  • Old Model is Sony A100
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Nikon D3200 vs Sony A550 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Nikon D3200 versus Sony A550, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the D3200 (24MP) and A550 (14MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The D3200 was introduced 2 years after the A550 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before getting right into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the D3200 scores vs the A550 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3200 over the Sony A550

 D3200 A550 
ReleasedJuly 2012December 2009More modern by 32 months

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Nikon D3200

 A550 D3200 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k921kSharper display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D3200 and Sony A550

 D3200 A550 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon D3200 offers physical dimensions of 125mm x 96mm x 77mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") and a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) while the Sony A550 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon D3200 versus Sony A550 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the D3200 compared to the A550.

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A550 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D3200 and A550 is 67 and 63 respectively.

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its hard to see the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reading through specifications. The image underneath may provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D3200 and A550.

Plainly, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Nikon D3200 to give extra detail using its extra 10MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The fresher D3200 will have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D3200
Portrait photography with Sony A550
78
has manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
72
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3200 Street photography features
Sony A550 Street photography features
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
74
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D3200
Sports photography with Sony A550
65
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
not so great battery life (480 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3200 Travel photography information
Sony A550 Travel photography information
59
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
does not have selfie friendly display
52
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
not so great battery life (480 CIPA)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3200 Landscape photography factors
Sony A550 Landscape photography factors
69
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
lack of Timelapse mode
66
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
not so great battery life (480 shots)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3200 Vlogging factors
Sony A550 Vlogging factors
27
features face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
lack of external microphone port
9
no video
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Nikon D3200 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3200 and Sony A550
 Nikon D3200Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D3200 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2012-07-25 2009-12-09
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 3 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.2 x 15.4mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 357.3mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6016 x 4000 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max enhanced ISO 12800 -
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 9
Cross focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 921k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT LCD with 160� viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.53x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/200 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 505 gr (1.11 pounds) 632 gr (1.39 pounds)
Physical 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 score 81 66
DXO Color Depth score 24.1 21.9
DXO Dynamic range score 13.2 11.8
DXO Low light score 1131 807
Other
Battery life 540 photographs 480 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL14 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $530 $749