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Nikon D3200 vs Sony A57

Portability
67
Imaging
64
Features
63
Overall
63
Nikon D3200 front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A57 Key Specs

Nikon D3200
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 12800)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 505g - 125 x 96 x 77mm
  • Announced July 2012
  • Old Model is Nikon D3100
  • Newer Model is Nikon D3300
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Released September 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony A55
  • Refreshed by Sony A58
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Nikon D3200 vs Sony A57 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Nikon D3200 vs Sony A57, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the D3200 (24MP) and A57 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The D3200 was launched at a similar time to the A57 so they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a concise overview of how the D3200 matches up versus the A57 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3200 over the Sony A57

 D3200 A57 

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Nikon D3200

 A57 D3200 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon D3200 and Sony A57

 D3200 A57 
ReleasedJuly 2012September 2012Same age
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Screen resolution921k921kThe same screen resolution
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and size. The Nikon D3200 provides physical measurements 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 A57 has specifications of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") having a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D3200 vs Sony A57 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the D3200 compared to the A57.

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A57 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the D3200 and A57 is 67 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to envision the gap in sensor measurements merely by researching specifications. The photograph here will offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the D3200 and A57.

To sum up, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Nikon D3200 to render extra detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots far more aggressively.

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3200 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A57 as a Portrait photography camera
78
you can focus manually
MP count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detection focus
saves RAW files
74
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3200 as a Street photography camera
Sony A57 as a Street photography camera
60
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
fixed screen
no image stabilization
75
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Nikon D3200 Sports photography details
Sony A57 Sports photography details
65
MP count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
has phase detect auto focus
max fps low (4.0 fps)
no image stabilization
78
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3200 Travel photography factors
Sony A57 Travel photography factors
59
MP count good (24MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
67
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3200 Landscape photography info
Sony A57 Landscape photography info
69
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3")
MP count good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
72
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3200 Vlogging information
Sony A57 Vlogging information
27
features face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
doesn't have external mic port
77
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic support
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Nikon D3200 vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3200 and Sony A57
 Nikon D3200Sony SLT-A57
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D3200 Sony SLT-A57
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2012-07-25 2012-09-13
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 3 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.2 x 15.4mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 357.3mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6016 x 4000 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 16000
Maximum enhanced ISO 12800 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
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
Number of focus points 11 15
Cross focus points 1 3
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 921k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT LCD with 160� viewing angle Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per second 12.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
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
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 505 grams (1.11 lb) 618 grams (1.36 lb)
Dimensions 125 x 96 x 77mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 81 75
DXO Color Depth score 24.1 23.4
DXO Dynamic range score 13.2 13.0
DXO Low light score 1131 785
Other
Battery life 540 photographs 550 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
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $530 $1,000