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Nikon D3300 vs Sony A500

Portability
69
Imaging
65
Features
72
Overall
67
Nikon D3300 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Nikon D3300 vs Sony A500 Key Specs

Nikon D3300
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 430g - 124 x 98 x 76mm
  • Launched April 2014
  • Previous Model is Nikon D3200
  • Newer Model is Nikon D3400
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
  • Released August 2009
  • Replacement is Sony A560
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Nikon D3300 vs Sony A500 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Nikon D3300 vs Sony A500, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the D3300 (24MP) and A500 (12MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor size (APS-C).

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The D3300 was announced 4 years later than the A500 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the D3300 grades versus the A500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3300 over the Sony A500

 D3300 A500 
ReleasedApril 2014August 2009More recent by 57 months
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Nikon D3300

 A500 D3300 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Nikon D3300 and Sony A500

 D3300 A500 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Nikon D3300 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D3300 features physical measurements of 124mm x 98mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 430 grams (0.95 lbs) whilst the Sony A500 has dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

See the Nikon D3300 vs Sony A500 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the D3300 compared to the A500.

Nikon D3300 vs Sony A500 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the D3300 and A500 is 69 and 63 respectively.

Nikon D3300 vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3300 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to envision the contrast between sensor measurements only by going over specs. The visual here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the D3300 and A500.

As you can plainly see, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Nikon D3300 to offer you extra detail with its extra 12MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The fresher D3300 will have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3300 vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3300 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3300 vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3300 Portrait photography information
Sony A500 Portrait photography information
79
has manual focus
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detect focus
exports RAW formats
63
has manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3300 Street photography advice
Sony A500 Street photography advice
64
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than others (430 grams)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
74
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3300 Sports photography details
Sony A500 Sports photography details
68
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features tracking focus
good battery power (700 CIPA)
has phase detect auto focus
max fps low (5.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
51
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12MP)
terrible battery (520 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Nikon D3300 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A500 as a Travel photography camera
67
good battery power (700 CIPA)
lighter than others (430 grams)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
43
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
terrible battery (520 per charge)
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3300 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A500 as a Landscape photography camera
72
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is decent (3")
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no low pass filter
exports RAW formats
good battery power (700 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse recording
60
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
terrible battery (520 shots)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3300 Vlogging factors
Sony A500 Vlogging factors
33
features face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has mic jack
lighter than others (430 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
9
can't shoot video
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Nikon D3300 vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3300 and Sony A500
 Nikon D3300Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D3300 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2014-04-21 2009-08-27
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 4 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6000 x 4000 4272 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 9
Cross focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT LCD (160 degree viewing angle) -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.53x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, Auto slow sync, Auto slow sync with red-eye reduction, Auto with red-eye reduction, Fill-flash, Off, Rear-curtain sync, Rear-curtain with slow sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p fps), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 430 grams (0.95 pounds) 630 grams (1.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 98 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 82 64
DXO Color Depth score 24.3 21.8
DXO Dynamic range score 12.8 11.6
DXO Low light score 1385 772
Other
Battery life 700 images 520 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL14a NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs (1-9 exposures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $500 $638