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Nikon D3400 vs Sony A230

Portability
70
Imaging
67
Features
70
Overall
68
Nikon D3400 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Nikon D3400 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Nikon D3400
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 395g - 124 x 98 x 76mm
  • Released August 2016
  • Older Model is Nikon D3300
  • Updated by Nikon D3500
Sony A230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 490g - 128 x 97 x 68mm
  • Launched May 2009
  • Succeeded the Sony A200
  • Later Model is Sony A290
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Nikon D3400 vs Sony A230 Overview

Here is a comprehensive assessment of the Nikon D3400 versus Sony A230, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. There exists a huge gap among the sensor resolutions of the D3400 (24MP) and A230 (10MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The D3400 was unveiled 7 years later than the A230 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a brief view of how the D3400 matches up versus the A230 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D3400 over the Sony A230

 D3400 A230 
LaunchedAugust 2016May 2009Fresher by 89 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Nikon D3400

 A230 D3400 

Common features in the Nikon D3400 and Sony A230

 D3400 A230 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Nikon D3400 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon D3400 has got physical dimensions of 124mm x 98mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 395 grams (0.87 lbs) and the Sony A230 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D3400 versus Sony A230 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the D3400 and the A230.

Nikon D3400 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D3400 and A230 is 70 and 69 respectively.

Nikon D3400 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3400 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizing merely by researching specs. The photograph here will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the D3400 and A230.

All in all, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Nikon D3400 to render more detail having an extra 14MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs more aggressively. The younger D3400 provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Nikon D3400 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3400 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3400 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3400 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A230 as a Portrait photography camera
80
you can focus manually
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
saves RAW files
54
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview feature
sensor resolution low (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3400 Street photography highlights
Sony A230 Street photography highlights
68
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition (395 grams)
above average high ISO (25,600)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3400 Sports photography features
Sony A230 Sports photography features
69
good megapixels (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
better than average battery (1,200 shots)
has phase detect auto focus
low fps (5.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
46
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
bad battery pack (230 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3400 Travel photography factors
Sony A230 Travel photography factors
69
better than average battery (1,200 shots)
lighter than competition (395g)
has bluetooth
good megapixels (24MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
45
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
bad battery pack (230 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3400 Landscape photography features
Sony A230 Landscape photography features
74
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (1,200 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse function
51
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no liveview feature
sensor resolution low (10MP)
bad battery pack (230 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3400 Vlogging info
Sony A230 Vlogging info
30
supports face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (395g)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone socket
9
can't record video
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Nikon D3400 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3400 and Sony A230
 Nikon D3400Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D3400 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2016-08-17 2009-05-18
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 4 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 3872 x 2592
Highest native ISO 25600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 9
Cross type focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m
Flash modes 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, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video 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 395g (0.87 lb) 490g (1.08 lb)
Physical dimensions 124 x 98 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 86 63
DXO Color Depth rating 24.8 22.3
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.9 11.4
DXO Low light rating 1192 531
Other
Battery life 1200 photographs 230 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14a NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs (1-9 exposures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots One One
Retail cost $397 $569