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Nikon D3400 vs Sony A380

Portability
70
Imaging
68
Features
70
Overall
68
Nikon D3400 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
Portability
68
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Nikon D3400 vs Sony A380 Key Specs

Nikon D3400
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 395g - 124 x 98 x 76mm
  • Released August 2016
  • Replaced the Nikon D3300
  • Replacement is Nikon D3500
Sony A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched August 2009
  • Succeeded the Sony A350
  • Successor is Sony A390
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Nikon D3400 vs Sony A380 Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Nikon D3400 versus Sony A380, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the D3400 (24MP) and A380 (14MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The D3400 was unveiled 7 years later than the A380 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief summary of how the D3400 scores versus the A380 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3400 over the Sony A380

 D3400 A380 
LaunchedAugust 2016August 2009More recent by 85 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Nikon D3400

 A380 D3400 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Nikon D3400 and Sony A380

 D3400 A380 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Nikon D3400 vs Sony A380 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon D3400 has physical measurements of 124mm x 98mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 395 grams (0.87 lbs) while the Sony A380 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D3400 versus Sony A380 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 based on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the D3400 versus the A380.

Nikon D3400 vs Sony A380 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the D3400 and A380 is 70 and 68 respectively.

Nikon D3400 vs Sony A380 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3400 vs Sony A380 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to picture the contrast between sensor measurements simply by checking specs. The visual underneath will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the D3400 and A380.

All in all, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should expect the Nikon D3400 to resolve extra detail having an extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The younger D3400 should have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D3400 vs Sony A380 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3400 vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3400 vs Sony A380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D3400
Portrait photography with Sony A380
80
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
72
focusing manually
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3400 Street photography highlights
Sony A380 Street photography highlights
68
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than others (395 grams)
good high ISO (25,600)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
77
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3400 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A380 as a Sports photography camera
69
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
good battery life (1,200 per charge)
has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
60
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
not so great battery life (500 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3400 Travel photography info
Sony A380 Travel photography info
70
good battery life (1,200 shots)
lighter than others (395 grams)
has bluetooth
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
54
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
not so great battery life (500 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3400 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A380 as a Landscape photography camera
75
focusing manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is decent (3")
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (1,200 shots)
no image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse mode
61
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
small screen (2.7 inch)
not so great battery life (500 CIPA)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3400 Vlogging highlights
Sony A380 Vlogging highlights
30
comes with face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (395g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
does not have mic jack
9
lack of video recording
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Nikon D3400 vs Sony A380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3400 and Sony A380
 Nikon D3400Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D3400 Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2016-08-17 2009-08-24
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 4 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 9
Cross focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.49x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/200 secs 1/160 secs
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 395 grams (0.87 lb) 519 grams (1.14 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 98 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0") 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 86 67
DXO Color Depth score 24.8 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score 13.9 11.8
DXO Low light score 1192 614
Other
Battery life 1200 images 500 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL14a NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs (1-9 exposures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots One One
Price at release $397 $899