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Nikon D3400 vs Sony A500

Portability
70
Imaging
67
Features
70
Overall
68
Nikon D3400 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Nikon D3400 vs Sony A500 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
  • Launched August 2016
  • Replaced the Nikon D3300
  • Renewed by Nikon D3500
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 D3400 vs Sony A500 Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Nikon D3400 vs Sony A500, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the D3400 (24MP) and A500 (12MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The D3400 was introduced 7 years later than the A500 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before going into a complete comparison, here is a simple summary of how the D3400 matches up vs the A500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3400 over the Sony A500

 D3400 A500 
ReleasedAugust 2016August 2009Fresher by 85 months
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Nikon D3400

 A500 D3400 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Nikon D3400 and Sony A500

 D3400 A500 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Nikon D3400 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera often, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D3400 has exterior measurements of 124mm x 98mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 395 grams (0.87 lbs) and 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).

Analyze the Nikon D3400 vs Sony A500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use at that time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the D3400 versus the A500.

Nikon D3400 vs Sony A500 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the D3400 and A500 is 70 and 63 respectively.

Nikon D3400 vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3400 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizing purely by going through specifications. The graphic here might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the D3400 and A500.

Plainly, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Nikon D3400 to show more detail using its extra 12MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics way more aggressively. The newer D3400 will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3400 vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3400 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3400 vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3400 Portrait photography factors
Sony A500 Portrait photography factors
80
has manual focus
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
saves RAW files
63
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D3400
Street photography with Sony A500
68
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than average (395g)
above average high ISO (25,600)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
74
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3400 Sports photography factors
Sony A500 Sports photography factors
69
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
good battery (1,200 CIPA)
has phase detect auto focus
low fps (5.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
51
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (520 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3400 Travel photography features
Sony A500 Travel photography features
69
good battery (1,200 shots)
lighter than average (395g)
supports bluetooth
resolution is good (24MP)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
43
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
terrible battery (520 CIPA)
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3400 Landscape photography features
Sony A500 Landscape photography features
74
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no low pass filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
good battery (1,200 shots)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse function
60
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
terrible battery (520 shots)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3400 Vlogging information
Sony A500 Vlogging information
30
provides face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (395 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone socket
9
no video
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Nikon D3400 vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3400 and Sony A500
 Nikon D3400Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D3400 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2016-08-17 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 25600 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 9
Cross focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 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 0.53x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.00 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
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 data 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 395 gr (0.87 lb) 630 gr (1.39 lb)
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 86 64
DXO Color Depth score 24.8 21.8
DXO Dynamic range score 13.9 11.6
DXO Low light score 1192 772
Other
Battery life 1200 pictures 520 pictures
Form 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 feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Price at launch $397 $638