Nikon D3400 vs Sony a3500
70 Imaging
66 Features
70 Overall
67


69 Imaging
62 Features
54 Overall
58
Nikon D3400 vs Sony a3500 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed August 2016
- Succeeded the Nikon D3300
- Updated by Nikon D3500
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 16000
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
- Announced March 2014
- Succeeded the Sony A3000

Nikon D3400 vs Sony a3500 Overview
Let's look closer at the Nikon D3400 versus Sony a3500, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the D3400 (24MP) and the a3500 (20MP) is pretty well matched and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).

The D3400 was released 2 years after the a3500 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Nikon D3400 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony a3500 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a simple summary of how the D3400 scores versus the a3500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon D3400 vs Sony a3500 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D3400 & Sony Alpha a3500. The complete galleries are viewable at Nikon D3400 Gallery & Sony a3500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D3400 over the Sony a3500
D3400 | a3500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | August 2016 | ![]() | March 2014 | Newer by 30 months |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony a3500 over the Nikon D3400
a3500 | D3400 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon D3400 and Sony a3500
D3400 | a3500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Nikon D3400 vs Sony a3500 Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to travel with your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon D3400 features external measurements of 124mm x 98mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 395 grams (0.87 lbs) whilst the Sony a3500 has measurements of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") along with a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).
Examine the Nikon D3400 versus Sony a3500 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the D3400 and the a3500.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the D3400 and a3500 is 70 and 69 respectively.

Nikon D3400 vs Sony a3500 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is difficult to see the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reading through a spec sheet. The picture below should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the D3400 and a3500.
As you can see, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Nikon D3400 to resolve more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The younger D3400 will have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D3400 vs Sony a3500 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3400 vs Sony a3500 Specifications
Nikon D3400 | Sony Alpha a3500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon D3400 | Sony Alpha a3500 |
Category | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2016-08-17 | 2014-03-21 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Expeed 4 | BIONZ image |
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 | 20 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 6000 x 4000 | 5456 x 3632 |
Highest native ISO | 25600 | 16000 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 25 |
Cross type focus points | 1 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Nikon F | Sony E |
Amount of lenses | 309 | 121 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 921 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.56x | 0.47x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 5.0fps | 4.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 7.00 m (at ISO 100) | 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100) |
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 | Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync. |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/200 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
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) | 1920 x 1080 |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD, 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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 395 grams (0.87 lb) | 411 grams (0.91 lb) |
Dimensions | 124 x 98 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0") | 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 86 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 24.8 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 13.9 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 1192 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 1200 photographs | 470 photographs |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL14a | NP-FW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs (1-9 exposures)) | Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | - |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Cost at release | $397 | $398 |