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Nikon D3400 vs Sony a3500

Portability
70
Imaging
66
Features
70
Overall
67
Nikon D3400 front
 
Sony Alpha a3500 front
Portability
69
Imaging
62
Features
54
Overall
58

Nikon D3400 vs Sony a3500 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
  • Revealed August 2016
  • Succeeded the Nikon D3300
  • Updated by Nikon D3500
Sony a3500
(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
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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).

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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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3400 over the Sony a3500

 D3400 a3500 
AnnouncedAugust 2016March 2014Newer by 30 months
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper 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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon D3400 vs Sony a3500 size comparison

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

Nikon D3400 vs Sony a3500 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3400 vs Sony a3500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3400 vs Sony a3500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3400 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony a3500 as a Portrait photography camera
79
focusing manually
MP count decent (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW files
77
you can focus manually
decent MP (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3400 Street photography factors
Sony a3500 Street photography factors
67
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than competitors (395 grams)
above average high ISO (25,600)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
56
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
more heavy than others in class (411g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D3400
Sports photography with Sony a3500
68
MP count decent (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
great battery power (1,200 CIPA)
supports phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
59
decent MP (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
great battery pack (470 shots)
low fps (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D3400
Travel photography with Sony a3500
69
great battery power (1,200 shots)
lighter than competitors (395 grams)
supports bluetooth
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
60
great battery pack (470 per charge)
decent MP (20MP)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than others in class (411 grams)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3400 Landscape photography information
Sony a3500 Landscape photography information
74
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
great battery power (1,200 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse mode
70
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3")
decent MP (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (470 shots)
no image stabilization
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3400 Vlogging highlights
Sony a3500 Vlogging highlights
30
includes face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (395 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
missing mic socket
26
has face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
does not have external microphone support
more heavy than others in class (411g)
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Nikon D3400 vs Sony a3500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3400 and Sony a3500
 Nikon D3400Sony 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