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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A100

Portability
72
Imaging
69
Features
70
Overall
69
Nikon D3500 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 front
Portability
64
Imaging
48
Features
38
Overall
44

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A100 Key Specs

Nikon D3500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 365g - 124 x 97 x 70mm
  • Announced August 2018
  • Superseded the Nikon D3400
Sony A100
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 638g - 133 x 95 x 71mm
  • Launched July 2006
  • Replaced the Konica Minolta 5D
  • Refreshed by Sony A550
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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A100 Overview

Here, we are looking at the Nikon D3500 versus Sony A100, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the sensor resolutions of the D3500 (24MP) and A100 (10MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D3500 was introduced 12 years later than the A100 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the D3500 scores vs the A100 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3500 over the Sony A100

 D3500 A100 
LaunchedAugust 2018July 2006More recent by 148 months
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A100 over the Nikon D3500

 A100 D3500 

Common features in the Nikon D3500 and Sony A100

 D3500 A100 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A100 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to lug around your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D3500 provides outside measurements of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 365 grams (0.80 lbs) whilst the Sony A100 has dimensions of 133mm x 95mm x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 638 grams (1.41 lbs).

Look at the Nikon D3500 versus Sony A100 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the D3500 compared to the A100.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A100 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D3500 and A100 is 72 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A100 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A100 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements merely by reading specs. The graphic here should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the D3500 and A100.

All in all, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Nikon D3500 to offer greater detail using its extra 14MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics way more aggressively. The more recent D3500 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A100 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A100 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D3500
Portrait photography with Sony A100
81
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
saves RAW files
52
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3500 as a Street photography camera
Sony A100 as a Street photography camera
69
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (365 grams)
great ISO range (25,600)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
64
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3500 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A100 as a Sports photography camera
70
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
better than average battery (1,550 shots)
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (5.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3500 Travel photography features
Sony A100 Travel photography features
71
better than average battery (1,550 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (365g)
supports bluetooth
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
45
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3500 Landscape photography info
Sony A100 Landscape photography info
75
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
great ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (1,550 shots)
no image stabilization
missing Time Lapse recording
53
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is small (2.5 inches)
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3500 Vlogging features
Sony A100 Vlogging features
31
includes face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (365g)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
missing external mic support
9
no video
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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3500 and Sony A100
 Nikon D3500Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D3500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2018-08-29 2006-07-31
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 4 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 6000 x 4000 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 25600 1600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.55x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m (at ISO 100) -
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, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 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) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 365 gr (0.80 lbs) 638 gr (1.41 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") 133 x 95 x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 61
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.2
DXO Low light score not tested 476
Other
Battery life 1550 photographs -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL14a NP-FM55H
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs (1-9 exposures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II)
Storage slots One One
Retail price $397 $1,000