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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A230

Portability
72
Imaging
69
Features
70
Overall
69
Nikon D3500 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Nikon D3500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 365g - 124 x 97 x 70mm
  • Introduced August 2018
  • Replaced the Nikon D3400
Sony A230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 490g - 128 x 97 x 68mm
  • Announced May 2009
  • Succeeded the Sony A200
  • Newer Model is Sony A290
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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A230 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Nikon D3500 and Sony A230, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the resolutions of the D3500 (24MP) and A230 (10MP) but they use the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The D3500 was revealed 9 years later than the A230 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a short introduction of how the D3500 matches up vs the A230 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3500 over the Sony A230

 D3500 A230 
AnnouncedAugust 2018May 2009More recent by 113 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Nikon D3500

 A230 D3500 

Common features in the Nikon D3500 and Sony A230

 D3500 A230 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon D3500 offers physical measurements of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 365 grams (0.80 lbs) whilst the Sony A230 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") along with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Look at the Nikon D3500 and Sony A230 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the D3500 against the A230.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the D3500 and A230 is 72 and 69 respectively.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to see the contrast between sensor measurements purely by reading specs. The graphic underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the D3500 and A230.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Nikon D3500 to offer more detail because of its extra 14 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots much more aggressively. The more modern D3500 will have an advantage in sensor technology.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3500 Portrait photography advice
Sony A230 Portrait photography advice
81
manual focus
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
exports RAW files
54
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
low MP (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3500 Street photography features
Sony A230 Street photography features
69
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than average in class (365 grams)
very good ISO range (25,600)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3500 Sports photography information
Sony A230 Sports photography information
70
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
great battery power (1,550 shots)
has phase detect auto focus
low fps (5.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
46
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low MP (10 megapixels)
terrible battery (230 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3500 Travel photography info
Sony A230 Travel photography info
71
great battery power (1,550 per charge)
lighter than average in class (365g)
connects via bluetooth
megapixel count decent (24MP)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
45
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse recording
terrible battery (230 shots)
low MP (10MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3500 Landscape photography factors
Sony A230 Landscape photography factors
75
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
great battery power (1,550 shots)
no image stabilization
missing Time Lapse function
51
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no liveview feature
low MP (10MP)
terrible battery (230 per charge)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3500 Vlogging info
Sony A230 Vlogging info
31
supports face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (365 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
missing mic port
9
can't record video
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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3500 and Sony A230
 Nikon D3500Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D3500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2018-08-29 2009-05-18
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 4 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6000 x 4000 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m
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 Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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 file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 365 gr (0.80 lb) 490 gr (1.08 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 63
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.4
DXO Low light score not tested 531
Other
Battery life 1550 images 230 images
Battery type 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
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $397 $569