Nikon D3500 vs Sony A290
Portability
72 Imaging
68 Features
70 Overall
68
72 Imaging
68 Features
70 Overall
68
Portability
66 Imaging
53 Features
47 Overall
50
66 Imaging
53 Features
47 Overall
50
Nikon D3500 vs Sony A290 Key Specs
Nikon D3500
(Full Review)
(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
- Launched August 2018
- Earlier Model is Nikon D3400
Sony A290
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
- Announced June 2010
- Older Model is Sony A230
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone Nikon D3500 vs Sony A290 Overview
In this write-up, we are evaluating the Nikon D3500 versus Sony A290, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the D3500 (24MP) and A290 (14MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe D3500 was launched 8 years later than the A290 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).
Before going straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a short highlight of how the D3500 grades vs the A290 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images Nikon D3500 vs Sony A290 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon D3500 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. The complete galleries are viewable at Nikon D3500 Gallery & Sony A290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D3500 over the Sony A290
| D3500 | A290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | August 2018 |  | June 2010 | Fresher by 101 months |
| Display sizing | 3" |  | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
| Display resolution | 921k |  | 230k | Clearer display (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Nikon D3500
| A290 | D3500 |
|---|
Common features in the Nikon D3500 and Sony A290
| D3500 | A290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus |  | Very exact focusing | ||
| Display type | Fixed |  | Fixed | Fixed display |
| Selfie screen |  | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
| Touch display |  | Neither comes with Touch display |
Nikon D3500 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison
For those who are planning to carry your camera, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon D3500 comes with outside dimensions of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 365 grams (0.80 lbs) while the Sony A290 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") along with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).
Examine the Nikon D3500 versus Sony A290 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select at that moment. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the D3500 against the A290.
Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D3500 and A290 is 72 and 66 respectively.
Nikon D3500 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's hard to picture the contrast between sensor sizing only by checking technical specs. The visual below will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the D3500 and A290.
As you can tell, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can anticipate the Nikon D3500 to give you extra detail utilizing its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images a little more aggressively. The fresher D3500 provides an edge in sensor innovation.
Nikon D3500 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Glossary Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Nikon D3500 Portrait photography features
Sony A290 Portrait photography features
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsStreet Comparison
Nikon D3500 Street photography factors
Sony A290 Street photography factors
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than others in class (365 grams)
good high ISO (25,600)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banSports Comparison
Sports photography with Nikon D3500
Sports photography with Sony A290
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
better than average battery (1,550 per charge)
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (5.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
bad battery (290 CIPA)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideTravel Comparison
Nikon D3500 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A290 as a Travel photography camera
better than average battery (1,550 per charge)
lighter than others in class (365 grams)
supports bluetooth
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
bad battery (290 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesLandscape Comparison
Nikon D3500 Landscape photography advice
Sony A290 Landscape photography advice
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
decent megapixels (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (1,550 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse function
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
doesn't have liveview
bad battery (290 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoVlogging Comparison
Nikon D3500 Vlogging features
Sony A290 Vlogging features
offers face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (365 grams)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have microphone jack
lack of video recording
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
Nikon D3500 vs Sony A290 Specifications
| Nikon D3500 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Nikon | Sony |
| Model type | Nikon D3500 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 |
| Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Launched | 2018-08-29 | 2010-06-09 |
| Physical type | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | 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 area | 366.6mm² | 369.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 24 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Maximum resolution | 6000 x 4000 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 3200 |
| Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW pictures | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detection focus | ||
| Contract detection focus | ||
| Phase detection focus | ||
| Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | Nikon F | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Number of lenses | 309 | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen sizing | 3" | 2.7" |
| Screen resolution | 921k dots | 230k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch friendly | ||
| Screen tech | TFT LCD | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 95 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.56x | 0.55x |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Continuous shooting rate | 5.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 7.00 m (at ISO 100) | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| Flash settings | 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 |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Maximum flash synchronize | - | 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 support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| 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 proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 365g (0.80 lb) | 549g (1.21 lb) |
| Dimensions | 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") | 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around rating | not tested | 66 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.6 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.5 |
| DXO Low light rating | not tested | 615 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 1550 photos | 290 photos |
| Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | EN-EL14a | NP-FH50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs (1-9 exposures)) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Launch price | $397 | $600 |