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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A290

Portability
72
Imaging
69
Features
70
Overall
69
Nikon D3500 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A290 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
  • Launched August 2018
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D3400
Sony A290
(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
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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).

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The 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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3500 over the Sony A290

 D3500 A290 
AnnouncedAugust 2018June 2010Fresher by 101 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D3500 and A290 is 72 and 66 respectively.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3500 Portrait photography features
Sony A290 Portrait photography features
81
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
65
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3500 Street photography factors
Sony A290 Street photography factors
69
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
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D3500
Sports photography with Sony A290
70
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
55
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)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3500 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A290 as a Travel photography camera
71
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
53
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
bad battery (290 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3500 Landscape photography advice
Sony A290 Landscape photography advice
75
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
58
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
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3500 Vlogging features
Sony A290 Vlogging features
31
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
9
lack of video recording
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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3500 and Sony A290
 Nikon D3500Sony 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