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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A380

Portability
72
Imaging
69
Features
70
Overall
69
Nikon D3500 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
Portability
68
Imaging
53
Features
54
Overall
53

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A380 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
  • Revealed August 2018
  • Older Model is Nikon D3400
Sony A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced August 2009
  • Succeeded the Sony A350
  • Replacement is Sony A390
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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A380 Overview

Here is a thorough review of the Nikon D3500 vs Sony A380, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the D3500 (24MP) and A380 (14MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D3500 was revealed 9 years later than the A380 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before getting into a in depth comparison, here is a brief overview of how the D3500 grades vs the A380 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3500 over the Sony A380

 D3500 A380 
IntroducedAugust 2018August 2009Fresher by 110 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Nikon D3500

 A380 D3500 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Nikon D3500 and Sony A380

 D3500 A380 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A380 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon D3500 has got outside dimensions of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 365 grams (0.80 lbs) while the Sony A380 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D3500 vs Sony A380 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the D3500 vs the A380.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A380 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D3500 and A380 is 72 and 68 respectively.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A380 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A380 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to see the gap in sensor sizing simply by seeing specs. The visual underneath will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the D3500 and A380.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Nikon D3500 to provide greater detail because of its extra 10MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures way more aggressively. The more recent D3500 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A380 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3500 Portrait photography features
Sony A380 Portrait photography features
81
has manual focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
supports RAW files
71
manual focus
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3500 Street photography highlights
Sony A380 Street photography highlights
69
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lighter than others in class (365 grams)
great ISO range (25,600)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
76
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3500 Sports photography factors
Sony A380 Sports photography factors
70
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
good battery pack (1,550 CIPA)
has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
59
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
slow frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
low battery power (500 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3500 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A380 as a Travel photography camera
71
good battery pack (1,550 per charge)
lighter than others in class (365 grams)
has bluetooth
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
53
good MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
low battery power (500 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D3500
Landscape photography with Sony A380
75
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
great ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (1,550 shots)
no image stabilization
missing Timelapse recording
61
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
low battery power (500 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D3500
Vlogging with Sony A380
31
includes face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (365 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
missing external microphone support
9
lack of video recording
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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3500 and Sony A380
 Nikon D3500Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D3500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2018-08-29 2009-08-24
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 4 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 6000 x 4000 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 25600 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.49x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
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
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
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
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 365g (0.80 lb) 519g (1.14 lb)
Physical dimensions 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 67
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 614
Other
Battery life 1550 photos 500 photos
Style of battery 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
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail price $397 $899