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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A560

Portability
72
Imaging
69
Features
70
Overall
69
Nikon D3500 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A560 front
Portability
64
Imaging
54
Features
78
Overall
63

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A560 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 A560
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Released August 2010
  • Previous Model is Sony A500
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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A560 Overview

The following is a complete analysis of the Nikon D3500 and Sony A560, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. There exists a big gap between the image resolutions of the D3500 (24MP) and A560 (14MP) but they come with the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D3500 was launched 8 years after the A560 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple summation of how the D3500 grades against the A560 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3500 over the Sony A560

 D3500 A560 
ReleasedAugust 2018August 2010Newer by 98 months

Reasons to pick Sony A560 over the Nikon D3500

 A560 D3500 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k921kSharper display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D3500 and Sony A560

 D3500 A560 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A560 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon D3500 features external dimensions of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 365 grams (0.80 lbs) while the Sony A560 has sizing of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon D3500 and Sony A560 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the D3500 against the A560.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A560 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D3500 and A560 is 72 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A560 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A560 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to picture the difference between sensor dimensions only by going over technical specs. The image below may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the D3500 and A560.

As you have seen, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You should expect to see the Nikon D3500 to offer more detail utilizing its extra 10MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more modern D3500 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A560 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A560 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A560 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3500 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A560 as a Portrait photography camera
81
manual focus
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detection focus
saves RAW files
72
manual focus
MP count decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3500 as a Street photography camera
Sony A560 as a Street photography camera
69
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (365 grams)
above average ISO range (25,600)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
75
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3500 Sports photography info
Sony A560 Sports photography info
70
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
better than average battery (1,550 CIPA)
has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good battery pack (1,050 per charge)
has phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3500 Travel photography info
Sony A560 Travel photography info
71
better than average battery (1,550 CIPA)
lighter than competitors in class (365 grams)
connects via bluetooth
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
60
good battery pack (1,050 shots)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D3500
Landscape photography with Sony A560
75
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (1,550 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse mode
73
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (1,050 CIPA)
has dual storage slots
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3500 Vlogging info
Sony A560 Vlogging info
31
has face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (365g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
no external mic socket
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic jack
screen is not selfie friendly
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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A560 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3500 and Sony A560
 Nikon D3500Sony Alpha DSLR-A560
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D3500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A560
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2018-08-29 2010-08-24
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 4 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 921k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.53x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 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, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 seconds
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 365 gr (0.80 lbs) 599 gr (1.32 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 70
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 817
Other
Battery life 1550 shots 1050 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14a NP-FM500H
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/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Two
Pricing at release $397 $650