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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A580

Portability
72
Imaging
69
Features
70
Overall
69
Nikon D3500 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 front
Portability
64
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A580 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
  • Released August 2018
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D3400
Sony A580
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Announced May 2011
  • Older Model is Sony A100
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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A580 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Nikon D3500 vs Sony A580, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the D3500 (24MP) and A580 (16MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The D3500 was introduced 7 years later than the A580 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before diving through a thorough comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the D3500 grades vs the A580 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3500 over the Sony A580

 D3500 A580 
AnnouncedAugust 2018May 2011Fresher by 89 months

Reasons to pick Sony A580 over the Nikon D3500

 A580 D3500 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution922k921kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D3500 and Sony A580

 D3500 A580 
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A580 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon D3500 has got external dimensions of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 365 grams (0.80 lbs) and the Sony A580 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D3500 vs Sony A580 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you use during that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the D3500 versus the A580.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A580 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the D3500 and A580 is 72 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A580 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A580 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing purely by looking at technical specs. The graphic underneath should give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the D3500 and A580.

As you have seen, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Nikon D3500 to give greater detail using its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The newer D3500 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A580 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A580 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A580 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3500 Portrait photography details
Sony A580 Portrait photography details
81
focusing manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
73
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3500 Street photography advice
Sony A580 Street photography advice
69
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (365g)
above average ISO range (25,600)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
75
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3500 Sports photography highlights
Sony A580 Sports photography highlights
70
good resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
great battery power (1,550 CIPA)
supports phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
78
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (1,050 per charge)
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3500 Travel photography advice
Sony A580 Travel photography advice
71
great battery power (1,550 shots)
lighter than competitors in class (365g)
connects via bluetooth
good resolution (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
60
better than average battery power (1,050 CIPA)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3500 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A580 Landscape photography highlights
75
focusing manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
good resolution (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no low pass filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
great battery power (1,550 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse recording
73
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
better than average battery power (1,050 CIPA)
has dual storage slots
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3500 Vlogging highlights
Sony A580 Vlogging highlights
31
supports face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (365 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
missing external mic socket
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic jack
display is not selfie friendly
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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A580 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3500 and Sony A580
 Nikon D3500Sony Alpha DSLR-A580
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D3500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A580
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2018-08-29 2011-05-26
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip 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 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 6000 x 4000 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
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 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.53x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash options 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
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 365g (0.80 lb) 599g (1.32 lb)
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 All around rating not tested 80
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 1121
Other
Battery life 1550 pictures 1050 pictures
Type 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 recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One Two
Retail cost $397 $848