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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A55

Portability
72
Imaging
69
Features
70
Overall
69
Nikon D3500 front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A55 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
  • Superseded the Nikon D3400
Sony A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Introduced August 2010
  • Updated by Sony A57
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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A55 Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Nikon D3500 versus Sony A55, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the D3500 (24MP) and A55 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D3500 was revealed 8 years later than the A55 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before delving through a in depth comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the D3500 matches up against the A55 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3500 over the Sony A55

 D3500 A55 
IntroducedAugust 2018August 2010Fresher by 98 months

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Nikon D3500

 A55 D3500 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon D3500 and Sony A55

 D3500 A55 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution921k921kEqual screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera, you are going to need to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon D3500 comes with outer dimensions of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 365 grams (0.80 lbs) whilst the Sony A55 has proportions of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") with a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Look at the Nikon D3500 versus Sony A55 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the D3500 and the A55.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A55 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the D3500 and A55 is 72 and 67 respectively.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizing purely by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic here may provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D3500 and A55.

Clearly, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Nikon D3500 to render greater detail because of its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more recent D3500 will have an edge in sensor technology.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3500 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A55 as a Portrait photography camera
81
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
73
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3500 as a Street photography camera
Sony A55 as a Street photography camera
69
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than average in class (365 grams)
good ISO range (25,600)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
77
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3500 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A55 as a Sports photography camera
70
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
better than average battery life (1,550 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second low (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
bad battery life (380 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D3500
Travel photography with Sony A55
71
better than average battery life (1,550 shots)
lighter than average in class (365g)
has bluetooth
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
62
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
lack of Time Lapse function
bad battery life (380 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D3500
Landscape photography with Sony A55
75
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no low pass filter
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (1,550 shots)
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse recording
67
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
bad battery life (380 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3500 Vlogging information
Sony A55 Vlogging information
31
supports face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (365 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
missing external mic jack
78
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external mic port
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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3500 and Sony A55
 Nikon D3500Sony SLT-A55
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D3500 Sony SLT-A55
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2018-08-29 2010-08-24
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 24MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 921k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150k dot
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.73x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
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
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160s
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 365g (0.80 lb) 500g (1.10 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 73
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 816
Other
Battery life 1550 photographs 380 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL14a NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs (1-9 exposures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $397 $800