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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A57

Portability
72
Imaging
69
Features
70
Overall
69
Nikon D3500 front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A57 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
  • Revealed August 2018
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D3400
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Introduced September 2012
  • Replaced the Sony A55
  • New Model is Sony A58
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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A57 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Nikon D3500 versus Sony A57, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the D3500 (24MP) and A57 (16MP) but they come with the exact same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The D3500 was introduced 6 years later than the A57 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick overview of how the D3500 grades against the A57 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3500 over the Sony A57

 D3500 A57 
IntroducedAugust 2018September 2012More recent by 73 months

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Nikon D3500

 A57 D3500 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon D3500 and Sony A57

 D3500 A57 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Screen resolution921k921kExact same screen resolution
Touch screen No Touch screen

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D3500 provides outside measurements of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 365 grams (0.80 lbs) whilst the Sony A57 has dimensions of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") along with a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Examine the Nikon D3500 versus Sony A57 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have at that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the D3500 compared to the A57.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A57 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the D3500 and A57 is 72 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to picture the difference in sensor measurements just by researching specifications. The photograph here will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the D3500 and A57.

To sum up, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Nikon D3500 to result in more detail using its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures much more aggressively. The fresher D3500 should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3500 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A57 as a Portrait photography camera
81
manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
74
manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3500 Street photography details
Sony A57 Street photography details
69
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than average in class (365g)
good high ISO (25,600)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
75
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3500 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A57 as a Sports photography camera
70
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features tracking focus
good battery power (1,550 shots)
has phase detect AF
slow fps (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
78
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
supports phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3500 Travel photography factors
Sony A57 Travel photography factors
71
good battery power (1,550 CIPA)
lighter than average in class (365 grams)
connects via bluetooth
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
67
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D3500
Landscape photography with Sony A57
75
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (1,550 CIPA)
no image stabilization
missing Timelapse function
72
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3500 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A57 as a Vlogging camera
31
features face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (365g)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
missing microphone jack
77
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone support
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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3500 and Sony A57
 Nikon D3500Sony SLT-A57
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D3500 Sony SLT-A57
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2018-08-29 2012-09-13
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 4 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 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 16000
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
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 Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT LCD Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0fps 12.0fps
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 (@ 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
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
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 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 365 grams (0.80 lbs) 618 grams (1.36 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 75
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 785
Other
Battery life 1550 images 550 images
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 shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $397 $1,000