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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A65

Portability
72
Imaging
69
Features
70
Overall
69
Nikon D3500 front
 
Sony SLT-A65 front
Portability
64
Imaging
63
Features
85
Overall
71

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A65 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
  • Succeeded the Nikon D3400
Sony A65
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 622g - 132 x 97 x 81mm
  • Launched November 2011
  • Newer Model is Sony A68
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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A65 Overview

Here is a complete review of the Nikon D3500 and Sony A65, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the D3500 (24MP) and the A65 (24MP) is relatively similar and both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The D3500 was manufactured 6 years later than the A65 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before going right into a full comparison, here is a simple summation of how the D3500 scores vs the A65 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3500 over the Sony A65

 D3500 A65 
LaunchedAugust 2018November 2011Fresher by 83 months

Reasons to pick Sony A65 over the Nikon D3500

 A65 D3500 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Nikon D3500 and Sony A65

 D3500 A65 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Screen resolution921k921kExact same screen resolution
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A65 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon D3500 comes with outside dimensions of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 365 grams (0.80 lbs) while the Sony A65 has proportions of 132mm x 97mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") having a weight of 622 grams (1.37 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D3500 and Sony A65 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have at the time. Below is a front view size comparison of the D3500 against the A65.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A65 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the D3500 and A65 is 72 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A65 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A65 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizing merely by going over specifications. The visual here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the D3500 and A65.

To sum up, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same exact resolution therefore you can expect similar quality of pictures however you really should factor the launch date of the products into consideration. The younger D3500 should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A65 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A65 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3500 vs Sony A65 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3500 Portrait photography factors
Sony A65 Portrait photography factors
81
focusing manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focus
exports RAW formats
77
manual focus
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D3500
Street photography with Sony A65
69
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than average (365g)
very good ISO range (25,600)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
77
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D3500
Sports photography with Sony A65
70
good resolution (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
good battery power (1,550 shots)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
81
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3500 Travel photography information
Sony A65 Travel photography information
71
good battery power (1,550 CIPA)
lighter than average (365g)
supports bluetooth
good resolution (24MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
68
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
missing Timelapse mode
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D3500
Landscape photography with Sony A65
75
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
no low pass filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (1,550 per charge)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
75
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3500 Vlogging advice
Sony A65 Vlogging advice
31
has face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (365 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
doesn't have mic port
78
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone jack
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Nikon D3500 vs Sony A65 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3500 and Sony A65
 Nikon D3500Sony SLT-A65
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D3500 Sony SLT-A65
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2018-08-29 2011-11-15
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 4 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
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
Amount of lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.73x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m
Flash settings 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 365g (0.80 lbs) 622g (1.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") 132 x 97 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 74
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 717
Other
Battery life 1550 shots 560 shots
Battery format 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
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $397 $700