Nikon D5600 vs Sony SLT-A35: An Expert’s Dive Into Two Entry-Level DSLRs

Choosing your next camera - especially when shopping in the entry-level DSLR realm - often feels like navigating a maze with infectious excitement and a dash of choice paralysis. Today, we’re putting two contenders face-to-face: Nikon’s D5600, a relatively fresh (2016) breed designed to woo the enthusiast crowd, and Sony’s SLT-A35, a 2011 model that broke ground with its translucent mirror tech. Both claim compactness and versatility, but how do they stack up when you roll up the sleeves and truly put them through their paces across photography disciplines? Pull up a chair - I’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from pixel peeping and autofocus gymnastics to ergonomics and real-world shooting vibes.

Let's get physical first, shall we?

Getting a Grip: Size, Weight, and Handling

Photography isn’t just about megapixels - comfort behind the camera counts big time. The D5600 measures 124x97x70mm and weighs 465 grams; the Sony A35 is almost identical in footprint at 124x92x85mm but a tad lighter, tipping the scales at 415 grams. What stands out is Sony’s slightly chunkier grip depth but narrower width.

Having handled both extensively, the D5600 feels more balanced in hand. Nikon puts a premium on ergonomics here - a slightly deeper, sculpted grip and well-placed control buttons. The Sony A35’s grip is comfortable but smaller hands might find it less reassuring for prolonged shoots. The A35’s somewhat boxier shape also influences how it feels tucked up against your face for those long portrait sessions or intense birdwatching marathons.

I should mention: the D5600 lends itself well to lens swaps and heavier glass due to its firm hold. For street photographers who value discretion, Sony’s smaller profile might sneak a slight edge in portability - even if it’s only by a few millimeters and grams.

The Interface Tango: Control Layout and User Experience

Controls can make or break your shooting rhythm. Let’s take a look from above.

Nikon’s traditional DSLR layout is familiar - dedicated dial for mode selection, ISO button, exposure compensation, and a distinct AF modes switch. Sony, in contrast, simplifies controls with fewer dedicated buttons, leaning more on menu diving and dial customization. That translucent mirror tech also defines some differences in real-time feedback, which I’ll touch on shortly.

When testing these cameras in rapid-fire scenarios - like capturing a kid’s baseball game or a wildlife safari - the ease of quickly adjusting settings can be crucial. The D5600’s buttons have better tactile feedback, notably the dedicated ISO and exposure compensation controls. Sony’s minimalist approach is cleaner but demands more familiarity with the menu system, which might slow you down if you’re just starting out or used to the DSLR button-rich environment.

Sensor Showdown: Image Quality, Color Depth, and Dynamic Range

At the heart of any camera lies its sensor, and this is where things get interesting.

Both sport an APS-C size sensor measuring 23.5x15.6mm, but the D5600 boasts a 24-megapixel resolution versus Sony's 16 megapixels in the A35. Pixel count isn’t the full story (oh, if only), so let's unpack what this means in real life.

Nikon’s Expeed 4 processor pairs beautifully with the 24MP CMOS sensor, delivering sharp images with excellent color depth - 24.1 bits versus Sony’s 23.3 - and a notably wide dynamic range (14.0 stops versus 12.7). Simply put: the D5600 pulls more detail from shadows and highlights, essential for landscapes and challenging lighting.

Sony’s Bionz-processed sensor, while older and lower in pixel count, still offers decent image output but falls short in shadow recovery and color nuances, making it less ideal for demanding disciplines.

When I shot the same high-contrast sunset with both cameras, Nikon preserved more sky detail and nuanced midtones, while Sony clipped more highlights and rendered shadows with less information. Skin tones on the D5600 were richer and more natural, which matters a lot for portrait shooters.

Peering Through the Viewfinder and Screen: Optical vs Electronic

Sometimes you don’t want a digital feed - you want plain-old clarity.

The D5600 sports an optical pentamirror viewfinder covering 95% of the frame with 0.55x magnification, while Sony’s A35 offers a 100% coverage electronic viewfinder (EVF) with higher magnification at 0.73x and 1150k-dot resolution.

The EVF advantage: Sony’s gives a real-time preview of exposure, white balance, and settings. However, in bright sunlight, the EVF can feel a bit grainy or laggy; I noticed occasional delays in fast-moving subjects, which was mildly distracting.

Nikon’s pentamirror delivers a classic transparent window to the scene without electronic latency - perfect when precision and responsiveness matter, especially in dynamic sports or wildlife scenarios.

Where Nikon really shines is its fully articulated 3.2-inch touchscreen LCD with 1037k dots. You can flip it all the way out and angle it for awkward macro shots or group selfies (yes, it even caters to the selfiest among us). Sony’s A35 has a fixed 3-inch LCD with fewer pixels (921k) and lacks touchscreen capability.

For vloggers or travelers keen on composing from multiple angles, D5600’s screen is a game-changer. Sony users might find themselves limited in this aspect, which can be frustrating if you rely heavily on live view.

Autofocus and Burst Shooting: Catching the Moment

Autofocus (AF) performance and shooting speed often separate the serious shooters from the happy snappers.

Nikon packs 39 focus points (9 cross-type), whereas Sony’s A35 features 15 points (3 cross-type). Nikon also supports face detection and continuous AF modes with touch-to-focus capabilities.

I tested wildlife action in morning light - picking fast-moving birds in flight - and the D5600’s autofocus tracked subjects more consistently and without the “hunting” behavior occasional in Sony’s contrast-phase hybrid system.

Continuous shooting rates favor the Sony A35 with 6 fps versus Nikon’s 5 fps - not a huge gap, but meaningful in fast-paced sports. However, the A35 doesn’t support AF tracking during bursts as reliably, often locking focus only on the first frame. Nikon’s D5600 manages AF tracking better, which I found made a big difference when shooting unpredictable sports moments.

In low light, Nikon’s superior low light AF sensitivity lent it an edge: it focused quicker at dusk or dim indoor events, while Sony struggled a bit and often required manual focus aid.

Let’s Talk Lenses: Ecosystem Matters

“It’s not just the camera - it’s the glass you shoot through.” Wise words I live by.

Nikon’s F-mount lens system boasts over 300 native lenses spanning primes, zooms, and specialty optics - everything from bargain lenses to pro-grade glass. This means you can wield a pocket-friendly Nikkor DX zoom or plug in a hefty 300mm f/4 beast for wildlife without issue.

Sony’s Alpha mount supports around 140 lenses natively, which is respectable, but the real limitation is the older A-mount system. Since Sony has pivoted heavily toward mirrorless E-mount cameras, the lens pool’s future vitality is less assured. Third-party lenses exist but with less variety and sporadic availability.

If lens choices and investment longevity are key factors, Nikon gains substantial points here.

Imaging Stabilization: Who Keeps it Steady?

Sony offers sensor-based image stabilization (IBIS) in the A35, a boon for handheld shooting - especially in low light or with longer focal lengths. Nikon’s D5600 lacks in-body stabilization, leaning instead on lens stabilization where available.

In practice, I found Sony’s IBIS useful in keeping shots crisp at slower shutter speeds. However, if you pair Nikon’s D5600 with VR lenses, stabilization matches or exceeds what the A35 offers.

Hence, Sony’s system delivers the benefit “out of the box” on any lens, but Nikon users need to be mindful about lens choice for stabilized shooting.

Battery Life and Shoot-Through: Staying Power in the Field

Nikon’s D5600 excels with roughly 820 shots per charge (CIPA rating), almost doubling Sony’s 440 shots with the NP-FW50 battery. As someone who’s tested extensively, a longer battery life not only keeps you shooting longer but reduces the hassle of carrying multiple batteries.

If you’re a travel photographer or on a remote shoot, Nikon’s endurance wins hands down. Sony’s smaller body and lighter weight can tempt you, but the trade-off means more frequent battery swaps or interruptions.

Video Capabilities: Finessing Moving Images

Both cameras deliver 1080p Full HD video but with subtle differences.

Nikon’s D5600 shoots 1080p up to 60fps, giving smooth motion and flexibility for slow-motion effects. Sony’s A35 also records 1080p at up to 60fps but adds AVCHD format support, which some videographers prefer for compression quality.

Both cameras include microphone inputs but lack headphone jacks for audio monitoring - a downside for serious videographers.

Nikon has better video autofocus thanks to its hybrid AF system and touch-to-focus capabilities during recording. Sony’s contrast-based system is less fluid during video, leading to occasional hunting or focus shifts.

Nikon D5600 screen back Sony A35 front Sony A35 screen back

Durability and Weather Resistance: Handling the Elements

Neither camera features weather sealing or robust environmental protection - meaning you’ll want to avoid downpours or dusty excursions without added protection.

The Nikon D5600’s polycarbonate shell feels slightly more solid and professional, but these aren’t built to shrug off harsh conditions wholeheartedly. For outdoor photographers in rugged environments, consider weather-sealed options or use protective gear.

Connectivity and Wireless Features: How Smart Are They?

Sony’s A35 is a bit of a digital minimalist here, offering no built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC. You’re tethered mostly via USB 2.0 and HDMI when connecting to devices.

Nikon D5600, however, embraces modern connectivity standards with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth - allowing for seamless image transfer, remote shooting, and smartphone control via Nikon’s SnapBridge app. This facilitates social sharing and also aids workflow for travel and event photographers.

Storage and Media: All Roads Lead to SD

Both cameras use SD cards exclusively, with Nikon D5600 supporting SD, SDHC, and SDXC formats; Sony A35 expands compatibility with Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo in addition to SD cards.

One card slot each - standard fare in this category - so consider carrying spares if shooting long events or high-volume burst sequences.

Price and Value: What’s Your Buck Getting?

Both cameras hover around $600 depending on current deals and bundles. Nikon is newer by five years and packs a more modern sensor system with higher resolution and longer battery life, arguably offering more bang for the buck.

Sony’s A35, although older, appeals to certain niche buyers intrigued by its SLT technology (translucent mirror allowing for continuous phase detection AF in live view) and sensor stabilization.

If you’re looking at resale value and long-term software updates, Nikon’s system looks stronger.

Putting It All Together: Performance by Photography Genre

Let’s break down how each camera fits into various photography types:

Portrait Photography

• Nikon D5600: Wins here with better color depth, precise eye-detection AF, and smooth bokeh with a wide lens ecosystem.
• Sony A35: Decent but lower resolution and less sharp focus tracking reduce its impact.

Landscape Photography

• Nikon D5600: Superior dynamic range and higher resolution lend to intricate detail in sweeping vistas.
• Sony A35: Lower DR and sensor aging make it less preferable.

Wildlife Photography

• Nikon D5600: Faster, more accurate AF tracking and better battery life for those all-day walks.
• Sony A35: Higher frame rate but limited AF tracking hampers fast action.

Sports Photography

• Nikon D5600: Slightly slower burst speed but superior AF performance means more keepers.
• Sony A35: Faster bursts but less reliable focus during bursts.

Street Photography

• Sony A35: Smaller, lighter body and less conspicuous EVF aid discretion.
• Nikon D5600: Larger and more obvious, though fully articulated touchscreen can help creative angles.

Macro Photography

• Nikon D5600: Articulated screen and touch AF provide more focusing flexibility.
• Sony A35: Fixed screen and fewer focusing aids limit macro ease.

Night and Astro Photography

• Nikon D5600: Better high ISO performance and dynamic range let you capture stars and cityscapes with more fidelity.
• Sony A35: Lower low light performance and older sensor hit quality.

Video Capabilities

• Nikon D5600: More modern codec support, better AF during video, and touchscreen control.
• Sony A35: AVCHD support and native stabilization help, but focus tends to zigzag.

Travel Photography

• Nikon D5600: Longer battery life and wireless connectivity for on-the-go convenience.
• Sony A35: Smaller size and weight appeal but compromises exist.

Professional Work

• Nikon D5600: RAW support, accessory compatibility, and consistent operation make it a better backup or starter pro tool.
• Sony A35: Older tech and limited ecosystem reduce professional usability.

Final Thoughts: Who Wins This Showdown?

The Nikon D5600 emerges as the more balanced and versatile system, with modern sensor tech, superior autofocus, longer battery life, and a flexible lens lineup. For enthusiasts ready to advance and professionals needing a capable secondary body, it’s a smart investment. Its only real downside is lack of in-body stabilization, but Nikon’s VR lenses fill that gap.

The Sony SLT-A35, while innovative in its day with the translucent mirror design and sensor stabilization, feels dated today. It suits shooters wanting a lightweight rig with steady handheld shots and quick bursts but who can live with fewer megapixels, a clunkier interface, and less future-proof lens availability.

If you want my advice: lean toward the Nikon D5600 if you’re prioritizing image quality, autofocus reliability, and a well-rounded photographic experience. Choose the Sony A35 if budget constraints or a preference for sensor stabilization tip the scales, and you’re happy with the trade-offs.

Photography is wonderfully subjective, and both cameras have stories to tell. Your best fit comes down to where you want to shoot, how deeply you want to invest, and which features spark joy in your shooting style.

Happy clicking!

Thanks for joining me on this detailed exploration. If you’re in the market, I hope this review shines a light on which DSLR may be your trusty new companion. Have questions or need lens recommendations? Drop a line anytime.