Nikon D3200 vs Canon EOS 500D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3200 and Canon EOS 500D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Nikon D3200

Canon EOS 500D

Manufacturing

Nikon D3200 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 500D is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D3200 were released 2012 and Canon EOS 500D was released 2009. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera	Released
Nikon D3200	2012
Canon EOS 500D	2009

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D3200 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Canon EOS 500D has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera	Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D3200	75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS 500D	80 mm Canon APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon D3200 has a 24,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 500D has 15,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera	Megapixels
Nikon D3200	24,2 MP 24064000 pixels 6016 x 4000
Canon EOS 500D	15,1 MP 15054336 pixels 4752 x 3168

Nikon D3200 has a 60 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 500D. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Canon EOS 500D has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3200. Canon EOS 500D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D3200 has 100 to 6400.

Camera	ISO Range
Nikon D3200	100-6400
Canon EOS 500D	100-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS 500D has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D3200 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D3200 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3200
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 500D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D3200 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 500D can shoot up to 3,4 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D3200	4
Canon EOS 500D	3,4

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Nikon D3200 and Canon EOS 500D can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS 500D weighs 520 gr (equal to 1.15 lb) which is 3% heavier than Nikon D3200 and its 505 gr (or 1.11 lb).

Camera	Weight
Nikon D3200	505 gr 1.11 lb
Canon EOS 500D	520 gr 1.15 lb