Sony a1 vs Nikon D3200
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a1 and Nikon D3200. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a1 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D3200 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a1 were released 2021 and Nikon D3200 was released 2012. That is a 9 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a1 | 2021 |
Nikon D3200 | 2012 |
Type of camera
Sony a1 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D3200 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Sony a1 has a "Sony Full Frame"-sensor while Nikon D3200 has a "Nikon DX"-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 ** |
Sony a1 | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
Nikon D3200 | 75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
** 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 (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)
Resolution
Sony a1 has a 50 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3200 has 24,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Sony a1 |
50 MP
49766400 pixels 8640 x 5760 |
Nikon D3200 |
24,2 MP
24064000 pixels 6016 x 4000 |
Sony a1 has a 107 % larger resolution than Nikon D3200. 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
Sony a1 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3200. Sony a1 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 32000 while Nikon D3200 has 100 to 6400.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a1 | 100-32000 |
Nikon D3200 | 100-6400 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
There is a big difference between these two cameras. Sony a1 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 Sony a1
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3200
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a1 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3200 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a1 | 30 |
Nikon D3200 | 4 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Sony a1 and Nikon D3200 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.
Sony a1 weighs 737 gr (equal to 1.62 lb) which is 46% heavier than Nikon D3200 and its 505 gr (or 1.11 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a1 | 737 gr 1.62 lb |
Nikon D3200 | 505 gr 1.11 lb |
Sony a1 vs Nikon D3200 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a1 and Nikon D3200, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.
Product |
Sony a1 |
Nikon D3200 |
Name | Sony a1 | Nikon D3200 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a1 |
Nikon D3200 |
Release Year | 2021 | 2012 |
Release Date | 2021-01-26 | 2012-04-19 |
MSRP | 6499 USD | 699 USD |
Buy it today |
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Camera Type |
Sony a1 |
Nikon D3200 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a1 |
Nikon D3200 |
Sensor Size | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) |
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX" |
Sensor Type | Stacked CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 8640 x 5760 pixels | 6016 x 4000 pixels |
Megapixels | 50 MP | 24,2 MP |
Image Processor | Dual Bionz XR | EXPEED 3 |
Image |
Sony a1 |
Nikon D3200 |
ISO Range | 100 - 32000 | 100 - 6400 |
White Balance Presets | 7 | 12 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-shift) |
No |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a1 |
Nikon D3200 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | No |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 759 | 11 |
Lens Mount |
Sony E See Compatible Lenses |
Nikon F See Compatible Lenses |
Focal Length Multiplier |
Full frame No multiplier Example: 24 mm remains 24 mm 50 mm remains 50 mm 100 mm remains 100 mm 200 mm remains 200 mm |
DX / APS-C (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Sony a1 |
Nikon D3200 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Fixed |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 1440000 | 921000 |
Touch screen | Yes | No |
Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD with 160° viewing angle |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 95% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.9× | 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | 9437184 | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a1 |
Nikon D3200 |
Frames per second | 30 fps | 4 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | No | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | N/A | 12 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | No |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Highlight Weighted Spot Average |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a1 |
Nikon D3200 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
H.264 H.265 XF-AVC XAVC-S XAVC-HS |
MPEG4 H.264 |
Video resolution |
1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 7680 x 4320 |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Sony a1 |
Nikon D3200 |
Memory Card |
Compact Flash Express SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a1 |
Nikon D3200 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | Yes | No |
Headphone Port | Yes | No |
Wireless |
Yes Built-In 802.11ac (Dual Band) |
Yes Optional with WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter ![]() |
Remote Control | Yes (via Bluetooth or tethered PC) |
Optional
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GPS | No |
Yes Optional with GP-1 ![]() |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a1 |
Nikon D3200 |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | No |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery & charger
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Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
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Battery Life (CIPA) | 530 shots | 540 shots |
Width | 129 mm | 125 mm |
Height | 97 mm | 96 mm |
Depth | 81 mm | 77 mm |
Weight | 737 gram | 505 gram |