Sony a5100 vs Nikon D3500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a5100 and Nikon D3500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a5100 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D3500 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a5100 were released 2014 and Nikon D3500 was released 2018. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a5100 2014
Nikon D3500 2018

Type of camera

Sony a5100 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D3500 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a5100 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D3500 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 a5100 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D3500 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

Both these cameras have the exact same resolution. Sony a5100 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3500 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a5100 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Nikon D3500 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

ISO range

Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a5100 100-25600
Nikon D3500 100-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Sony a5100 has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D3500 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D3500 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 a5100
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3500

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a5100 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a5100 6
Nikon D3500 5

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Sony a5100 and Nikon D3500 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.

Nikon D3500 weighs 365 gr (equal to 0.8 lb) which is 29% heavier than Sony a5100 and its 283 gr (or 0.62 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a5100 283 gr
0.62 lb
Nikon D3500 365 gr
0.8 lb

Sony a5100 vs Nikon D3500 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a5100 and Nikon D3500, 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 a5100
Nikon D3500
Name Sony a5100 Nikon D3500
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a5100
Nikon D3500
Release Year 2014 2018
Release Date 2014-08-18 2018-08-30
MSRP 549 USD 499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a5100
Nikon D3500
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony a5100
Nikon D3500
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 24 MP
Image Processor Bionz X EXPEED 4
Image
Sony a5100
Nikon D3500
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 10 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a5100
Nikon D3500
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
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 179 11
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (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
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 a5100
Nikon D3500
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 921600 921000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type No Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.85× (0.57× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Sony a5100
Nikon D3500
Frames per second 6 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 4 meters 7 meters
External Flash No Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a5100
Nikon D3500
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
XF-AVC
AVCHD
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a5100
Nikon D3500
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a5100
Nikon D3500
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n with NFC)
Yes
Built-in, SnapBridge (Bluetooth only)
Remote Control Yes (wired or PC) Yes (via Smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a5100
Nikon D3500
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and USB charger
EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery and charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 400 shots 1550 shots
Width 110 mm 124 mm
Height 63 mm 97 mm
Depth 36 mm 70 mm
Weight 283 gram 365 gram