Sony a6500 vs Nikon D3400
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a6500 and Nikon D3400. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a6500 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D3400 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
These two camera models were both released 2016.Camera | Released |
Sony a6500 | 2016 |
Nikon D3400 | 2016 |
Type of camera
Sony a6500 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D3400 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Sony a6500 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D3400 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 a6500 | 75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
Nikon D3400 | 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 a6500 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3400 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Sony a6500 |
24 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
Nikon D3400 |
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 a6500 | 100-25600 |
Nikon D3400 | 100-25600 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
There is a big difference between these two cameras. Sony a6500 has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D3400 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D3400 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 a6500
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3400
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a6500 can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3400 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a6500 | 11 |
Nikon D3400 | 5 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Sony a6500 and Nikon D3400 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 a6500 weighs 453 gr (equal to 1 lb) which is 15% heavier than Nikon D3400 and its 395 gr (or 0.87 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a6500 | 453 gr 1 lb |
Nikon D3400 | 395 gr 0.87 lb |
Sony a6500 vs Nikon D3400 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a6500 and Nikon D3400, 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 a6500 |
Nikon D3400 |
Name | Sony a6500 | Nikon D3400 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D3400 |
Release Year | 2016 | 2016 |
Release Date | 2016-10-06 | 2016-08-17 |
MSRP | 1399 USD | 649 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D3400 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D3400 |
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 a6500 |
Nikon D3400 |
ISO Range | 100 - 25600 | 100 - 25600 |
White Balance Presets | 8 | 12 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-Shift (5-axis)) |
No |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D3400 |
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 | 425 | 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 a6500 |
Nikon D3400 |
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 | Electronic | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 95% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 1.07× (0.71× 35mm equiv.) | 0.57× (0.38× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | 2359296 | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D3400 |
Frames per second | 11 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 | 6 meters | 7 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | No |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Highlight Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D3400 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 XAVC-S AVCHD |
MPEG4 H.264 |
Video resolution |
1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D3400 |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D3400 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | Yes | No |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless |
Yes Built-in (802.11/b/g/n with NFC) |
Yes Built-In SnapBridge (Bluetooth only) |
Remote Control | Yes (via smartphone) | Yes (via smartphone or wireless remote) |
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D3400 |
Enviromentally sealed | No | No |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
NP-FW50
|
EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery and charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 350 shots | 1200 shots |
Width | 120 mm | 124 mm |
Height | 67 mm | 98 mm |
Depth | 53 mm | 76 mm |
Weight | 453 gram | 395 gram |