Sony A6300 vs Nikon D3500

Cameras
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Sony A6300 vs Nikon D3500

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A6300 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A6300 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A6300.
Compare Sony A6300 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A6300 conclusion.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3500 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D3500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D3500.
Compare Nikon D3500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D3500 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A6400
Compare A6300 vs A6400
Compare Sony A6400 vs Nikon D3500

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Differences

Sony A6300 advantages over Nikon D3500

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
48 mm vs 69 mm
Thinner
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More viewfinder magnification
0.70x vs 0.57x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Faster JPEG shooting
11.1 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.1 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
22 vs 13 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon D3500 advantages over Sony A6300

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$597 vs $848
Save money for lenses or accessories
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 1.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1550 vs 400 shots
Capture more photos
Newer
6 years vs 8 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 44 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Adorama
Read A6300 User Reviews

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Adorama
Read D3500 User Reviews

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Body Only (Black)
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Kit with 16-50mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 16-50mm Lens (Silver)

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Buy the Nikon D3500

Kit with 18-55mm VR lens

Kit with 18-55mm VR lens
Kit with 18-55mm VR and 70-300mm lenses

All D3500 Deals

Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality; Improved high-ISO performance; Better JPEG quality; Fast autofocus; Very good subject tracking with real-time live view feature; All-magnesium body construction; 4K video.
Slow buffer clearing (no UHS-II support); No touchscreen, Clunky menus; Wi-Fi can be a bit frustrating to use.
Read our Sony A6300 Review

Great image quality for its class; Excellent high ISO performance for APS-C; Fast single-shot AF speeds; Compact, easy to use design; Incredible value at under $500 with lens.
11-point AF system feels out-dated; Underwhelming C-AF performance; Below average viewfinder coverage accuracy; No touchscreen; Limited wireless features.
Read our Nikon D3500 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A6000

Sony A6300

Sony A6000

$846
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Fast startup

$548
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Sony A6300 vs Sony A6000

Nikon D3500

Sony A6000

$623
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$548
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Sony A6000

Compared to Fujifilm X-A3

Sony A6300

Fujifilm X-A3

$846
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A6300 vs Fujifilm X-A3

Nikon D3500

Fujifilm X-A3

$623
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$549
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Fujifilm X-A3

Compared to Sony A6500

Sony A6300

Sony A6500

$846
APS-C

Less expensive

$1198
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A6300 vs Sony A6500

Nikon D3500

Sony A6500

$623
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1198
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Sony A6500

Compared to Canon SL2

Sony A6300

Canon SL2

$846
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A6300 vs Canon SL2

Nikon D3500

Canon SL2

$623
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon SL2

Compared to Canon SL3

Sony A6300

Canon SL3

$846
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$632
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A6300 vs Canon SL3

Nikon D3500

Canon SL3

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$632
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon SL3

Compare Other Cameras?