Nikon D3200 vs Sony SLT Alpha 58 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 24.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Nikon D3200
54
WINNER
|
Sony · DSLR · 20.1 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 58
53
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D3200 and the Sony SLT Alpha 58 are APS-C DSLRs, the Nikon from 2012 and the Sony from 2013. Their CMOS sensors share the same APS-C format, so the imaging area matches in size. The D3200 offers an optical pentamirror view, while the Alpha 58 has an electronic viewfinder with 1,440,000 dots. They measure 125 x 96 x 77 mm against 129 x 95 x 78 mm, and the Sony is 13 g lighter at 492 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2013 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
April 19, 2012 | February 20, 2013 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 125 x 96 x 77 mm | 129 x 95 x 78 mm |
| Camera weight | 505 g | 492 g |
| Optics | 63/100 | 63/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D3200 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and large prints, with 24.2 megapixels against 20.1 on the Alpha 58. That extra pixel count leaves more room to crop a distant wildlife frame. The Alpha 58 answers with in-body stabilisation, so any mounted lens gains protection against camera shake in dim interiors. The Sony also shoots at 5 fps against the Nikon's 4 fps, 25 percent more frames per second for fleeting expressions. Its 15 autofocus points outnumber the Nikon's 11, and its standard ISO ceiling of 16000 sits well above the Nikon's 6400. The Nikon F DX and Sony Alpha DT mounts mean each draws on its own lens system. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.2 MP050 | 20.1 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6016 x 4000 | 5456 x 3632 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.4 x 23.2 | 15.6 x 23.5 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
4 fps045 | 5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Nikon F DX | Sony Alpha DT |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Expeed 3 | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
64003003280000 | 160003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
128003003280000 | 160003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
110300 | 150300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 144000009900000 |
| Video | 43/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe D3200 is the better pick for smoother motion, because its video runs at up to 30 fps while the Alpha 58 stops at 24 fps. The extra frames help when panning with children or pets. Both share a Full HD resolution ceiling, so neither offers 4K, and neither includes a built-in timelapse function. The file formats differ too. The D3200 writes MOV, while the Alpha 58 records AVCHD or MP4. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 24 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV | AVCHD, MP4 |
| Features | 41/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 58's tilting LCD makes waist-level and overhead shots easier to compose than the D3200's fixed screen. The Nikon counters with the better display for reviewing focus, at 3 inches and 921,000 dots against 2.7 inches and 460,000, roughly twice the dot count. Both offer a built-in flash for fill light, an external flash option and live view for tripod work. Neither has GPS, wireless connectivity, a touchscreen or weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 2.7" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 4600001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 27/100 | 32/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Alpha 58 carries the longer battery rating, 690 shots against 540 for the D3200, an advantage for a long day of sightseeing. Neither charges over USB, and each takes its own battery pack. Both take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, and the D3200 supports UHS-I for faster card offload. The Sony also accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo media. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL14 | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
540 shots1505000 | 690 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the D3200 when detail leads: 24.2 megapixels give more cropping latitude for distant birds or big prints. Its 30 fps video motion is smoother, and the sharper 921,000 dot screen speeds up focus checks.
Choose the Alpha 58 for handheld low-light and varied-angle work. In-body stabilisation steadies every mounted lens, and 5 fps with 15 autofocus points better catches a toddler mid-motion. The tilting screen plus higher battery rating support a full day out.