Nikon D3200 vs Sony SLT Alpha 65 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 24.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Nikon D3200
54
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 24.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 65
57
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D3200 and the Sony SLT Alpha 65 are DSLRs released in 2012 and 2011 respectively. The D3200 is the lighter and smaller body at 505 g against 622 g, measuring 125 x 96 x 77 mm against the Sony's 132 x 97 x 81 mm. That favours the Nikon for travel kits and packed bags. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2011 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
April 19, 2012 | August 24, 2011 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 125 x 96 x 77 mm | 132 x 97 x 81 mm |
| Camera weight | 505 g | 622 g |
| Optics | 63/100 | 68/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 65 is the stronger choice for action shooting. It offers 10 fps continuous shooting against 4 fps on the D3200, giving you more frames to catch a sprinting athlete or a bird taking flight. Its 19 autofocus points outnumber the Nikon's 11 for tracking a moving subject, and its electronic viewfinder shows 2,359,000 dots. The Alpha 65 also offers in-body stabilisation that works with every mounted lens, while the D3200 depends on stabilised lenses for sharper handheld shots in dim light. Lens mounts differ too, the D3200 using Nikon F DX and the Alpha 65 Sony Alpha DT, so your lenses stay within one system. Resolution is effectively matched at 24.2 versus 24.3 megapixels, and the Sony's standard ISO ceiling of 16000 exceeds the Nikon's 6400. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.2 MP050 | 24.3 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 | 6000 x 4000 |
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 | 10 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 | 256003003280000 |
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 | 190300 |
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 | 235900009900000 |
| Video | 43/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor slow motion, the Alpha 65 is the clear pick. Both top out at Full HD, but the Sony records at up to 60 fps against 30 fps on the D3200. That doubled frame rate lets you slow footage to half speed for smooth slow motion of fast subjects. The Sony records AVCHD or MP4 and the Nikon MOV, which mainly affects your editing workflow. | ||
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 | 60 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 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesTravel and awkward-angle shooting favour the Sony SLT Alpha 65. It has built-in GPS to geotag photos as you shoot, useful for documenting a hike or a road trip, and its screen flips out for waist-level and overhead framing. The D3200 has neither feature, so low or high compositions mean crouching and guessing. Both offer a 3-inch LCD with 921,000 dots, live view, a built-in flash and external flash support, with no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or touchscreen on either. Neither body has 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. |
No |  Yes |
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" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
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 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D3200 rates 540 shots per charge against 510 for the Alpha 65, a slight edge for a long stills day. The Alpha 65 accepts SD cards plus Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo media, while the D3200 uses SD, SDHC and SDXC cards with UHS-I support for faster card performance. | ||
| 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 | 510 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony SLT Alpha 65 if you shoot moving subjects, handhold in low light, or film your family and travels. Its 10 fps burst, in-body stabilisation, 60 fps Full HD video, GPS geotagging and flip-out screen cover all of those situations directly. Its Alpha DT mount ties your lens collection to that system.
The Nikon D3200 is the better pick when lighter carry and the Nikon F DX lens range matter more, and its 540-shot battery rating suits long stills days. Choose it for landscape, portrait and everyday photography where 4 fps is enough, and stabilisation comes from the lens in dim interiors.