Nikon D3400 vs Sony SLT Alpha 68 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 24.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Nikon D3400
61
WINNER
|
Sony · DSLR · 24 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 68
58
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D3400 and the Sony SLT Alpha 68 are both APS-C DSLR cameras with an eye-level viewfinder. The Nikon arrived in 2016, a year after the 2015 Sony. The Nikon is the smaller and lighter carry at 124 x 98 x 76 mm and 445 g. The Sony measures 143 x 104 x 81 mm and weighs 610 g, a 165 g difference. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2016 | 2015 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 17, 2016 | November 5, 2015 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 124 x 98 x 76 mm | 143 x 104 x 81 mm |
| Camera weight | 445 g | 610 g |
| Optics | 65/100 | 71/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony is the stronger choice for action and wildlife shooting. It offers 79 autofocus points against the Nikon's 11, giving far more coverage for tracking a moving subject, and it shoots at 8 fps versus 5 fps for fast sequences. The Sony also has in-body stabilisation, which helps keep handheld shots sharp at slower shutter speeds with unstabilised lenses. Resolution is a near match at 24.2 MP for the Nikon and 24 MP for the Sony, and both share a native ISO range of 100 to 25600. The Nikon uses an optical pentamirror viewfinder, while the Sony uses an electronic one. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.2 MP050 | 24 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6000 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. |
15.6 x 23.5 | 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. |
5 fps045 | 8 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 4 | Bionz X |
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. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
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. |
256003003280000 | 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 | 790300 |
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 | 56/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Sony gives video shooters more options for editing, offering XAVC S, AVCHD Ver. 2.0 and MP4, while the Nikon records only MOV. Maximum resolution and maximum frame rate are shared limits, with each camera topping out at Full HD resolution and a 60 fps maximum frame rate. Neither camera offers a built-in timelapse mode. | ||
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. |
60 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 | XAVC S, AVCHD Ver. 2.0, MP4 |
| Features | 54/100 | 35/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Sony's tilting screen helps for waist-level and overhead composing, an angle the Nikon's fixed screen cannot match. The Nikon answers with the larger, sharper display, a fixed 3-inch LCD with 921,000 dots against the Sony's 2.7-inch, 460,800-dot panel. For transferring photos, the Nikon supports Bluetooth for a wireless link to a phone, a connection the Sony does not offer. Neither camera has GPS, Wi-Fi, a touchscreen or weather sealing, and both include a built-in flash plus support for an external flash unit. | ||
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 | TFT 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 | 4608001150001500000 |
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. |
 Yes | No |
| Storage & battery | 45/100 | 29/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Nikon's battery rating is the stronger one, at 1200 shots against 580 for the Sony under their respective test conditions. Neither offers dual card slots, and both accept SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, though the Sony also takes Memory Stick Pro Duo media. Each has its own battery, the Nikon's EN-EL14a and the Sony's NP-FM500H, and neither supports USB charging. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL14a | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
1200 shots1505000 | 580 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony SLT Alpha 68 if your photography is about movement. Its 8 fps burst and 79 autofocus points make it the better tool for sports and birds in flight. In-body stabilisation helps keep handheld shots sharp at slower shutter speeds, and the tilting screen helps at awkward angles.
Choose the Nikon D3400 for travel and family shooting. Its 445 g body is the lighter travel carry, its 1200-shot battery rating goes far further, and Bluetooth supports wireless photo transfer to a phone. Both share the same APS-C sensor format, similar 24 MP resolution and Full HD video, so the choice rests on how you shoot.