Nikon D3200 vs Sony Alpha a7 III
This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3200 and Sony Alpha a7 III. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Nikon D3200 is manufacturered by Nikon but Sony Alpha a7 III is from Sony. Both Nikon and Sony are well known brands though.
Nikon D3200 were released 2012 and Sony Alpha a7 III was released 2018. That is a 6 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Nikon D3200 | 2012 |
Sony Alpha a7 III | 2018 |
Type of camera
Nikon D3200 is a DSLR camera while Sony Alpha a7 III is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D3200 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Sony Alpha a7 III has a "Sony Full Frame"-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 ** |
Nikon D3200 | 75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
Sony Alpha a7 III | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
** 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 (Nikon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Resolution
Nikon D3200 has a 24,2 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony Alpha a7 III has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Nikon D3200 |
24,2 MP
24064000 pixels 6016 x 4000 |
Sony Alpha a7 III |
24 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
Nikon D3200 has a 0 % larger resolution than Sony Alpha a7 III. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.
ISO range
Sony Alpha a7 III has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3200. Sony Alpha a7 III has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Nikon D3200 has 100 to 6400.
Camera | ISO Range |
Nikon D3200 | 100-6400 |
Sony Alpha a7 III | 100-51200 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
There is a big difference between these two cameras. Sony Alpha a7 III has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D3200 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D3200 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 Nikon D3200
Lens compatibility chart for Sony Alpha a7 III
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D3200 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds and Sony Alpha a7 III can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Nikon D3200 | 4 |
Sony Alpha a7 III | 10 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Nikon D3200 and Sony Alpha a7 III 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 Alpha a7 III weighs 650 gr (equal to 1,43 lb) which is 29% heavier than Nikon D3200 and its 505 gr (or 1,11 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Nikon D3200 | 505 gr 1,11 lb |
Sony Alpha a7 III | 650 gr 1,43 lb |
Nikon D3200 vs Sony Alpha a7 III Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D3200 and Sony Alpha a7 III, 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 |
Nikon D3200 |
Sony Alpha a7 III |
Name | Nikon D3200 | Sony Alpha a7 III |
Manufacturer | Nikon | Sony |
Release Date and Price |
Nikon D3200 |
Sony Alpha a7 III |
Release Year | 2012 | 2018 |
Release Date | 2012-04-19 | 2018-02-27 |
MSRP | 699 USD | 1999 USD |
Buy it today |
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Camera Type |
Nikon D3200 |
Sony Alpha a7 III |
Camera Type | DSLR | Mirrorless |
Sensor |
Nikon D3200 |
Sony Alpha a7 III |
Sensor Size |
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX" |
Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) |
Sensor Type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Resolution | 6016 x 4000 pixels | 6000 x 4000 pixels |
Megapixels | 24,2 MP | 24 MP |
Image Processor | EXPEED 3 | Bionz X |
Image |
Nikon D3200 |
Sony Alpha a7 III |
ISO Range | 100 - 6400 | 100 - 51200 |
White Balance Presets | 12 | 11 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization | No |
Yes (Sensor-Shift) |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 5 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Nikon D3200 |
Sony Alpha a7 III |
Autofocus Motor | No | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 11 | 693 |
Lens Mount |
Nikon F See Compatible Lenses |
Sony E |
Focal Length Multiplier |
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 |
Full frame No multiplier Example: 24 mm remains 24 mm 50 mm remains 50 mm 100 mm remains 100 mm 200 mm remains 200 mm |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Nikon D3200 |
Sony Alpha a7 III |
Articulated LCD | Fixed | Tilting |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 921000 | 921600 |
Touch screen | No | Yes |
Screen type | TFT LCD with 160° viewing angle | N/A |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic |
Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) | 0.78x |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | 2359296 |
Photography features |
Nikon D3200 |
Sony Alpha a7 III |
Frames per second | 4 fps | 10 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | Yes | No |
Built-in Flash Range | 12 meters | N/A |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | No |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Highlight Weighted Spot Average |
Exposure Compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV steps) | ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Nikon D3200 |
Sony Alpha a7 III |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 H.264 |
MPEG4 H.264 XAVC-S AVCHD |
Video resolution |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 |
1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Nikon D3200 |
Sony Alpha a7 III |
Memory Card |
SD/SDHC |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Nikon D3200 |
Sony Alpha a7 III |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | Yes |
Headphone Port | No | Yes |
Wireless |
Yes Optional with WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter ![]() |
Yes Built-in (with NFC and wireless control via PlayMemories Mobile app) |
Remote Control |
Optional
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Wired |
GPS |
Yes Optional with GP-1 ![]() |
No |
Body & Dimensions |
Nikon D3200 |
Sony Alpha a7 III |
Enviromentally sealed | No | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
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NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery and charger
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Battery Life (CIPA) | 540 shots | 710 shots |
Width | 125 mm | 127 mm |
Height | 96 mm | 96 mm |
Depth | 77 mm | 74 mm |
Weight | 505 gram | 650 gram |