Nikon D3400 vs Sony a65
This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3400 and Sony a65. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Nikon D3400 is manufacturered by Nikon but Sony a65 is from Sony. Both Nikon and Sony are well known brands though.
Nikon D3400 were released 2016 and Sony a65 was released 2011. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Nikon D3400 | 2016 |
Sony a65 | 2011 |
Type of camera
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D3400 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Sony a65 has a "Sony APS-C"-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 D3400 | 75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
Sony a65 | 75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
** 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
Both these cameras have the exact same resolution. Nikon D3400 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a65 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Nikon D3400 |
24 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
Sony a65 |
24 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
ISO range
Nikon D3400 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a65. Nikon D3400 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Sony a65 has 100 to 12800.
Camera | ISO Range |
Nikon D3400 | 100-25600 |
Sony a65 | 100-12800 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
There is a big difference between these two cameras. Sony a65 has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D3400 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D3400 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 D3400
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a65
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D3400 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Sony a65 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Nikon D3400 | 5 |
Sony a65 | 10 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Nikon D3400 and Sony a65 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 a65 weighs 622 gr (equal to 1.37 lb) which is 57% heavier than Nikon D3400 and its 395 gr (or 0.87 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Nikon D3400 | 395 gr 0.87 lb |
Sony a65 | 622 gr 1.37 lb |
Nikon D3400 vs Sony a65 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D3400 and Sony a65, 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 D3400 |
Sony a65 |
Name | Nikon D3400 | Sony a65 |
Manufacturer | Nikon | Sony |
Release Date and Price |
Nikon D3400 |
Sony a65 |
Release Year | 2016 | 2011 |
Release Date | 2016-08-17 | 2011-08-24 |
MSRP | 649 USD | 899 USD |
Buy it today |
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Camera Type |
Nikon D3400 |
Sony a65 |
Camera Type | DSLR | SLT |
Sensor |
Nikon D3400 |
Sony a65 |
Sensor Size |
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX" |
APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) |
Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 6000 x 4000 pixels | 6000 x 4000 pixels |
Megapixels | 24 MP | 24 MP |
Image Processor | EXPEED 4 | Bionz |
Image |
Nikon D3400 |
Sony a65 |
ISO Range | 100 - 25600 | 100 - 12800 |
White Balance Presets | 12 | 8 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization | No |
Yes (Sensor-Shift) |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Nikon D3400 |
Sony a65 |
Autofocus Motor | No | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 11 | 15 |
Lens Mount |
Nikon F See Compatible Lenses |
Sony A See Compatible Lenses |
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 |
APS-C Sensor (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 |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Nikon D3400 |
Sony a65 |
Articulated LCD | Fixed | Fully articulated |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 921000 | 921000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | TFT-LCD | N/A |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic |
Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.57× (0.38× 35mm equiv.) | 1.1× (0.73× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Nikon D3400 |
Sony a65 |
Frames per second | 5 fps | 10 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | 7 meters | 10 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | No |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) | +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Nikon D3400 |
Sony a65 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 H.264 |
MPEG4 H.264 AVCHD |
Video resolution |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 |
1440 x 1080 1920 x 1080 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Nikon D3400 |
Sony a65 |
Memory Card |
SD/SDHC |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Nikon D3400 |
Sony a65 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | No |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless |
Yes Built-In SnapBridge (Bluetooth only) |
Yes Eye-Fi Connected |
Remote Control | Yes (via smartphone or wireless remote) | Yes (Optional) |
GPS | No |
Yes Built-in |
Body & Dimensions |
Nikon D3400 |
Sony a65 |
Enviromentally sealed | No | No |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery and charger
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Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
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Battery Life (CIPA) | 1200 shots | 510 shots |
Width | 124 mm | 132 mm |
Height | 98 mm | 97 mm |
Depth | 76 mm | 81 mm |
Weight | 395 gram | 622 gram |