Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D3200 – Detailed Comparison

In this article, we get to see how a mirrorless camera compares to a DSLR. However, more specifically, this review compares the Sony a6000 vs Nikon D3200; their features, upsides and downsides.

Click here to buy the Sony a6000 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Nikon D3200 on Amazon now.

Please note that the essence of this comparison article isn’t exactly to show you or help you decide which camera is the overall better camera. We’ve carefully compared the features of one camera with those of the other so that you can decide which camera is better suited for your needs.

That said, we know that you might be in a bit of a hurry to make a quick decision. This is why we have compressed information into the comparison overview and comparison table sections. You’ll get bite sized information to make a quick decision.

Nonetheless, we consider going through the entire article the better idea. One more thing. We recommend that you check out some of our other Sony-Nikon comparison articles like the Sony a68 vs Nikon D7100 and Sony a5000 vs Nikon D3200.

Table of Contents

Comparison Overview — Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D3200

Here’s a quick rundown of the important facts:

Overall Rating Of The Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D3200

Generally, you could say that both the Sony a6000 and the Nikon D3200 are good cameras. While you might not want to use either camera as your main professional camera, they both have features that make them good backup choices.

However, if we’ll be looking at the specifics, we would say that the Nikon D3200 is the better camera for recording videos just because it has a microphone port. While the Sony a6000 is better for taking quick shots because it has a better continuous shooting rate.

Rating Of The Features Of The Sony a6000 vs Nikon D3200

The Sony a6000 is a mirrorless camera while the Nikon D3200 is a DSLR. And this accounts for a number of differences between the cameras.

For one, they both have a viewfinder but not the same kind. While the Sony a6000 has an electronic viewfinder, the Nikon D3200 has an optical viewfinder. In addition, the Nikon D3200 is significantly heavier than the Sony a6000 and has the better battery life too.

However, there are some other difference that we cannot tie to the fact that one camera is a mirrorless while the other is a DSLR.

On the part of the Nikon D3200, there is the fact that it has a microphone port. On the other hand, the Sony a6000 has a better ISO range (100 to 25600 as opposed to 100 to 6400), a better continuous shooting rate (11 fps as against 4) and a wireless connection.

However, there are a number of similarities between these two cameras. There is the fact that they both have a 24 megapixel sensor resolution, face detection feature and they both support the use of the UHS-I memory card.

They do not, however, only have positive similarities as they are both not weather sealed, they both do not record 4k videos and they both do not have the in body image stabilization feature.

Which Has The Better Price-Value Ratio – Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D3200

Both the Sony a6000 and the Nikon D3200 are actually pretty affordable. However, the Nikon D3200 is even more affordable. For this reason, the D3200 will be giving you more value for your dollars than Sony a6000.

About The Brands

Sony

Sony is a Japanese conglomerate with a number of different arms. And while its most popular arm could be said to be the entertainment arm, its electronics arm, with emphasis on cameras is actually pretty popular too. Quality is definitely something that can be associated with Sony.

Nikon

Nikon is also a Japanese company but it is more specific than the Sony brand. It basically only has products in the imaging and optics industry and its products are some of the very celebrated ones in the industry.

Click here to buy the Sony a6000 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Nikon D3200 on Amazon now.

Comparison Table — Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D3200

 

Sony a6000

Nikon D3200

Weight 0.76 pounds 1.1 pounds
Dimensions 4.7 by 2.6 by 1.8 inches 4.9 by 3.7 by 3.03 inches
Wireless Connection Yes No
Viewfinder Electronic Optical
Sensor Resolution 24 megapixels 24 megapixels
Continuous Shooting 11 frames per second (fps) 4 frames per second (fps)
Battery Life 360 shots per charge 540 shots per charge
Microphone Port No Yes
Screen Type Tilting Screen Fixed Screen
ISO Range 100 to 25600 and can be expanded 51200 100 to 6400 and can be expanded to 12800

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Which Is Better For What? — Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D3200

Sony a6000

Nikon D3200

The Sony a6000 has the higher continuous shooting rate. So, it is the better camera for shooting in places where there is a lot of movement. On the other hand, an external microphone can be attached to this camera. This makes it the better camera for recording videos.
Also, this camera is the smaller and lighter camera. Consider getting this if you’ll be moving around a lot with your camera. Also, this camera has a slightly longer battery life than the Sony a6000.
Click here to buy the Sony a6000 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Nikon D3200 on Amazon now.

Common Features — Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D3200

Here are the features common to both the Sony a6000 and Nikon D3200:

i. Viewfinder

ii. Built-in flash

iii. 24 mega pixel sensor resolution

iv. UHS memory card compatibility

v. RAW support

vi. Face detection focus

Let us now discuss each of them in detail…

1. Viewfinder

Both the Sony a6000 and the Nikon D3200 have a viewfinder. And contrary to what you might believe, not all cameras come with a viewfinder.

First off, the viewfinder is that small screen-like thing you look through as you prepare to take your pictures.

Looking through the viewfinder, you’ll be able to figure out if there is anything wrong with the positioning lighting or something and fix it. That’s the basic idea of a viewfinder.

Now, there are two kinds of viewfinders. There is the optical viewfinder which every DSLR comes with (including the Nikon D3200) and the electronic viewfinder which a good number of mirrorless cameras have (including the Sony a6000).

There is a fundamental difference between an optical viewfinder and an electronic viewfinder. The optical viewfinder is kinda like a window; looking at a subject through it is practically the same as looking at said subject with your naked eye.

While this has its advantage as it can function without using battery power, there is a disadvantage to it. As we earlier said, the subjects appear in the viewfinder the way they appear to the naked eye. Now, this is not how your sensor sees the subjects and that is definitely not how things will appear on a photo.

On the other hand, an electronic viewfinder is basically an LCD screen, howbeit, a very small one. So, images on the viewfinder are a good representation of what your sensor sees and what you’ll see when the pictures are printed. However, the electronic viewfinder cannot work without power.

Despite all these, we’ve added this to our common features section because basically, they both have a viewfinder. And this is a better idea than the LCD screen that you’ll have to stick to with some other mirrorless cameras.

2. Built-In Flash

One very important factor to taking the right picture is lighting. Get the lighting wrong and you’ve probably destroyed what could have been an awesome picture.

Now, because camera manufacturers understand this fact, a good number of them have fitted their cameras with what could be described as quick fixes for this lighting situations; the bad lighting situations to be precise.

The more immediate solution is the inbuilt flash that both the Sony a6000 and the Nikon D3200. Now, the inbuilt flash cannot take care of all your poor lighting problems. However, it will sure come in handy sometimes.

The other option is the external flash port/shoe. This one is not exactly a flash but a provision for you to attach an external flash to. With the external flash, you’ll be able to sort out more of your poor lighting situations and even do flash photography if you are so inclined.

3. Sensor Resolution

This one speaks in megapixels and gives us an idea of the quality of photos a camera can give us. That is, the sensor resolution basically tells us how detailed our photos can get, whether or not you can crop and how large the prints can be.

That said, both the Sony a6000 and the Nikon D3200 have an impressive sensor resolution. 24 megapixels affords you more details, large prints and the allowance to crop. Basically, you’ll be getting great pictures from either camera.

4. Memory Card

Digital cameras usually save their photos to a memory card that has been slotted in. Now, there are different kinds of memory cards that allow photos to be transferred at varying speeds. But basically, both cameras can write their images to an SDXC card.

Furthermore, they are both compatible with the Ultra-High Speed (UHS) memory cards, the UHS-I to be precise. This kind of memory card allows for files to be transferred at really high speeds which will invariably reduce buffering.

5. RAW Support

RAW and jpeg are the formats which photos can take. A jpeg picture is usually smaller in size and so doesn’t take up so much space in storage. However, its quality isn’t reflective of the sensor resolution of the camera. This is why this format isn’t very popular among professional photographers.

On the other hand, RAW photos are quite large and so take quite some space in storage. However, they retain their quality as suggested by the sensor resolution, hence, their popularity amongst more professional photographers. Thankfully, both cameras in this review support both formats.

6. Face Detection Focus

Basically, the Sony a6000 and the Nikon D3200 have the ability to detect and focus on faces. This, to an extent, helps stabilize the sensor and reduce the chances of blur. The face detection feature makes both cameras good options for taking portraits.

Click here to buy the Sony a6000 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Nikon D3200 on Amazon now.

A Sony a6000 Demonstration Video

Unique Features — Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D3200

Mirrorless vs DSLR

This is the fundamental difference between these two cameras: the Sony a6000 is a mirrorless camera while the Nikon D3200 is a DSLR camera. And this difference is so fundamental that it actually accounts for the difference in how the two kinds of cameras work.

First off, the basic difference between a mirrorless and a DSLR is the absence/presence of a mirror and an optical viewfinder. A DSLR typically has the mirror and the optical viewfinder (as we pointed out earlier) while the mirrorless camera doesn’t.

That said, here is how things work. With a DSLR, light passes through the lens and hits the mirror. The mirror then bounces light onto the optical viewfinder (which allows you see the subject you’re focusing on) and also the Autofocus sensor.

On the other hand, because of the absence of a mirror, light goes through the lens of a mirrorless camera and hits the sensor straight up. The sensor then sends a digital image to the electronic viewfinder, hence, the reason you see images the way they look to your sensor.

Now, because of the absence of a mirror, mirrorless cameras are almost always lighter than DSLR cameras. While this is not always the case, it certainly is with the two cameras in this review.

Which is lighter: Sony a6000 or Nikon D3200?

A mirrorless camera is almost always the lighter camera when compared with a DSLR as is the case with the Sony a6000 and the Nikon D3200. The Sony a6000 weighs 0.76 pound while the Nikon D3200 weighs 1.1 pounds. Now, while the 0.5 pound difference is pretty significant, neither camera can be said to be heavy. The Sony a6000 is the better option if you’ll be traveling a lot with your camera as it is lighter and smaller. However, the Nikon D3200 is also comfortable to carry around.

Furthermore, in considering which camera is heavier or lighter, there is something else to consider aside the body and that is the lens or lenses. Depending on the kind of sensor both cameras have, one camera might require large and heavier lenses than the other.

That said, both cameras have the same APS-C size sensor. And the implication of this is that both cameras will require lenses of the same weight and size for the same aperture and focal length. As a result, the lenses do not have much of a role to play in determining which camera is heavier.

Which comes with built-in Wi-Fi: Sony a6000 or Nikon D3200?

The Sony a6000 has comes with built-in wireless connection; the Nikon D3200 does not. In this our time, it is becoming stranger and stranger to find a device that doesn’t have a medium of getting access to the internet. For a camera, this internet access will help it transfer files to an online location or even some other compatible device.

Which allows for a one touch wireless connection: Sony a6000 or Nikon D3200?

The Sony a6000 comes with near field communication which makes it possible for you to create a wireless connection with a compatible device with just one touch.

Which can be remote controlled: Sony a6000 or Nikon D3200?

The Sony a6000 can be controlled with a smartphone connected wirelessly. You basically just need to download the right app on said smartphone then establish a connection. Once that connection has been established, you’ll be able to take shots and even change settings from the smartphone.

Which allows for more flexible shooting: Sony a6000 or Nikon D3200?

The Sony a6000 comes with an articulating screen, making it the better camera for flexible shooting. An articulating screen is that kind of screen that can be moved in certain directions without having to move the camera body. It is an interesting feature that won’t exactly affect the quality of the photos taken but will sure help you take some creative photos.

There are two kinds of articulating: the tilting screen which can be moved upward and back down and the full-flex screen which can be rotated and can be used in recording oneself by oneself. Whatever the case, the general idea is to be able to shoot images from different interesting angles.

Having known all these, you will agree with us that an articulating screen is a better idea than a fixed screen.

Click here to buy the Sony a6000 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Nikon D3200 on Amazon now.

Which is better in low light: Sony a6000 or Nikon D3200?

The Sony a6000 has an ISO range of 100 – 25600, which is further expandable 51200, meanwhile that of the Nikon D3200 is between 100 and 6400, and can be expanded to 12800. The ISO is an important factor for taking the right photos. It is what tells us how sensitive a camera is or can get to light. That is, the ISO tells us, in numbers, how much light a camera can let in.

If you are in an area where the light isn’t bright enough, you’ll need a high ISO to balance things out. Set to a high ISO, a camera is able to let in as much light as is necessary which takes care of the poor lighting situation.

In fact, some cameras can be set to so high an ISO that they could take photos without using a flash. However, bear in mind that, with some cameras, a high ISO usually attracts a lot of noise or grains.

If, on the other hand, there is too much light like out in the sun, the better option is a low ISO. In a low ISO, the camera is able to only let in so much light, as little as is needed. This way, you do not get all the light that your environment has to offer, only as much as is needed.

Which has a longer lasting battery: Sony a6000 or Nikon D3200?

With the Sony a6000, you can get 360 shots before it needs to be charged while the Nikon D3200 can give you 540 shots per full charge of its battery. Now, the battery life of either camera might actually be enough to take care of your needs. However, we’ve definitely seen better from both DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.

Which is better for sports photography: Sony a6000 or Nikon D3200?

The Sony a6000 is the better camera for sports phorography. With this camera, you can take 11 frames per second in the continuous shooting mode while the Nikon D7100 offers only 4 frames per second. And for sports photography, considering that people and objects will be in motion, you need a camera that will be able to take as many frames as possible per second.

Which offers better audio quality: Sony a6000 or Nikon D3200?

The Nikon D3200 has a microphone port, which means you can easily get an external microphone and connect it to this camera to get really good audio quality. This makes the D3200 the better option for recording videos; the Sony a6000 does not have this port.

Which has more available lenses: Sony a6000 or Nikon D3200?

It is important to know how many lenses a camera has available to it, just so you know what you have to deal with. That said, while the Sony a6000 has 102 lenses available to it, the Nikon D3200 has 302.

Furthermore, neither camera has an in body image stabilization feature. The implication of this is that you could take pictures and because the sensor is not stabilized, photos could come out looking blurry.

But not to worry, you can take care of things by getting image stabilization lenses. The lenses, when attached, will help stabilize the sensor, thereby eliminating the possibility of having blurry photos. That said, while the Nikon D3200 has 88 of these available, the Sony a6000 has only 23 of them.

Click here to buy the Sony a6000 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Nikon D3200 on Amazon now.

A Nikon D3200 Demonstration Video

Unique Pros — Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D3200

Pros Of The Sony a6000

  • First off, the Sony a6000 has an inbuilt wireless feature. As a result, you can transfer your photos from this camera to an online location wirelessly.
  • Furthermore, this camera has the Near Field Communication connection. This one allows the camera connect with other devices that also have this feature. Via this connection, files can be transferred to other devices wirelessly too.
  • Also, the Sony a6000 can be controlled using a smartphone, provided a connection is established.
  • The Sony a6000 also has the better ISO range and can be expanded even wider.
  • Furthermore, this camera is the faster camera and will be a good idea for shooting subjects that tend to move around a lot.
  • Also, the Sony a6000 has way more focus points (179) than the Nikon D3200 (11).
  • The Sony a6000 has a better viewfinder coverage (100%) than the Nikon D3200 (95%). As a result, images will appear closer to their original size in the Sony a6000’s viewfinder than in the Nikon D3200’s viewfinder.
  • Furthermore, this camera is the lighter and smaller of the two cameras.
  • Also, this camera has a tilting screen which makes it easier to take photos from different angles.
  • Finally, the Sony a6000 is more affordable than the Nikon D3200.

Pros Of the Nikon D3200

  • First off, the Nikon D3200 has a slightly longer battery life than the Sony a6000.
  • Furthermore, this camera has a microphone port which means you can attach an external microphone to it. As a result, this might be the better camera for recording videos.
  • Also, the viewfinder of this camera has a longer coverage than that of the Sony a6000.
  • Finally, this camera has more lenses available to it than the Sony a6000.
Click here to buy the Sony a6000 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Nikon D3200 on Amazon now.

Unique Cons — Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D3200

Cons Of The Sony a6000

  • The Sony a6000 does not have a microphone port. Making do with the inbuilt microphone might not always be the best idea for a serious video.

Cons Of The Nikon D3200

  • First off, this camera does not have a wireless connection which means you can’t gain access to the internet.
  • Furthermore, the Nikon D3200 doesn’t have the NFC connection and also doesn’t have the Bluetooth feature. As a result, you cannot wirelessly transfer images from the camera to an off-camera device.
  • Also, this camera does not have an articulating screen which could stifle creativity a little.
  • Finally, the Nikon D3200 does not have a fast continuous shooting rate.

Check out these other articles:

Common Pros — Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D3200

 

Sony a6000

Nikon D3200

Viewfinder The Sony a6000 has a viewfinder which will help with focus and will also help you notice what needs to be changed or adjusted if any. This camera has an electronic viewfinder. Same as the Sony a6000.
Flash First off, this camera has an inbuilt flash which will come in handy if you are taking shots in a dark places. Also, this camera has an external flash port to which you can attach an external flash. This external flash will help with even more dark photography issues and will come in handy for flash photography. Same as the Sony a6000.
Sensor Resolution The Sony a6000 has a really good sensor resolution. As a result, photos taken with this camera will be really detailed and you can do the cropping you need. Same as the Sony a6000.
RAW Support The Sony a6000 can take photos in RAW. And while RAW photos take up a lot of space, they retain their original quality which is a good thing in the case of this camera. Same as the Sony a6000.
Face Detection This camera is also able to detect faces and focus on them, making it a good camera for taking portrait. Same as the Sony a6000.
UHS-I Memory Card Finally, the Sony a6000 supports the use of the UHS-I memory card. This memory card allows for transfer of photos to storage in really high speeds. Same as the Sony a6000.
Click here to buy the Sony a6000 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Nikon D3200 on Amazon now.

Common Cons — Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D3200

 

Sony a6000

Nikon D3200

Image Stabilization This camera does not have an image stabilization feature. As a result, photos taken with this camera could come out looking blurry. However, this can be taken care of by get image stabilization lenses. Same as the Sony a6000.
Weather Sealing Furthermore, this camera is not weather sealed. That a camera is weather sealed could mean that it is dustproof, water resistant, waterproof, a combination of two or a combination of all three. Now, because this camera is none of these, you’ll have to be careful when and where you use the camera. Same as the Sony a6000.
4K Videos This camera has a video resolution of 1920 by 1080. This means you cannot take 4k videos with the camera. Professional videographers usually shy away from this camera because of this. Same as the Sony a6000.
Headphone Port Finally, this camera does not have a headphone port. The inbuilt stereo might not give you the quality playback you’re looking for. Same as the Sony a6000.

What People Think About Both — Sony a6000 vs Nikon D3200

Sony a6000

Nikon D3200

The Sony a6000 looks to be popular among photographers who are looking to take that leap from beginner to somewhere before professional photographer. The 11 frames per second continuous shooting rate is one common thing that a lot of people like about this camera. The weight is sure another thing. People like that it is lightweight and so can be conveniently transported to places. It also doesn’t take so much space in storage. Of course the fact that it takes good pictures, has a wireless connection and can be operated via a smartphone also get people excited. The Nikon D3200 has also gotten good reviews of its own. First off, people like the picture quality of this one. In fact, one customer claims this camera is a good one across professional levels board (we don’t know about that one, though). People also like that the camera records decent videos with the aid of an external microphone. One customer even referred to this camera as the perfect camera for beginners. We’ll leave that to you to decide, though.
However, as we said, it is more popular among photographers and not videographers. The reason is that the Sony a6000 doesn’t come with a microphone port. As a result, videos recorded with this camera will not have quality sound. The few complaints are kinda around the absence of a wireless connection and basically any means of wirelessly transferring photos.
Click here to buy the Sony a6000 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Nikon D3200 on Amazon now.

Our Take — Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D3200

Sony a6000

Nikon D3200

While the Sony a6000 will not see to all your professional camera needs, it sure will do a good job as a backup camera. It has a decent continuous shooting rate, takes good pictures and stores the in a good format, has an inbuilt wireless connection and all these are in one light and compact frame. We also consider the Nikon D3200 a decent camera. It is significantly heavier than the Sony a5000 and yet not so heavy that it gives you cramps. It has its own viewfinder. Also, it has a microphone port which puts it ahead of its opponent in the video recording department.
We know that there are issues with this camera and we’ve even pointed them out. You already know that transferring your photos from this camera to another device could be an issue because of the absence of a wireless connection, NFC connection or even Bluetooth.
Click here to buy the Sony a6000 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Nikon D3200 on Amazon now.

Sony a6000 Vs Nikon D3200 – FAQs

Which is better: Nikon D3200 or D3400?

The Nikon D3400 is a better camera than the D3200, and that does not come as a surprise as the D3400 is obviously an upgrade from the D3200. Both of them belong to the same series and the D3400 was released 4 years after the D3200. So, with it, you get better battery life, better wireless connectivity, better low light performance, faster burst mode, and interestingly, all these improvements come in a smaller and more compact body.

So, well, you can surely understand why the D3400 costs nearly a hundred dollars more than the D3200.

How old is the Nikon D3200?

The Nikon D3200 was released by Nikon on the 19th of April, 2012, so, it probably falls in the league of “old school cameras”. This is why it should not be so surprising that it does not come with most of the latest technology you see in modern cameras.

The D3200 does not have built-in Wi-Fi, it does not have near field communication, does not have a flexible screen, and also cannot be remote controlled with a smartphone. Most of these can perhaps be forgiven when you consider when it was released.

Is the Nikon D3200 good for video?

The Nikon D3200 shoots full HD; that alone tells you that it is good enough to record videos with. However, there is more to video recording than just the visuals, and when you consider all those aspects, then you begin to question how good this camera really is to record with.

The D3200 does not have an external microphone jack, so, you will be limited entirely to the built-in mic which is notorious for picking background noise. It also does not have an articulating screen, so, self-recording is pretty much of out the picture.

How long does the Nikon D3200’s battery last?

The Nikon D3200 can get you up to 540 shots per full charge of its battery, and while this is not so amazing considering that this is a DSLR camera we are talking about here (DSLRs are known for their really good batteries), it also should perhaps be commended seeing as the D3200 is only an entry-level camera.

Basically, you should be able to go a couple rounds of undisturbed shooting with the Nikon D3200 as an amateur. Furthermore, considering the price, we think this battery is great.

Is the Nikon D3200 good for beginners?

The Nikon D3200 is such a good camera for beginner photographers. One of the major reasons is that it is very budget-friendly. As a matter of fact, this is one of the most affordable DSLR cameras you will find in the market. And for a newbie, you definitely want to start out with something that won’t eat deep into your pocket.

You also would like something that you can easily find your way around, and the Nikon D3200 happens to check that box, too. It is a very intuitive camera. To add to that, it is pretty compact — especially for a DSLR — so, you can easily take this with you anywhere and everywhere.

Is the Nikon D3200 good in low light?

The Nikon D3200 will be doing a pretty decent job in low light; good enough to satisfy any amateur photographer. It has an ISO range of 100 – 6400, but the good thing is that that maximum is further expandable to 12800. Of course, there are ranges far wider than what this camera offers, but considering it was designed specifically for beginners, this is just fine.

Also, the D3200 comes with a built-in flash and a hot shoe on which an external flash can be mounted, so, if you think you’d get better results by lighting the place up, you can also go that route.

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