• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 50.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Nikon D5600 advantages over Sony A1

  • Less expensive
    $897 vs $4998*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 970 vs 530 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Sony A1 advantages over Nikon D5600

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    No vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/400 vs 1/200 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    4 years vs 8 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.90x vs 0.55x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    50.1 vs 24.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    30.0 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    165 vs 100 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    20.0 fps vs 4.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    155 vs 8 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5600

Review Excerpt

  • Compact camera body; Very good touchscreen display; Excellent image quality for its class; Good overall performance.

  • Not many improvements compared to its predecessor, with some downgrades; No 4K video recording.

The Competition

Compared to Pentax KP

Nikon D5600
Pentax KP
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony A1
Pentax KP
  • $5498
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Canon SL2

Nikon D5600
Canon SL2
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
Sony A1
Canon SL2
  • $5498
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Nikon D3500

Nikon D5600
Nikon D3500
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $709
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
Sony A1
Nikon D3500
  • $5498
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $709
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection

Compared to Sony A7R IV

Nikon D5600
Sony A7R IV
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $3120
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony A1
Sony A7R IV
  • $5498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Longer video battery life
  • $3120
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite

Compared to Canon R5

Nikon D5600
Canon R5
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony A1
Canon R5
  • $5498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • NFC
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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