Sony A65 vs Nikon D3200

Cameras
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Sony A65 vs Nikon D3200

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APS-C 369.7mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A65 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A65.

APS-C 357.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3200 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D3200.

Succeeded by the Nikon D3300
Compare D3200 vs D3300
Compare Sony A65 vs Nikon D3300

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Differences

Sony A65 advantages over Nikon D3200

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
More cross-type AF points
3 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.28 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.73x vs 0.53x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More AF points
15 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon D3200 advantages over Sony A65

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 2.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D3200 test data on DxO Mark A65 test data on DxO Mark

1,131 vs 717 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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

Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A65 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3200 User Reviews

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Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-55m Lens

All A65 Deals

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Buy the Nikon D3200

Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All D3200 Deals

Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Sony A65.
Read our Sony A65 Initial Test

High resolution allows cropping; Good performance in low light; Compact and comfortable, highly portable; Fast and responsive, just begs to take pictures; Quiet shutter is great for candids.
Mediocre kit lens; Might be too small for some; No bracketing; Narrow flash coverage; Matrix metering tends to overexpose.
Read our Nikon D3200 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D5100

Sony A65

Nikon D5100

$798
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$650
APS-C

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A65 vs Nikon D5100

Nikon D3200

Nikon D5100

$477
APS-C

Less expensive
More pixels

$650
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3200 vs Nikon D5100

Compared to Nikon D5200

Sony A65

Nikon D5200

$798
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$590
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A65 vs Nikon D5200

Nikon D3200

Nikon D5200

$477
APS-C

Bigger RAW buffer

$590
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D3200 vs Nikon D5200

Compared to Sony A58

Sony A65

Sony A58

$798
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in GPS

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Sony A65 vs Sony A58

Nikon D3200

Sony A58

$477
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3200 vs Sony A58

Compared to Canon T5i

Sony A65

Canon T5i

$798
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$539
APS-C

Lens selection
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A65 vs Canon T5i

Nikon D3200

Canon T5i

$477
APS-C

Fast startup
Better color depth

$539
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3200 vs Canon T5i

Compared to Nikon D3300

Sony A65

Nikon D3300

$798
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$382
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A65 vs Nikon D3300

Nikon D3200

Nikon D3300

$477
APS-C

Has anti-aliasing filter
Bigger RAW buffer

$382
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D3200 vs Nikon D3300

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