Sony NEX-6 vs Nikon D3400

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Sony NEX-6 vs Nikon D3400

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APS-C 366.6mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony NEX-6 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the NEX-6.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3400 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D3400 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D3400.
Compare Nikon D3400 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D3400 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A6000
Compare NEX-6 vs A6000

Succeeded by the Nikon D3500
Compare D3400 vs D3500

Compare SONY A6000 vs NIKON D3500

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Differences

Sony NEX-6 advantages over Nikon D3400

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Bigger pixels
~ 4.78 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
42 mm vs 75 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
469g vs 645g
Lighter weight
More viewfinder magnification
0.73x vs 0.57x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Faster JPEG shooting
9.7 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.8 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Nikon D3400 advantages over Sony NEX-6

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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.
D3400 test data on DxO Mark NEX-6 test data on DxO Mark

1,192 vs 1,018 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1200 vs 360 shots
Capture more photos
Newer
8 years vs 12 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More pixels
24.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 12 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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
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

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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 NEX-6 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3400 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony NEX-6

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 16-50mm and 55-210mm Lenses
Kit with 16-50mm Lens

All NEX-6 Deals

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Buy the Nikon D3400

Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Black)

Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm & 70-300mm Lenses (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Red)

All D3400 Deals

Review Excerpt

Very good image quality; More consumer-friendly control setup than NEX-7 but more advanced (actual Mode dial) than step-down models; OLED EVF and 3-inch tilting LCD monitor provide viewfinder flexibility; Fast and decisive AF on stationary subjects, and good continuous AF on normal moving subjects; Full HD 1080p video recording at up to 60p.
Hybrid AF system speed and accuracy still lags somewhat behind higher-end DSLRs; Wi-Fi features still rudimentary (join the club); LCD is not a touchscreen; User interface foibles.
Read our Sony NEX-6 Review

Compact DSLR camera body; Excellent image quality; Reliable single-shot autofocus; Good continuous JPEG shooting performance; New kit lens has improved AF; Great value at current prices.
SnapBridge is slow and limited; Poor continuous autofocus; No built-in Wi-Fi; Mediocre video features.
Read our Nikon D3400 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon T6i

Sony NEX-6

Canon T6i

$549
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony NEX-6 vs Canon T6i

Nikon D3400

Canon T6i

$497
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$699
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3400 vs Canon T6i

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-6

Sony NEX-5N

$549
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$700
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Sony NEX-6 vs Sony NEX-5N

Nikon D3400

Sony NEX-5N

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$700
APS-C

Bigger pixels
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D3400 vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Sony NEX-F3

Sony NEX-6

Sony NEX-F3

$549
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Sony NEX-6 vs Sony NEX-F3

Nikon D3400

Sony NEX-F3

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$600
APS-C

Bigger pixels
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D3400 vs Sony NEX-F3

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-6

Sony NEX-5R

$549
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Higher effective ISO

$499
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Sony NEX-6 vs Sony NEX-5R

Nikon D3400

Sony NEX-5R

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3400 vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Nikon D5500

Sony NEX-6

Nikon D5500

$549
APS-C

Focus peaking
Bigger pixels

$697
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

Compare Sony NEX-6 vs Nikon D5500

Nikon D3400

Nikon D5500

$497
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in Bluetooth

$697
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3400 vs Nikon D5500

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