Nikon D3200 has a
24.0MP APS-C (23.2 x 15.4 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Expeed 3 processor. On the other hand, Sony a5000 has a
20.0MP APS-C (23.2 x 15.4 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Bionz X processor.
Below you can see the D3200 and a5000 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon D3200 and Sony a5000 Cameras
Nikon D3200 and Sony a5000 have the same sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture. On the other hand, since Sony a5000 has 21% larger pixel area (18.03µm 2 vs 14.85µm 2 ) compared to Nikon D3200, it has larger pixel area to collect light hence potential to have less noise in low light / High ISO images.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
Both Nikon D3200 and Sony a5000 sensors have been tested by DxoMark. DxoMark scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Of the two cameras that we are comparing, D3200 has scored 81, 2 points higher than a5000.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Nikon D3200
81
24.1 bits
13.2 Evs
1131 ISO
Sony a5000
79
23.8 bits
13.0 Evs
1089 ISO
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Nikon D3200
or the
Sony a5000 ,
including hyperfocal distance.
