Sony a3500 has a
20.0MP APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features BIONZ processor. On the other hand, Nikon D5300 has a
24.0MP APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Expeed 4 processor.
One other difference between these two cameras that is worth mentioning is that Nikon D5300's sensor doesn't have an anti-alias (Low-Pass) filter. Removing anti-alias filter increases the sharpness and level of detail but at the same time, it increases the chance of moiré occurring in certain scenes.
Below you can see the a3500 and D5300 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Sony a3500 and Nikon D5300 Cameras
Sony a3500 and Nikon D5300 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 a3500 has 21% larger pixel area compared to Nikon D5300, it has potential to collect more light on pixel level hence have less noise in low light / High ISO images.
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
Sony a3500
or the
Nikon D5300 ,
including hyperfocal distance.
