Nikon D610 vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

      Nikon D610

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
      71
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      61
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D610 and the Sony Alpha DSLR-A500, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Nikon D610 was introduced in October 2013 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 was introduced in August 2009. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Nikon D610 Highlights

      • 24.3 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 6,400 Native ISO
      • 39 Focus Points (39 Cross-type)
      • 3.2" 921k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 6.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Built-in Flash
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 Highlights

      • 12.3 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 200 - 12,800 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 230k dot Tilting Screen
      • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
      • 5.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Nikon D610
      4. Advantage of Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Nikon D610 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A500.

      PROS

      Nikon D610

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

      •   Video Capture
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   High DxO Overall Score - 94
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Nikon D610

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Video Capture
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.3 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 520 shots


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Nikon D610

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

      •   Price
      •   Sensor Resolution - 24.3 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   -1 EV Min AF Detection
      •   39 Focus Points
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   Weight - 850 g (1.87 lb / 29.98 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 900 shots
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 64
      •   Weight - 630 g (1.39 lb / 22.22 oz)

      Advantage of Nikon D610

      Nikon D610
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D610 over Sony Alpha DSLR-A500.

      Nikon D610 vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
      Video Capture vs
      Larger Sensor Full Frame vs APS-C
      Higher Sensor Resolution 24.3 Megapixel vs 12.3 Megapixel
      Lower Native ISO 100 vs 200
      Max Image Resolution 6016 x 4016 vs 4272 x 2848
      Timelapse Recording vs
      More Focus Points 39 vs 9
      Center Autofocus vs
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Larger Screen 3.2" vs 3.0"
      Higher Resolution Screen 921k dot vs 230k dot
      Top LCD Screen vs
      Higher Viewfinder Coverage 100% vs 95%
      Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.70x vs 0.53x
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 6.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/200 sec vs 1/160 sec
      Average Metering vs
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 2925 vs 772
      Higher DxO Color Depth 25.1 vs 21.8
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 14.4 vs 11.6
      Higher DxO Overall Score 94 vs 64
      Built-in Microphone Mono vs
      Microphone Input vs
      Headphone Output vs
      Environmental Sealing vs
      Longer Battery Life 900 shots vs 520 shots
      More Storage Slots 2 vs 1

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D610.

      Nikon D600
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      Full Frame

      24.3 MP

      Nikon D7200
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Panasonic S5
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      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Nikon Z7 II
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      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Nikon D2Xs
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      APS-C

      12.4 MP

      Nikon D200
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Canon 70D
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      APS-C

      20.2 MP

      Sony NEX-6
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Canon 1D III
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      APS-H

      10.1 MP

      Nikon Z8
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      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Canon 6D II
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      Full Frame

      26.2 MP

      Panasonic G10
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Advantage of Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

      Sony DSLR-A500
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 over Nikon D610.

      Nikon D610 vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
      Higher Native ISO 6,400 vs 12,800
      Image Stabilization vs Sensor Shift
      Screen Type Fixed vs Tilting
      Lighter 850 g (1.87 lb / 29.98 oz) vs 630 g (1.39 lb / 22.22 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sony Alpha DSLR-A500.

      Sony DSLR-A390
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      APS-C

      14.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A200
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A350
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      APS-C

      14.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A550
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      APS-C

      14.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A380
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      APS-C

      14.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A850
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      Full Frame

      24.6 MP

      Sony DSLR-A100
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A230
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A300
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A700
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      APS-C

      10.24 MP

      Sony DSLR-A900
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      Full Frame

      24.6 MP

      Sony DSLR-A330
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Nikon D610 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
        Face Detection
        Live View Autofocus
        Built-in Flash
        HDMI Output Mini Type C
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Nikon D610 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi via optional Wu-1b mobile adapter
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Nikon D610 has a 3.2" Fixed screen with 921k dot resolution and Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 has a 3.0" Tilting screen with 230k dot resolution. Tilting screen makes Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 very useful for photography purposes but not so useful for video shooting.

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      Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 with Tilting screen


      Viewfinder

      Nikon D610 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinderSony Alpha DSLR-A500 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder. Nikon D610 has 100% coverage with 0.70x magnification and Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 has 95% coverage with 0.80x (0.53x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

      Sensor

      Nikon D610 features a 24.3 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 35.9 x 24.0 mm and a total area of 861.6 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400 and expands to 100 - 25,600 in boosted mode. Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 features a 12.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.5 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 243.4 mm2. Its native ISO range is 200 - 12,800.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Nikon D610 is equipped with EXPEED 3 processor and can take pictures up to 6016 x 4016 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4512 x 3008, 3936 x 2624, 3008 x 2008, 3008 x 1688, 2944 x 1968 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 is equipped with BIONZ processor and can take pictures up to 4272 x 2848 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4272 x 2400, 3104 x 2072, 3104 x 1744, 2128 x 1416, 2188 x 1192 with 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Nikon D610 has Nikon F lens mount and Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 has Sony A lens mount. Due to Full Frame sensor in Nikon D610 its crop factor is equal to 1x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length. Due to APS-C sensor in Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 its crop factor is equal to 1.5x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


      In-Body Image Stabilization on Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 has a built-in Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when camera is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Nikon D610 has a Mini Type C HDMI and Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 has an HDMI connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Nikon D610 comes with EN-EL15 battery pack with battery life of 900 shots and Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 comes with NP-FM500H battery pack with battery life of 520 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Nikon D610 has Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slots. Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 has a single SD/SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Nikon D610 has Electronic shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon D610, and up to 1/4000 sec on Sony Alpha DSLR-A500. Nikon D610 can shoot continuously up to 6.0 fps. Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps.


      Focusing

      Nikon D610 has 39 (9 cross-type) focusing points and Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 has 9 focusing points. Nikon D610 has detection range from -1 to +19 EV.


      Exposure

      Exposure meterings of Nikon D610 ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Nikon D610 and ±2 EV range on Sony Alpha DSLR-A500. You can also do exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D610 and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Sony Alpha DSLR-A500.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m at ISO 100 on Nikon D610 and 12.00 m on Sony Alpha DSLR-A500. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe or Wireless connection to Nikon D610. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on Nikon D610 and 1/160 sec on Sony Alpha DSLR-A500.

      Physical Parameters

      Nikon D610 body has dimensions of 141 x 113 x 82 mm (5.55 x 4.45 x 3.23") and Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 body has dimensions of 137 x 104 x 84 mm (5.39 x 4.09 x 3.31"). Nikon D610 weighs 850 g (1.87 lb / 29.98 oz) and Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 weighs 630 g (1.39 lb / 22.22 oz).

      Nikon D610

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

      141 mm

      113 mm

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      137 mm

      104 mm

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      113 mm

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      104 mm

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      82 mm

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      84 mm

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      Size comparisons of Nikon D610 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

      Nikon D610 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Nikon D610

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

      EXCELLENT
      85
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Nikon D610

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

      GOOD
      73
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   39 Focus Points
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
      •   Battery Life - 900 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      70
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 520 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Nikon D610

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   39 Focus Points
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Battery Life - 900 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      62
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 520 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Nikon D610

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

      GOOD
      81
      •   Large Sensor
      •   39 Focus Points
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      82
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Nikon D610

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

      GOOD
      80
      •   Large Sensor
      •   39 Focus Points
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 850 g (1.87 lb / 29.98 oz)
      GOOD
      81
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 630 g (1.39 lb / 22.22 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Nikon D610

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

      GOOD
      77
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 850 g (1.87 lb / 29.98 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 900 shots
      GOOD
      80
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 630 g (1.39 lb / 22.22 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 520 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Nikon D610 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 and give them scores of 71 and 61 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Nikon D610

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

      OVERALL
      71
      OVERALL
      61

      Sensor

      Nikon D610

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

      GOOD
      74
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 24.3 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   High DxO Overall Score - 94
      AVERAGE
      67
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.3 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 64

      Photo

      Nikon D610

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

      GOOD
      70
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      GOOD
      70
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec

      Video

      Nikon D610

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

      BAD
      16
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      BAD
      0
      •   Image Stabilization

      Focusing

      Nikon D610

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

      GOOD
      83
      •   -1 EV Min AF Detection
      •   39 Focus Points
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      GOOD
      75
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Nikon D610

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

      GOOD
      73
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      GOOD
      71
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot

      Connectivity

      Nikon D610

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

      GOOD
      79
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      AVERAGE
      57
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Nikon D610

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

      GOOD
      74
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 850 g (1.87 lb / 29.98 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 900 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      POOR
      41
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 630 g (1.39 lb / 22.22 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 520 shots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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