Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony A3000
92 Imaging
49 Features
62 Overall
54


69 Imaging
62 Features
54 Overall
58
Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony A3000 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 160 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 232g - 100 x 60 x 29mm
- Announced April 2014
- Earlier Model is Nikon 1 J3
- New Model is Nikon 1 J5
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 16000
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
- Released August 2013
- Successor is Sony a3500

Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony A3000 Overview
Its time to take a more detailed look at the Nikon 1 J4 versus Sony A3000, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the 1 J4 (18MP) and the A3000 (20MP) is pretty well matched but the 1 J4 (1") and A3000 (APS-C) offer different sensor sizing.

The 1 J4 was introduced 8 months later than the A3000 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Nikon 1 J4 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A3000 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting straight to a detailed comparison, here is a concise view of how the 1 J4 grades against the A3000 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony A3000 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon 1 J4 & Sony Alpha A3000. The whole galleries are provided at Nikon 1 J4 Gallery & Sony A3000 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J4 over the Sony A3000
1 J4 | A3000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | April 2014 | ![]() | August 2013 | More recent by 8 months |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+807k dot) |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony A3000 over the Nikon 1 J4
A3000 | 1 J4 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focus |
Common features in the Nikon 1 J4 and Sony A3000
1 J4 | A3000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen |
Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony A3000 Physical Comparison
If you're planning to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon 1 J4 offers exterior dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 29mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 232 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Sony A3000 has measurements of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).
See the Nikon 1 J4 versus Sony A3000 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at the time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the 1 J4 compared to the A3000.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 1 J4 and A3000 is 92 and 69 respectively.

Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony A3000 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it can be tough to imagine the difference between sensor measurements merely by reading through specs. The photograph underneath should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the 1 J4 and A3000.
All in all, both of those cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The 1 J4 using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF tougher and the Sony A3000 will give you more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The younger 1 J4 provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony A3000 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony A3000 Specifications
Nikon 1 J4 | Sony Alpha A3000 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon 1 J4 | Sony Alpha A3000 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2014-04-10 | 2013-08-27 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Expeed 4 | BIONZ image |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 13.2 x 8.8mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 116.2mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixel | 20 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 5232 x 3488 | 5456 x 3632 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 16000 |
Lowest native ISO | 160 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 171 | 25 |
Cross type focus points | 105 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Nikon 1 | Sony E |
Total lenses | 13 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.7 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 1,037k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.47x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Maximum silent shutter speed | 1/16000 secs | - |
Continuous shooting rate | 60.0 frames per second | 3.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m (ISO 100) | 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100) |
Flash settings | Auto, auto + red-eye reduction, fill-flash, fill-flash w/slow sync, rear curtain sync, rear curtain w/slow sync, redeye reduction, redeye reduction w/slow sync, off | Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync. |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1472 x 984 (60p, 30p) | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD, H.264, MP4 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 232 gr (0.51 lb) | 411 gr (0.91 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 100 x 60 x 29mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 78 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 12.8 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 1068 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 300 images | 470 images |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL22 | NP-FW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs) | Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | microSD/SDHC/SDXC | - |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch cost | $600 | $398 |