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Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony A3000

Portability
93
Imaging
45
Features
60
Overall
51
Nikon 1 S2 front
 
Sony Alpha A3000 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
54
Overall
59

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony A3000 Key Specs

Nikon 1 S2
(Full Review)
  • 14.2MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 190g - 101 x 61 x 29mm
  • Revealed May 2014
  • Older Model is Nikon 1 S1
Sony A3000
(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
  • Launched August 2013
  • Successor is Sony a3500
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Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony A3000 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Nikon 1 S2 versus Sony A3000, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the 1 S2 (14.2MP) and A3000 (20MP) and the 1 S2 (1") and A3000 (APS-C) have different sensor measurements.

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The 1 S2 was launched 9 months later than the A3000 so they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Nikon 1 S2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A3000 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the 1 S2 scores vs the A3000 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 S2 over the Sony A3000

 1 S2 A3000 
LaunchedMay 2014August 2013More recent by 9 months
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A3000 over the Nikon 1 S2

 A3000 1 S2 

Common features in the Nikon 1 S2 and Sony A3000

 1 S2 A3000 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony A3000 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera often, you will want to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon 1 S2 provides physical dimensions of 101mm x 61mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 190 grams (0.42 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).

Look at the Nikon 1 S2 versus Sony A3000 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the 1 S2 and the A3000.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony A3000 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the 1 S2 and A3000 is 93 and 69 respectively.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony A3000 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony A3000 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to imagine the gap in sensor measurements purely by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the 1 S2 and A3000.

As you can see, both of those cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The 1 S2 because of its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF trickier and the Sony A3000 will result in more detail utilizing its extra 5.8MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The more modern 1 S2 provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony A3000 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony A3000 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony A3000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon 1 S2
Portrait photography with Sony A3000
60
you can focus manually
good megapixels (14.2MP)
decent sensor size (1")
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW files
can't use external flash
77
has manual focus
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon 1 S2
Street photography with Sony A3000
71
decent sensor size (1")
saves RAW files
lighter than competitors (190g)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
57
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (411 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Sports photography information
Sony A3000 Sports photography information
60
quiet shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
max frames per second high (60.0 frames per second)
good megapixels (14.2 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
comes with tracking autofocus
supports phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
not so great battery (270 shots)
60
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
good battery (470 shots)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon 1 S2
Travel photography with Sony A3000
66
lighter than competitors (190g)
good megapixels (14.2 megapixels)
flash built-in
missing Timelapse function
not so great battery (270 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
60
good battery (470 shots)
decent megapixels (20MP)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (411g)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Landscape photography info
Sony A3000 Landscape photography info
60
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
nice screen size (3")
good megapixels (14.2MP)
decent sensor size (1")
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
not so great battery (270 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
70
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
decent megapixels (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
good battery (470 shots)
no image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Vlogging features
Sony A3000 Vlogging features
33
comes with face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (190g)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
missing external microphone jack
26
has face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
does not have external mic port
heavier than competition in class (411g)
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Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony A3000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 S2 and Sony A3000
 Nikon 1 S2Sony Alpha A3000
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon 1 S2 Sony Alpha A3000
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2014-05-21 2013-08-27
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 4A BIONZ image
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 13.1 x 8.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 115.3mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14.2 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4592 x 3072 5456 x 3632
Highest native ISO 12800 16000
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 171 25
Cross type focus points 73 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon 1 Sony E
Number of lenses 13 121
Crop factor 2.7 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.47x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shooting speed 60.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
Flash modes Fill, fill 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
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p) 1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 AVCHD, H.264, MP4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 190 gr (0.42 lbs) 411 gr (0.91 lbs)
Physical dimensions 101 x 61 x 29mm (4.0" 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 270 shots 470 shots
Style of battery 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
Storage media microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC -
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $450 $398