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Nikon D3000 vs Sony A290

Portability
69
Imaging
51
Features
36
Overall
45
Nikon D3000 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Nikon D3000
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 536g - 126 x 97 x 64mm
  • Introduced December 2009
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D40
  • New Model is Nikon D3100
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Launched June 2010
  • Succeeded the Sony A230
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Nikon D3000 vs Sony A290 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Nikon D3000 versus Sony A290, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. There exists a large gap among the image resolutions of the D3000 (10MP) and A290 (14MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The D3000 was released 6 months prior to the A290 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before going straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a short summary of how the D3000 scores vs the A290 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3000 over the Sony A290

 D3000 A290 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Nikon D3000

 A290 D3000 

Common features in the Nikon D3000 and Sony A290

 D3000 A290 
LaunchedDecember 2009June 2010Same age
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera, you have to consider its weight and size. The Nikon D3000 features physical dimensions of 126mm x 97mm x 64mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") having a weight of 536 grams (1.18 lbs) and the Sony A290 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Examine the Nikon D3000 versus Sony A290 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose during that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the D3000 vs the A290.

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D3000 and A290 is 69 and 66 respectively.

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its difficult to imagine the difference in sensor measurements merely by going through a spec sheet. The graphic below might give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D3000 and A290.

Clearly, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can anticipate the Sony A290 to show greater detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics far more aggressively.

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3000 Portrait photography info
Sony A290 Portrait photography info
54
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have liveview
low MP (10MP)
65
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3000 Street photography features
Sony A290 Street photography features
58
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D3000
Sports photography with Sony A290
39
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
terrible battery power (500 CIPA)
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
does not have liveview
slow frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
low battery life (290 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D3000
Travel photography with Sony A290
45
flash built-in
no Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (500 per charge)
low MP (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
53
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
low battery life (290 per charge)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D3000
Landscape photography with Sony A290
52
focusing manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
terrible battery power (500 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
58
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
does not have liveview
low battery life (290 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3000 Vlogging factors
Sony A290 Vlogging factors
9
can't record video
9
can't record video
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Nikon D3000 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3000 and Sony A290
 Nikon D3000Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D3000 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2009-12-11 2010-06-09
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3872 x 2592 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 3200 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/200 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 536 grams (1.18 pounds) 549 grams (1.21 pounds)
Dimensions 126 x 97 x 64mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 62 66
DXO Color Depth rating 22.3 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 11.5
DXO Low light rating 563 615
Other
Battery life 500 shots 290 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL9a NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $0 $600