Nikon D3000 vs Sony A290
69 Imaging
51 Features
36 Overall
45
66 Imaging
54 Features
47 Overall
51
Nikon D3000 vs Sony A290 Key Specs
(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
(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
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).
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoThe 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.
Nikon D3000 vs Sony A290 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon D3000 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. The complete galleries are available at Nikon D3000 Gallery & Sony A290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D3000 over the Sony A290
D3000 | A290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display sizing | 3" | 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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | December 2009 | June 2010 | Same age | |
Focus manually | More exact focusing | |||
Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
Display resolution | 230k | 230k | Exact 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.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.
Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D3000 and A290 is 69 and 66 respectively.
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 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Nikon D3000 vs Sony A290 Specifications
Nikon D3000 | Sony 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 |