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Nikon D3000 vs Sony A500

Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
36
Overall
44
Nikon D3000 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
51
Features
52
Overall
51

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A500 Key Specs

Nikon D3000
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 536g - 126 x 97 x 64mm
  • Launched December 2009
  • Older Model is Nikon D40
  • Replacement is Nikon D3100
Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Released August 2009
  • Refreshed by Sony A560
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Nikon D3000 vs Sony A500 Overview

In this article, we are analyzing the Nikon D3000 versus Sony A500, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the D3000 (10MP) and the A500 (12MP) is very comparable and they use the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D3000 was introduced 4 months later than the A500 so they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before we go in to a full comparison, below is a short view of how the D3000 scores vs the A500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3000 over the Sony A500

 D3000 A500 

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Nikon D3000

 A500 D3000 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Nikon D3000 and Sony A500

 D3000 A500 
ReleasedDecember 2009August 2009Same age
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon D3000 comes with exterior dimensions of 126mm x 97mm x 64mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 536 grams (1.18 lbs) while the Sony A500 has sizing of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

Check the Nikon D3000 versus Sony A500 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose during that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the D3000 versus the A500.

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A500 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D3000 and A500 is 69 and 63 respectively.

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizing merely by checking out specs. The graphic underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the D3000 and A500.

All in all, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Sony A500 to provide more detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images far more aggressively.

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3000 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A500 as a Portrait photography camera
54
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have liveview
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
62
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
exports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon D3000 Street photography advice
Sony A500 Street photography advice
58
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
74
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3000 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A500 as a Sports photography camera
39
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
max fps very slow (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
not so great battery (500 per charge)
50
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12MP)
low battery power (520 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D3000
Travel photography with Sony A500
45
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
not so great battery (500 shots)
resolution not great (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
43
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
low battery power (520 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3000 Landscape photography details
Sony A500 Landscape photography details
51
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
resolution not great (10MP)
not so great battery (500 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
60
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
low battery power (520 per charge)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3000 Vlogging features
Sony A500 Vlogging features
9
no video recording
9
no video recording
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Nikon D3000 vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3000 and Sony A500
 Nikon D3000Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D3000 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2009-12-11 2009-08-27
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3872 x 2592 4272 x 2848
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Highest boosted ISO 3200 -
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.53x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/200s 1/160s
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 536g (1.18 lbs) 630g (1.39 lbs)
Dimensions 126 x 97 x 64mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 62 64
DXO Color Depth rating 22.3 21.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 11.6
DXO Low light rating 563 772
Other
Battery life 500 photos 520 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL9a NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $0 $638