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Nikon D3000 vs Sony A550

Portability
69
Imaging
51
Features
36
Overall
45
Nikon D3000 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Nikon D3000
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 536g - 126 x 97 x 64mm
  • Announced December 2009
  • Replaced the Nikon D40
  • Successor is Nikon D3100
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Launched December 2009
  • Old Model is Sony A100
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Nikon D3000 vs Sony A550 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Nikon D3000 and Sony A550, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the D3000 (10MP) and A550 (14MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The D3000 was introduced about the same time to the A550 so they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief view of how the D3000 grades vs the A550 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3000 over the Sony A550

 D3000 A550 

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Nikon D3000

 A550 D3000 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k230kClearer display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D3000 and Sony A550

 D3000 A550 
LaunchedDecember 2009December 2009Similar age
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D3000 has exterior dimensions of 126mm x 97mm x 64mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") and a weight of 536 grams (1.18 lbs) and the Sony A550 has dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D3000 and Sony A550 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have at that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the D3000 against the A550.

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A550 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D3000 and A550 is 69 and 63 respectively.

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to visualise the difference between sensor sizes simply by going over specifications. The pic underneath might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the D3000 and A550.

Plainly, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Sony A550 to offer you extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a good deal more aggressively.

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3000 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3000 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A550 Portrait photography highlights
54
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (10MP)
72
focusing manually
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3000 Street photography advice
Sony A550 Street photography advice
58
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
no image stabilization
74
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D3000
Sports photography with Sony A550
39
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
bad battery life (500 shots)
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
terrible battery (480 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3000 Travel photography highlights
Sony A550 Travel photography highlights
45
has built in flash
no Time Lapse recording
bad battery life (500 per charge)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
52
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse recording
terrible battery (480 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3000 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A550 as a Landscape photography camera
52
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
bad battery life (500 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
66
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
terrible battery (480 CIPA)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3000 Vlogging information
Sony A550 Vlogging information
9
no video shooting
9
no video recording
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Nikon D3000 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3000 and Sony A550
 Nikon D3000Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D3000 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2009-12-11 2009-12-09
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3872 x 2592 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Highest boosted ISO 3200 -
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.53x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash options 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
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 536 grams (1.18 pounds) 632 grams (1.39 pounds)
Physical 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 score 62 66
DXO Color Depth score 22.3 21.9
DXO Dynamic range score 11.1 11.8
DXO Low light score 563 807
Other
Battery life 500 images 480 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL9a NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $0 $749