Nikon D3000 vs Sony A55
69 Imaging
51 Features
36 Overall
45
67 Imaging
56 Features
80 Overall
65
Nikon D3000 vs Sony A55 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 3200)
- No Video
- Nikon F Mount
- 536g - 126 x 97 x 64mm
- Released December 2009
- Succeeded the Nikon D40
- Updated by Nikon D3100
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
- Released August 2010
- Replacement is Sony A57
Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels Nikon D3000 vs Sony A55 Overview
Below is a in-depth assessment of the Nikon D3000 and Sony A55, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the D3000 (10MP) and A55 (16MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe D3000 was unveiled 8 months earlier than the A55 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).
Before getting into a complete comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the D3000 matches up against the A55 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon D3000 and Sony SLT-A55. The full galleries are provided at Nikon D3000 Gallery and Sony A55 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D3000 over the Sony A55
| D3000 | A55 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Nikon D3000
| A55 | D3000 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | August 2010 |  | December 2009 | More recent by 8 months |
| Screen type | Fully Articulated |  | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
| Screen resolution | 921k |  | 230k | Sharper screen (+691k dot) |
| Selfie screen |  | Take selfies |
Common features in the Nikon D3000 and Sony A55
| D3000 | A55 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus |  | Very exact focus | ||
| Screen dimensions | 3" |  | 3" | Equal screen sizing |
| Touch friendly screen |  | Neither contains Touch friendly screen |
Nikon D3000 vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison
When you are going to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D3000 has got 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) while the Sony A55 has dimensions of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") along with a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).
Take a look at the Nikon D3000 and Sony A55 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use at that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the D3000 vs the A55.
Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D3000 and A55 is 69 and 67 respectively.
Nikon D3000 vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements merely by viewing a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the D3000 and A55.
Clearly, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Sony A55 to result in extra detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The older D3000 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.
Nikon D3000 vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder
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Nikon D3000 vs Sony A55 Specifications
| Nikon D3000 | Sony SLT-A55 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Nikon | Sony |
| Model type | Nikon D3000 | Sony SLT-A55 |
| Category | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Released | 2009-12-11 | 2010-08-24 |
| Body design | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | Expeed | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
| Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 23.6 x 15.8mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor surface area | 372.9mm² | 366.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 10MP | 16MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Full resolution | 3872 x 2592 | 4912 x 3264 |
| Max native ISO | 1600 | 12800 |
| Max boosted ISO | 3200 | 25600 |
| Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW images | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Tracking autofocus | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect focus | ||
| Contract detect focus | ||
| Phase detect focus | ||
| Total focus points | 11 | 15 |
| Cross type focus points | - | 3 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | Nikon F | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Amount of lenses | 309 | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
| Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Display resolution | 230k dot | 921k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder resolution | - | 1,150k dot |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 100 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.53x | 0.73x |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Continuous shooting speed | 3.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 10.00 m (@ ISO 100) |
| 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 |
| External flash | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Maximum flash sync | 1/200 secs | 1/160 secs |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) |
| Max video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
| Video file format | - | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
| Mic jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Eye-Fi Connected |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | BuiltIn |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 536 grams (1.18 lb) | 500 grams (1.10 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 126 x 97 x 64mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") | 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around rating | 62 | 73 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 22.3 | 23.0 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.1 | 12.4 |
| DXO Low light rating | 563 | 816 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 500 photographs | 380 photographs |
| Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | EN-EL9a | NP-FW50 |
| 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/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Storage slots | Single | Single |
| Cost at launch | $0 | $800 |
