Clicky

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A3000

Portability
68
Imaging
53
Features
59
Overall
55
Nikon D3100 front
 
Sony Alpha A3000 front
Portability
69
Imaging
62
Features
54
Overall
58

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A3000 Key Specs

Nikon D3100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Raise to 12800)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 505g - 124 x 96 x 75mm
  • Announced December 2010
  • Previous Model is Nikon D3000
  • Newer Model is Nikon D3200
Sony A3000
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
  • Introduced August 2013
  • Successor is Sony a3500
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A3000 Overview

The following is a complete assessment of the Nikon D3100 and Sony A3000, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Nikon and Sony. There is a significant difference between the resolutions of the D3100 (14MP) and A3000 (20MP) but they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The D3100 was revealed 3 years earlier than the A3000 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Nikon D3100 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony A3000 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise view of how the D3100 matches up vs the A3000 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

        

Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Sony A3000

 D3100 A3000 

Reasons to pick Sony A3000 over the Nikon D3100

 A3000 D3100 
IntroducedAugust 2013December 2010Newer by 32 months

Common features in the Nikon D3100 and Sony A3000

 D3100 A3000 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A3000 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon D3100 comes with external measurements of 124mm x 96mm x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") along with a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) whilst the Sony A3000 has specifications of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") and a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D3100 and Sony A3000 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have at that time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the D3100 and the A3000.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A3000 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the D3100 and A3000 is 68 and 69 respectively.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A3000 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A3000 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reading a spec sheet. The image below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the D3100 and A3000.

As you can see, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Sony A3000 to offer you extra detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged D3100 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A3000 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A3000 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A3000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D3100
Portrait photography with Sony A3000
71
you can focus manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focus
exports RAW formats
77
manual focus
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon D3100 Street photography highlights
Sony A3000 Street photography highlights
58
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
56
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than others in class (411 grams)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Nikon D3100 Sports photography factors
Sony A3000 Sports photography factors
59
good resolution (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
supports phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
59
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
good battery pack (470 per charge)
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect autofocus
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Nikon D3100 Travel photography highlights
Sony A3000 Travel photography highlights
57
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
60
good battery pack (470 CIPA)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than others in class (411 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3100 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A3000 as a Landscape photography camera
65
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3")
good resolution (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
missing Time Lapse recording
70
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (470 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
missing Timelapse mode
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3100 Vlogging information
Sony A3000 Vlogging information
26
has face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
missing mic socket
26
has face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
missing external microphone socket
more heavy than others in class (411g)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A3000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3100 and Sony A3000
 Nikon D3100Sony Alpha A3000
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D3100 Sony Alpha A3000
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2010-12-21 2013-08-27
Physical type Compact SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 2 BIONZ image
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.1 x 15.4mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 355.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3072 5456 x 3632
Max native ISO 3200 16000
Max enhanced ISO 12800 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 25
Cross focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Sony E
Number of lenses 309 121
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.47x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
Flash options Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) 1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 AVCHD, H.264, MP4
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 Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 505 gr (1.11 lbs) 411 gr (0.91 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 96 x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 67 78
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 12.8
DXO Low light score 919 1068
Other
Battery life 550 images 470 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL14 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $565 $398