Nikon D3100 vs Sony A290
68 Imaging
54 Features
59 Overall
56
66 Imaging
54 Features
47 Overall
51
Nikon D3100 vs Sony A290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200 (Bump to 12800)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 505g - 124 x 96 x 75mm
- Revealed December 2010
- Succeeded the Nikon D3000
- Renewed by Nikon D3200
(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
- Introduced June 2010
- Succeeded the Sony A230
Nikon D3100 vs Sony A290 Overview
Here, we are contrasting the Nikon D3100 vs Sony A290, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the D3100 (14MP) and the A290 (14MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe D3100 was launched 7 months later than the A290 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).
Before diving right into a detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the D3100 scores versus the A290 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Nikon D3100 vs Sony A290 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon D3100 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. The complete galleries are viewable at Nikon D3100 Gallery and Sony A290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Sony A290
D3100 | A290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | December 2010 | June 2010 | Fresher by 7 months | |
Display size | 3" | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Nikon D3100
A290 | D3100 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon D3100 and Sony A290
D3100 | A290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | More precise focusing | |||
Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
Display resolution | 230k | 230k | Equal display resolution | |
Selfie screen | Lack of selfie screen | |||
Touch friendly display | Neither comes with Touch friendly display |
Nikon D3100 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon D3100 comes with outside measurements of 124mm x 96mm x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") and a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) while the Sony A290 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).
Contrast the Nikon D3100 vs Sony A290 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the D3100 versus the A290.
Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the D3100 and A290 is 68 and 66 respectively.
Nikon D3100 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing simply by reading through a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the D3100 and A290.
As you can see, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size and the exact same resolution therefore you should expect similar quality of photographs though you should really take the release date of the products into consideration. The more recent D3100 is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.
Nikon D3100 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Nikon D3100 vs Sony A290 Specifications
Nikon D3100 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon D3100 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 |
Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2010-12-21 | 2010-06-09 |
Body design | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Expeed 2 | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.1 x 15.4mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 355.7mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3072 | 4592 x 3056 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Maximum boosted ISO | 12800 | - |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
Cross focus points | 1 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Nikon F | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Total lenses | 309 | 143 |
Crop factor | 1.6 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3" | 2.7" |
Display resolution | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display tech | TFT LCD monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.53x | 0.55x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 3.0 frames per second | 3.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash modes | Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/200s | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) | - |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video format | MPEG-4 | - |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 505 gr (1.11 lb) | 549 gr (1.21 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 124 x 96 x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") | 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 67 | 66 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.5 | 22.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.3 | 11.5 |
DXO Low light score | 919 | 615 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 550 photos | 290 photos |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL14 | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Price at launch | $565 | $600 |