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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A290

Portability
68
Imaging
54
Features
59
Overall
56
Nikon D3100 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Nikon D3100
(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
Sony A290
(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
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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).

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The 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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Sony A290

 D3100 A290 
IntroducedDecember 2010June 2010Fresher by 7 months
Display size3"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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual 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).

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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.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the D3100 and A290 is 68 and 66 respectively.

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3100 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D3100
Portrait photography with Sony A290
72
has manual focus
decent megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
65
has manual focus
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
exports RAW files
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3100 Street photography features
Sony A290 Street photography features
58
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3100 Sports photography info
Sony A290 Sports photography info
60
decent megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
supports phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
does not have liveview
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
not so great battery power (290 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3100 Travel photography details
Sony A290 Travel photography details
58
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
53
good MP (14MP)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse recording
not so great battery power (290 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3100 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A290 as a Landscape photography camera
65
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse function
58
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
small screen (2.7 inches)
does not have liveview
not so great battery power (290 per charge)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3100 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A290 as a Vlogging camera
27
has face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
no external mic jack
9
can't record video
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Nikon D3100 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3100 and Sony A290
 Nikon D3100Sony 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