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Nikon D3200 vs Sony A290

Portability
67
Imaging
64
Features
63
Overall
63
Nikon D3200 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Nikon D3200
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Boost to 12800)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 505g - 125 x 96 x 77mm
  • Announced July 2012
  • Older Model is Nikon D3100
  • Renewed by Nikon D3300
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
  • Announced June 2010
  • Superseded the Sony A230
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Nikon D3200 vs Sony A290 Overview

Below is a detailed review of the Nikon D3200 versus Sony A290, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the D3200 (24MP) and A290 (14MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D3200 was released 2 years later than the A290 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before going straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a simple summation of how the D3200 grades versus the A290 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3200 over the Sony A290

 D3200 A290 
AnnouncedJuly 2012June 2010More recent by 26 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Nikon D3200

 A290 D3200 

Common features in the Nikon D3200 and Sony A290

 D3200 A290 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon D3200 has got physical dimensions of 125mm x 96mm x 77mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") and a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) whilst the Sony A290 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D3200 versus Sony A290 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have at the time. Here is the front view size comparison of the D3200 versus the A290.

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D3200 and A290 is 67 and 66 respectively.

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to picture the difference in sensor measurements merely by researching a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the D3200 and A290.

Clearly, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Nikon D3200 to render more detail as a result of its extra 10MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more modern D3200 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3200 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3200 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A290 as a Portrait photography camera
78
you can focus manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
65
manual focus
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3200 as a Street photography camera
Sony A290 as a Street photography camera
60
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3200 Sports photography info
Sony A290 Sports photography info
65
good resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
supports phase detect autofocus
low frames per second (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview feature
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
bad battery (290 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D3200
Travel photography with Sony A290
59
good resolution (24MP)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
53
good MP (14MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
bad battery (290 shots)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3200 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A290 as a Landscape photography camera
69
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3")
good resolution (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
missing Time Lapse mode
58
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no liveview feature
bad battery (290 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3200 Vlogging features
Sony A290 Vlogging features
27
comes with face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
missing external mic socket
9
no video shooting
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Nikon D3200 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3200 and Sony A290
 Nikon D3200Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D3200 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2012-07-25 2010-06-09
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 3 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.2 x 15.4mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 357.3mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 6016 x 4000 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest boosted ISO 12800 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 9
Cross type focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT LCD with 160� viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 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
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 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 (30,25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 505 gr (1.11 pounds) 549 gr (1.21 pounds)
Dimensions 125 x 96 x 77mm (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 rating 81 66
DXO Color Depth rating 24.1 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.2 11.5
DXO Low light rating 1131 615
Other
Battery life 540 photographs 290 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots One One
Retail cost $530 $600