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Nikon D3300 vs Sony A290

Portability
69
Imaging
66
Features
72
Overall
68
Nikon D3300 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Nikon D3300 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Nikon D3300
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 430g - 124 x 98 x 76mm
  • Released April 2014
  • Replaced the Nikon D3200
  • Successor is Nikon D3400
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
  • Released June 2010
  • Superseded the Sony A230
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Nikon D3300 vs Sony A290 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Nikon D3300 and Sony A290, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the D3300 (24MP) and A290 (14MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The D3300 was launched 3 years later than the A290 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short summary of how the D3300 matches up against the A290 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3300 over the Sony A290

 D3300 A290 
ReleasedApril 2014June 2010Fresher by 48 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Nikon D3300

 A290 D3300 

Common features in the Nikon D3300 and Sony A290

 D3300 A290 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Nikon D3300 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon D3300 offers physical measurements of 124mm x 98mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 430 grams (0.95 lbs) while the Sony A290 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Check the Nikon D3300 and Sony A290 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the D3300 against the A290.

Nikon D3300 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the D3300 and A290 is 69 and 66 respectively.

Nikon D3300 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3300 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizing just by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual here may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the D3300 and A290.

As you can see, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Nikon D3300 to offer you more detail utilizing its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more recent D3300 will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3300 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3300 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3300 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3300 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A290 as a Portrait photography camera
79
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
65
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3300 Street photography factors
Sony A290 Street photography factors
65
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition (430g)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D3300
Sports photography with Sony A290
68
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
great battery (700 CIPA)
supports phase detect AF
max frames per second low (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
terrible battery pack (290 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3300 Travel photography information
Sony A290 Travel photography information
67
great battery (700 CIPA)
lighter than competition (430g)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
53
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (290 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3300 Landscape photography factors
Sony A290 Landscape photography factors
73
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no low pass filter
saves RAW formats
great battery (700 per charge)
no image stabilization
lack of Timelapse mode
58
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no liveview feature
terrible battery pack (290 shots)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3300 Vlogging factors
Sony A290 Vlogging factors
33
includes face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone port
lighter than competition (430g)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
9
no video shooting
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Nikon D3300 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3300 and Sony A290
 Nikon D3300Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D3300 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2014-04-21 2010-06-09
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 4 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Cross focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT LCD (160 degree viewing angle) -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto slow sync, Auto slow sync with red-eye reduction, Auto with red-eye reduction, Fill-flash, Off, Rear-curtain sync, Rear-curtain with slow sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p fps), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 430 grams (0.95 lbs) 549 grams (1.21 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 98 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 82 66
DXO Color Depth score 24.3 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score 12.8 11.5
DXO Low light score 1385 615
Other
Battery life 700 photographs 290 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL14a NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs (1-9 exposures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $500 $600