Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-3
66 Imaging
54 Features
47 Overall
51
89 Imaging
54 Features
55 Overall
54
Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(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
- Succeeded the Sony A230
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
- Announced June 2010
- New Model is Sony NEX-C3
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Lets take a closer look at the Sony A290 versus Sony NEX-3, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are offered by Sony. The resolution of the A290 (14MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is pretty close and both cameras have the identical sensor size (APS-C).
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneThe A290 was unveiled very close to the NEX-3 so they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting right into a complete comparison, here is a concise summation of how the A290 scores against the NEX-3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Below is a preview of the gallery images for Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 & Sony Alpha NEX-3. The full galleries are provided at Sony A290 Gallery & Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony NEX-3
| A290 | NEX-3 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Sony A290
| NEX-3 | A290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting screen |
| Screen size | 3" |  | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
| Screen resolution | 920k |  | 230k | Clearer screen (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony NEX-3
| A290 | NEX-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | June 2010 |  | June 2010 | Same age |
| Manual focus |  | Very accurate focus | ||
| Selfie screen |  | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
| Touch friendly screen |  | Lack of Touch friendly screen |
Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and measurements. The Sony A290 offers external measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") along with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3 has proportions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Check the Sony A290 versus Sony NEX-3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have at that time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the A290 against the NEX-3.
Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A290 and NEX-3 is 66 and 89 respectively.
Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is hard to see the gap in sensor measurements merely by researching a spec sheet. The visual here will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the A290 and NEX-3.
Clearly, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size and the identical resolution so you can expect comparable quality of photos although you should factor the age of the cameras into account.
Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder
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Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
| Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Sony | Sony |
| Model type | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
| Class | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Announced | 2010-06-09 | 2010-06-07 |
| Physical type | Compact SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | Bionz | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
| Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 23.5 x 15.7mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor surface area | 369.0mm² | 365.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 14MP | 14MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Full resolution | 4592 x 3056 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Max native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 200 |
| RAW files | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect autofocus | ||
| Contract detect autofocus | ||
| Phase detect autofocus | ||
| Total focus points | 9 | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | Sony/Minolta Alpha | Sony E |
| Number of lenses | 143 | 121 |
| Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display size | 2.7" | 3" |
| Resolution of display | 230 thousand dots | 920 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Display technology | - | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | None |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95% | - |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.55x | - |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Continuous shooting rate | 3.0fps | 7.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Maximum flash synchronize | 1/160 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | - | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Max video resolution | None | 1280x720 |
| Video format | - | MPEG-4 |
| Mic support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 549 gr (1.21 pounds) | 297 gr (0.65 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around rating | 66 | 68 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 22.6 | 22.1 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.5 | 12.0 |
| DXO Low light rating | 615 | 830 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 290 photographs | 330 photographs |
| Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | NP-FH50 | NPFW50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | Single | Single |
| Cost at launch | $600 | $0 |