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Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs

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
  • Succeeded the Sony A230
Sony NEX-3
(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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Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview

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).

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The 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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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 typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony NEX-3

 A290 NEX-3 
AnnouncedJune 2010June 2010Same 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A290 and NEX-3 is 66 and 89 respectively.

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A290
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-3
65
you can focus manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
exports RAW files
no liveview feature
72
focusing manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A290 Street photography advice
Sony NEX-3 Street photography advice
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
fixed screen
76
has a tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A290
Sports photography with Sony NEX-3
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
no liveview feature
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
not so great battery power (290 CIPA)
52
MP count good (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A290 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Travel photography camera
53
good resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse recording
not so great battery power (290 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
59
MP count good (14MP)
no Time Lapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A290
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-3
58
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
small screen (2.7 inch)
no liveview feature
not so great battery power (290 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
68
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
MP count good (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A290
Vlogging with Sony NEX-3
9
no video shooting
27
features face detection autofocus
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic support
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Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A290 and Sony NEX-3
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290Sony 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