Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-3N
66 Imaging
53 Features
47 Overall
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89 Imaging
57 Features
52 Overall
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Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-3N 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
- Introduced June 2010
- Superseded the Sony A230
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 16000
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 269g - 110 x 62 x 35mm
- Launched February 2013
- Superseded the Sony NEX-F3
- Refreshed by Sony a5000
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Here, we are contrasting the Sony A290 versus Sony NEX-3N, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both manufactured by Sony. The image resolution of the A290 (14MP) and the NEX-3N (16MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).
Photography GlossaryThe A290 was unveiled 3 years before the NEX-3N which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-3N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick view of how the A290 matches up vs the NEX-3N when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 & Sony Alpha NEX-3N. The full galleries are viewable at Sony A290 Gallery & Sony NEX-3N Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Sony NEX-3N
| A290 | NEX-3N |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Sony A290
| NEX-3N | A290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | February 2013 | June 2010 | Newer by 33 months | |
| Display type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting display | |
| Display size | 3" | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") | |
| Display resolution | 460k | 230k | Sharper display (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Sony A290 and Sony NEX-3N
| A290 | NEX-3N | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | More exact focus | |||
| Selfie screen | No selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly display | Neither features Touch friendly display |
Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-3N Physical Comparison
For those who are going to travel with your camera, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Sony A290 enjoys exterior dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs) and the Sony NEX-3N has proportions of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).
Compare the Sony A290 versus Sony NEX-3N in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Below is a front view size comparison of the A290 and the NEX-3N.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A290 and NEX-3N is 66 and 89 respectively.
Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-3N Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is very hard to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions purely by looking at specs. The pic below will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A290 and NEX-3N.
All in all, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but different resolution. You can anticipate the Sony NEX-3N to resolve more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more aged A290 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.
Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and ViewFinder
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Sony A290 vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications
| Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | Sony Alpha NEX-3N | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Sony | Sony |
| Model | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | Sony Alpha NEX-3N |
| Class | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Introduced | 2010-06-09 | 2013-02-25 |
| Physical type | Compact SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | Bionz | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
| Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 23.5 x 15.7mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor area | 369.0mm² | 366.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4592 x 3056 | 4912 x 3264 |
| Max native ISO | 3200 | 16000 |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 200 |
| RAW images | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| AF single | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detect AF | ||
| Contract detect AF | ||
| Phase detect AF | ||
| Number of focus points | 9 | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | Sony/Minolta Alpha | Sony E |
| Amount of lenses | 143 | 121 |
| Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display size | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of display | 230k dots | 460k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch functionality | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | None |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | - |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.55x | - |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
| Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Continuous shutter rate | 3.0fps | 4.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) | - |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless | - |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Max flash synchronize | 1/160 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 |
| Max video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
| Video data format | - | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
| Mic port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 549 gr (1.21 lb) | 269 gr (0.59 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") | 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | 66 | 74 |
| DXO Color Depth score | 22.6 | 22.8 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 11.5 | 12.5 |
| DXO Low light score | 615 | 1067 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 290 pictures | 480 pictures |
| Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | NP-FH50 | NPFW50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | - |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Storage type | Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Retail price | $600 | $399 |