Nikon D3000 vs Sony Alpha 290 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 12.3 MP · APS-C
Nikon D3000
36
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 14.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 290
40
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D3000 and Sony Alpha 290 are both DSLRs, announced in April 2009 and June 2010. The Nikon is the smaller and lighter body: 126 x 97 x 64 mm and 536 g against the Sony's 128 x 97 x 86 mm and 549 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2009 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
April 14, 2009 | June 1, 2010 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 126 x 97 x 64 mm | 128 x 97 x 86 mm |
| Camera weight | 536 g | 549 g |
| Optics | 43/100 | 46/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 290 is the better pick for handheld shooting in dim interiors, because its in-body sensor-shift stabilisation works with every lens mounted. The D3000 has no in-body stabilisation, so steady handheld results depend on the lens. The Sony also offers more room to crop distant subjects with 14.2 MP against 12.3 MP. The Nikon has the faster stills tools: 3 fps against the Sony's 2.5 fps, and 11 autofocus points against 9. The Sony reaches 3200 ISO natively, while the D3000 needs its expanded range. Both use APS-C CCD sensors, share the same optical pentamirror viewfinder, and top out at the same 1/4000 second. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.3 MP050 | 14.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
3872 x 2592 | 4592 x 3056 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CCD | CCD |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.8 x 23.6 | 15.8 x 23.6 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
3 fps045 | 2.5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Nikon F DX | Sony Alpha DT |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Expeed | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
16003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
32003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
110300 | 90300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video or offers a built-in timelapse, so both rule themselves out if you need clips alongside your stills. This shared limit leaves the choice entirely to their stills capabilities. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 23/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 290 is the more flexible camera for framing away from your eye, offering a flip screen and live view. You can hold it low or overhead and still see the screen. The D3000 has a fixed screen and no live view, so every composition goes through the viewfinder. The D3000 has the larger display at 3 inches against 2.7 inches, giving more room for reviewing photos and reading menus. Both cameras include a built-in flash and a hot shoe for an external unit. Neither offers GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so location tagging and wireless transfers need separate solutions. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 2.7" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 2304001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
No |  Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 27/100 | 16/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D3000 is the stronger choice for a long day away from a charger, rated for 500 shots per charge of its EN-EL9a battery against 290 shots from the Sony's NP-FH50. That rated gap favours the Nikon across a full event or holiday. Neither camera charges over USB, so both need their mains charger. The Sony accepts more card types: SD and SDHC plus Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo, while the Nikon takes SD and SDHC only. Both keep a single card slot, so there is no second card for overflow or backup. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC | SD / SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL9a | NP-FH50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
500 shots1505000 | 290 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony Alpha 290 if you shoot handheld in low light with unstabilised lenses, or want to frame from waist level and overhead: its sensor-shift stabilisation, flip screen and live view cover all three situations. The extra megapixels also help when cropping tightly into a distant subject.
Choose the Nikon D3000 for active subjects such as children or sports, where its faster continuous rate and two extra autofocus points pay off, or for long days away from a charger. The choice then rests on the Sony's stabilisation and framing flexibility against the Nikon's speed, battery life and larger screen.