Nikon D3000 vs Sony Alpha 380 — 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 380
41
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D3000 and the Sony Alpha 380 are both interchangeable-lens DSLRs released in 2009, announced in April and May respectively. Age does not separate them, so the choice rests on their specification differences. The Sony measures 128 x 97 x 71 mm and weighs 519 g, against 126 x 97 x 64 mm and 536 g for the Nikon. The Sony is slightly lighter and the Nikon slightly shallower. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2009 | 2009 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
April 14, 2009 | May 18, 2009 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 126 x 97 x 64 mm | 128 x 97 x 71 mm |
| Camera weight | 536 g | 519 g |
| Optics | 43/100 | 46/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 380's in-body stabilisation is its strongest optical advantage: sensor shift steadies every lens on its Sony Alpha DT mount, helping handheld shooting in dim evening light. The D3000 has no sensor shift and uses the Nikon F DX mount, so steadier handheld work depends on the lens. Sony also gives more pixels for cropping, at 14.2 MP against 12.3 MP. The D3000 is the better camera for action and off-centre framing, offering 3 fps against 2.5 fps and 11 autofocus points against 9. Sony's standard ISO range reaches 3200, while Nikon stops at 1600 before its expanded 3200 setting. Both use APS-C CCD sensors and share a 1/4000 second top shutter speed. | ||
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, and neither offers built-in timelapse, so both are stills-only tools. Anyone wanting occasional movie capture alongside stills needs a different camera. | ||
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 380 is the more flexible camera for awkward angles, offering live view and a flip-out screen. You can hold it overhead at a parade or low near the ground and still frame the shot. The D3000 has neither, so every composition goes through the viewfinder. For reviewing images, the screens differ in size: the D3000's LCD is 3 inches, the Sony's 2.7 inches. Dot counts nearly match, at 230,000 versus 230,400. Both include a built-in flash and support an external flash, and neither offers GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. | ||
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 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBattery life is a tie: both rate 500 shots, on the Nikon EN-EL9a pack and the Sony NP-FH50. Each camera has a single card slot, and neither charges over USB, so each battery needs its own charger. Card format is where they split. The D3000 accepts SD and SDHC only, while the Alpha 380 also takes Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo, useful if you already own Sony cards. | ||
| 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 | 500 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Alpha 380 is the better pick for handheld shooting in fading light, odd angles and photographing children and pets, where live view and a flip-out screen help. Its sensor-shift stabilisation steadies every mounted lens, and its extra pixels give more room to crop a distant subject.
The D3000 is the stronger choice for straightforward stills such as landscape trips and casual sports, with a faster 3 fps burst, more autofocus points and a larger rear screen. Neither records video, so this is a stills-only decision between the Nikon F DX and Sony Alpha DT lens systems.