Nikon D3100 vs Sony Alpha 290 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 14.8 MP · APS-C
Nikon D3100
41
WINNER
|
Sony · DSLR · 14.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 290
40
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D3100 and the Sony Alpha 290 are both DSLRs released in 2010, so neither offers a newer generation of technology. The D3100 is the smaller and lighter body, measuring 124 x 96 x 75 mm and weighing 505 g, against 128 x 97 x 86 mm and 549 g for the Alpha 290. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2010 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 1, 2010 | June 1, 2010 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 124 x 96 x 75 mm | 128 x 97 x 86 mm |
| Camera weight | 505 g | 549 g |
| Optics | 41/100 | 46/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony Alpha 290 is the steadier camera for handheld work in dim light, because it offers in-body stabilisation and the Nikon D3100 does not. Any lens you mount on it, including an unstabilised prime, gets steadier framing for indoor portraits or evening scenes. The D3100 relies on stabilised lenses instead. For moving subjects the Nikon D3100 is the stronger pick, shooting at 3 fps against 2.5 fps with 11 autofocus points against 9 for tracking a child or pet. Its expanded ISO reaches 12800, while the Alpha 290 stops at 3200. Both share the standard 100 to 3200 ISO range, APS-C format and 1/4000 second top shutter. The mounts differ, Nikon F DX against Sony Alpha DT, so lenses do not swap between brands. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
14.8 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. |
4608 x 3072 | 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. |
CMOS | 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. |
15.4 x 23.1 | 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 2 | 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. |
32003003280000 | 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. |
128003003280000 | 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, so anyone who wants movie clips alongside stills will need a separate device or a different camera. Neither offers a built-in timelapse mode either. | ||
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 | 36/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Sony Alpha 290 is the easier camera for waist-level and overhead compositions, because its LCD tilts while the Nikon D3100's screen is fixed. The D3100 counters with a larger display, 3 inches against 2.7 inches, though both deliver about 230,000 dots. Both cameras offer live view, a built-in flash and support for an external flash. Neither has GPS for geotagging travel photos, and neither has Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for wireless transfer. Neither body has weather sealing. | ||
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. |
 Yes | 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 | 53/100 | 16/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Nikon D3100 carries the far higher battery rating, 4500 shots for its EN-EL14 pack against 290 shots for the Sony Alpha 290's NP-FH50. That is a 4210-shot gap in the rated figures, making the Alpha 290 the body to pack a spare battery for. The Nikon D3100 takes SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, so it supports the higher-capacity SDXC format for long outings. The Alpha 290 takes SD and SDHC plus Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo cards, which suits anyone already carrying Sony media. Both have a single card slot, and neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL14 | NP-FH50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
4500 shots1505000 | 290 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Nikon D3100 is the better choice for photographing moving subjects and shooting through a long day. Its 3 fps burst and 11 autofocus points suit children, pets and casual sports, and its expanded ISO 12800 gives extra reach when light fades. Its 4500-shot battery rating and SDXC support suit long outings.
Choose the Sony Alpha 290 if handheld stability matters more than speed. Its in-body stabilisation steadies every lens for indoor portraits and evening street shots, and its tilting screen helps frame from low or high angles. Neither records video, so the choice comes down to the D3100's speed and stamina against the Alpha 290's stabilisation and screen, plus the lens system you prefer.