Sony a290 vs Sony NEX-3

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a290 and Sony NEX-3. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Sony a290

Sony NEX-3

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

These two camera models were both released 2010.

Camera	Released
Sony a290	2010
Sony NEX-3	2010

Type of camera

Sony a290 is a DSLR camera while Sony NEX-3 is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Sony APS-C") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera	Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a290	75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Sony NEX-3	75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)

Resolution

Both these cameras have the exact same resolution. Sony a290 has a 14 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony NEX-3 has 14 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera	Megapixels
Sony a290	14 MP 14033152 pixels 4592 x 3056
Sony NEX-3	14 MP 14033152 pixels 4592 x 3056

ISO range

Sony NEX-3 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a290. Sony NEX-3 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 12800 while Sony a290 has 100 to 3200.

Camera	ISO Range
Sony a290	100-3200
Sony NEX-3	200-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a290
Lens compatibility chart for Sony NEX-3

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a290 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds and Sony NEX-3 can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a290	2,5
Sony NEX-3	7

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Sony NEX-3. Sadly, the Sony a290 does not support this.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Sony a290 weighs 549 gr (equal to 1.21 lb) which is 85% heavier than Sony NEX-3 and its 297 gr (or 0.65 lb).

Camera	Weight
Sony a290	549 gr 1.21 lb
Sony NEX-3	297 gr 0.65 lb