Sony a3000 vs Nikon D3100
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a3000 and Nikon D3100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a3000 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D3100 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a3000 were released 2013 and Nikon D3100 was released 2010. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a3000 | 2013 |
Nikon D3100 | 2010 |
Type of camera
Sony a3000 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D3100 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Sony a3000 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D3100 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.
Camera | Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 ** |
Sony a3000 | 75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
Nikon D3100 | 75 mm Nikon DX 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)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)
Resolution
Sony a3000 has a 20 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3100 has 14,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Sony a3000 |
20 MP
19816192 pixels 5456 x 3632 |
Nikon D3100 |
14,2 MP
14155776 pixels 4608 x 3072 |
Sony a3000 has a 40 % larger resolution than Nikon D3100. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.
ISO range
Sony a3000 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3100. Sony a3000 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 16000 while Nikon D3100 has 100 to 12800.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a3000 | 100-16000 |
Nikon D3100 | 100-12800 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
There is a big difference between these two cameras. Sony a3000 has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D3100 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D3100 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.
Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a3000
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3100
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a3000 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3100 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a3000 | 2,5 |
Nikon D3100 | 3 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Sony a3000 and Nikon D3100 can shoot movies.
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.
Nikon D3100 weighs 505 gr (equal to 1.11 lb) which is 23% heavier than Sony a3000 and its 411 gr (or 0.91 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a3000 | 411 gr 0.91 lb |
Nikon D3100 | 505 gr 1.11 lb |
Sony a3000 vs Nikon D3100 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a3000 and Nikon D3100, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.
Product |
Sony a3000 |
Nikon D3100 |
Name | Sony a3000 | Nikon D3100 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a3000 |
Nikon D3100 |
Release Year | 2013 | 2010 |
Release Date | 2013-08-27 | 2010-08-19 |
MSRP | 399 USD | 699 USD |
Buy it today |
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Camera Type |
Sony a3000 |
Nikon D3100 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a3000 |
Nikon D3100 |
Sensor Size | APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) |
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX" |
Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 5456 x 3632 pixels | 4608 x 3072 pixels |
Megapixels | 20 MP | 14,2 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz | EXPEED 2 |
Image |
Sony a3000 |
Nikon D3100 |
ISO Range | 100 - 16000 | 100 - 12800 |
White Balance Presets | 9 | 12 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Optical Steady Shot) |
No |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a3000 |
Nikon D3100 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | No |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 25 | 11 |
Lens Mount |
Sony E See Compatible Lenses |
Nikon F See Compatible Lenses |
Focal Length Multiplier |
APS-C Sensor (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm |
DX / APS-C (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Sony a3000 |
Nikon D3100 |
Articulated LCD | Fixed | Fixed |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 230400 | 230000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD monitor |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 95% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.7× (0.47× 35mm equiv.) | 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a3000 |
Nikon D3100 |
Frames per second | 2,5 fps | 3 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | 6 meters | 12 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | No |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Average |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a3000 |
Nikon D3100 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
H.264 AVCHD |
MPEG4 |
Video resolution |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 |
|
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | No |
Storage |
Sony a3000 |
Nikon D3100 |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a3000 |
Nikon D3100 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | No |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless | No |
Yes Eye-Fi Connected |
Remote Control |
Yes (via optional RM-VPR1)
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Optional
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GPS | No |
Yes Optional ![]() |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a3000 |
Nikon D3100 |
Enviromentally sealed | No | No |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
NP-FW50
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Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
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Battery Life (CIPA) | 470 shots | N/A |
Width | 128 mm | 124 mm |
Height | 91 mm | 96 mm |
Depth | 85 mm | 75 mm |
Weight | 411 gram | 505 gram |