Sony a3000 vs Nikon D3x
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a3000 and Nikon D3x. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a3000 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D3x is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a3000 were released 2013 and Nikon D3x was released 2008. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a3000 | 2013 |
Nikon D3x | 2008 |
Type of camera
Sony a3000 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D3x 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 D3x has a "Nikon FX"-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 D3x | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
** 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 D3x has 24,5 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 D3x |
24,5 MP
24385536 pixels 6048 x 4032 |
Nikon D3x has a 23 % larger resolution than Sony a3000. 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 D3x. Sony a3000 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 16000 while Nikon D3x has 100 to 6400.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a3000 | 100-16000 |
Nikon D3x | 100-6400 |
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 a3000
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3x
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 D3x can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a3000 | 2,5 |
Nikon D3x | 5 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Sony a3000. Unfortunately Nikon D3x does not support recording movies and movie clips.
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 D3x weighs 1260 gr (equal to 2.78 lb) which is 207% heavier than Sony a3000 and its 411 gr (or 0.91 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a3000 | 411 gr 0.91 lb |
Nikon D3x | 1260 gr 2.78 lb |
Sony a3000 vs Nikon D3x Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a3000 and Nikon D3x, 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 D3x |
Name | Sony a3000 | Nikon D3x |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a3000 |
Nikon D3x |
Release Year | 2013 | 2008 |
Release Date | 2013-08-27 | 2008-12-01 |
MSRP | 399 USD | 7470 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a3000 |
Nikon D3x |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a3000 |
Nikon D3x |
Sensor Size | APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) |
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm) Also known as "FX" |
Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 5456 x 3632 pixels | 6048 x 4032 pixels |
Megapixels | 20 MP | 24,5 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz | EXPEED |
Image |
Sony a3000 |
Nikon D3x |
ISO Range | 100 - 16000 | 100 - 6400 |
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 + TIFF |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a3000 |
Nikon D3x |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
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 Single Continuous LiveView |
Focus Points | 25 | 51 |
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 |
FX (Full frame) No multiplier Example: 24 mm remains 24 mm 50 mm remains 50 mm 100 mm remains 100 mm 200 mm remains 200 mm |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Sony a3000 |
Nikon D3x |
Articulated LCD | Fixed | Fixed |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 230400 | 920000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | TFT LCD | Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.7× (0.47× 35mm equiv.) | 0.7× |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a3000 |
Nikon D3x |
Frames per second | 2,5 fps | 5 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | Yes | No |
Built-in Flash Range | 6 meters | N/A |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | Yes |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a3000 |
Nikon D3x |
Video recording | Yes | No |
Video format |
H.264 AVCHD |
N/A |
Video resolution | N/A | |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | No |
Storage |
Sony a3000 |
Nikon D3x |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Compact Flash |
Connectivity |
Sony a3000 |
Nikon D3x |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | No |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless | No | No |
Remote Control |
Yes (via optional RM-VPR1)
|
Yes |
GPS | No |
Yes Optional through GP-1 |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a3000 |
Nikon D3x |
Enviromentally sealed | No | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
NP-FW50
|
Lithium-Ion EN-EL4a rechargeable battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 470 shots | 4400 shots |
Width | 128 mm | 160 mm |
Height | 91 mm | 157 mm |
Depth | 85 mm | 88 mm |
Weight | 411 gram | 1260 gram |