Sony a37 vs Nikon D3000

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a37 and Nikon D3000. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a37 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D3000 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a37 were released 2012 and Nikon D3000 was released 2009. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a37 2012
Nikon D3000 2009

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a37 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D3000 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 a37 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D3000 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 a37 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3000 has 10,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a37 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264
Nikon D3000 10,2 MP
10036224 pixels
3872 x 2592

Sony a37 has a 60 % larger resolution than Nikon D3000. 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 a37 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3000. Sony a37 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon D3000 has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a37 100-25600
Nikon D3000 100-3200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Sony a37 has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D3000 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D3000 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 a37
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3000

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a37 can shoot up to 5,5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3000 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a37 5,5
Nikon D3000 3

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 a37. Unfortunately Nikon D3000 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 D3000 weighs 536 gr (equal to 1.18 lb) which is 6% heavier than Sony a37 and its 506 gr (or 1.12 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a37 506 gr
1.12 lb
Nikon D3000 536 gr
1.18 lb

Sony a37 vs Nikon D3000 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a37 and Nikon D3000, 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 a37
Nikon D3000
Name Sony a37 Nikon D3000
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a37
Nikon D3000
Release Year 2012 2009
Release Date 2012-05-17 2009-07-30
MSRP 599 USD 599 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a37
Nikon D3000
Camera Type SLT DSLR
Sensor
Sony a37
Nikon D3000
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 CCD
Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 3872 x 2592 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 10,2 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED
Image
Sony a37
Nikon D3000
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 3200
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a37
Nikon D3000
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 15 11
Lens Mount Sony A

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 a37
Nikon D3000
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 2.6” 3”
Screen dots 230400 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.09× (0.73× 35mm equiv.) 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a37
Nikon D3000
Frames per second 5,5 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 12 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
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 steps)
Videography features
Sony a37
Nikon D3000
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
N/A
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Sony a37
Nikon D3000
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a37
Nikon D3000
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (Optional ML-L3)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a37
Nikon D3000
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FW50 battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL9a rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 500 shots 500 shots
Width 124 mm 126 mm
Height 92 mm 97 mm
Depth 85 mm 64 mm
Weight 506 gram 536 gram