Nikon D2H vs Sony Alpha 3000

      Nikon D2H

      Sony Alpha 3000
      57
      Image cannot be found
      61
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found

      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D2H and the Sony Alpha 3000, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Nikon D2H was introduced in December 2003 and Sony Alpha 3000 was introduced in August 2013. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Nikon D2H Highlights

      • 4.1 MP APS-C JFET Sensor
      • 200 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 2.5" 211k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 8.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Sony Alpha 3000 Highlights

      • 20.1 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 16,000 Native ISO
      • 25 Focus Points (25 Cross-type)
      • 3.0" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • Electronic Viewfinder
      • 2.5 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Nikon D2H
      4. Advantage of Sony Alpha 3000
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Nikon D2H and Sony Alpha 3000.

      PROS

      Nikon D2H

      Sony Alpha 3000

      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Cheap
      •   Video Capture
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz)

      CONS

      Nikon D2H

      Sony Alpha 3000

      •   No Video Capture
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 4.1 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 211k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 40
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   Heavy - 1200 g (2.65 lb / 42.33 oz)
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 470 shots


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Nikon D2H

      Sony Alpha 3000

      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 8.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Sensor Resolution - 20.1 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 78

      Advantage of Nikon D2H

      Nikon D2H
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D2H over Sony Alpha 3000.

      Nikon D2H vs Sony Alpha 3000
      Timelapse Recording vs
      Phase Detection for Autofocus vs
      Top LCD Screen vs
      Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.57x vs 0.47x
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/8000 sec vs 1/4000 sec
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 8.0 fps vs 2.5 fps
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/250 sec vs 1/160 sec
      Environmental Sealing vs

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D2H.

      Nikon D6
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      20.8 MP

      Nikon D1H
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      2.7 MP

      Nikon D4
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      16.2 MP

      Nikon D1
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      2.66 MP

      Nikon D4s
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      16.2 MP

      Nikon D3
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      12.1 MP

      Nikon D3S
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      12.1 MP

      Nikon D2X
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      12.4 MP

      Nikon D5
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      20.8 MP

      Nikon D1X
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      5.3 MP

      Nikon D3X
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      24.5 MP

      Nikon D2Hs
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      4.1 MP

      Advantage of Sony Alpha 3000

      Sony a3000
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Alpha 3000 over Nikon D2H.

      Nikon D2H vs Sony Alpha 3000
      Video Capture vs
      Sensor Type JFET vs CMOS
      Higher Sensor Resolution 4.1 Megapixel vs 20.1 Megapixel
      Lower Native ISO 200 vs 100
      Higher Native ISO 1,600 vs 16,000
      Max Image Resolution 2464 x 1632 vs 5456 x 3632
      Center Autofocus vs
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Face Detection vs
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Larger Screen 2.5" vs 3.0"
      Higher Resolution Screen 211k dot vs 230k dot
      Live View vs
      Built-in Flash vs
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 352 vs 1068
      Higher DxO Color Depth 18.9 vs 23.7
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 10.0 vs 12.8
      Higher DxO Overall Score 40 vs 78
      HDMI Output vs Type C Mini
      Built-in Microphone vs Stereo
      Lighter 1200 g (2.65 lb / 42.33 oz) vs 411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sony Alpha 3000.

      Sony a7S III
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      12.1 MP

      Sony a1
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      50.1 MP

      Canon 5DS
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Nikon D3200
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Sony a3500
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      20 MP

      Nikon Z8
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Sony a7R II
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      42.4 MP

      Canon 70D
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      20.2 MP

      Sony SLT-A68
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A290
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      14.2 MP

      Sigma SD15
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      5 MP

      Canon Rebel T5
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      WEAKNESSES Nikon D2H Sony Alpha 3000
        No Image Stabilization
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Resolution Screen211k dot230k dot
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Nikon D2H has a 2.5" screen with 211k dot resolution and Sony Alpha 3000 has a 3.0" screen with 230k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.


      Viewfinder

      Nikon D2H has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinderSony Alpha 3000 has a built-in Electronic viewfinder. They both have 100% coverage.

      Sensor

      Nikon D2H features a 4.1 megapixel APS-C JFET sensor with dimensions of 23.3 x 15.5 mm and a total area of 361.2 mm2. Its native ISO range is 200 - 1,600. Sony Alpha 3000 features a 20.1 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.5 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 243.4 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 16,000.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Nikon D2H can take pictures up to 2464 x 1632 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 1840 x 1224 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Sony Alpha 3000 is equipped with BIONZ processor and can take pictures up to 5456 x 3632 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3872 x 2576, 2736 x 1824 with 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Nikon D2H has Nikon F lens mount and Sony Alpha 3000 has Sony E lens mount. Due to their APS-C sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


      No Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Nikon D2H it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Sony Alpha 3000 nothing can be done. On Sony Alpha 3000 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D2H nothing can be done.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Sony Alpha 3000 comes with NP-FW50 battery pack with battery life of 470 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Nikon D2H has a single CompactFlash (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA), MicroDrive card slot. Sony Alpha 3000 has a single card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Nikon D2H has Charge-coupled electronic and mechanical shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D2H, and up to 1/4000 sec on Sony Alpha 3000. Nikon D2H can shoot continuously up to 8.0 fps. Sony Alpha 3000 can shoot continuously up to 2.5 fps.


      Focusing

      Nikon D2H has Sony Alpha 3000 has Contrast-detection AF system with 25 focusing points..


      Flash

      Sony Alpha 3000 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 4m at ISO100 and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. Nikon D2H has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec on Nikon D2H and 1/160 sec on Sony Alpha 3000.

      Physical Parameters

      Nikon D2H body has dimensions of 158 x 150 x 86 mm (6.22 x 5.91 x 3.39") and Sony Alpha 3000 body has dimensions of 128 x 91 x 85 mm (5.04 x 3.58 x 3.35"). Nikon D2H weighs 1200 g (2.65 lb / 42.33 oz) and Sony Alpha 3000 weighs 411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz).

      Nikon D2H

      Sony Alpha 3000

      158 mm

      150 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      128 mm

      91 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      150 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      91 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      86 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      85 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      Size comparisons of Nikon D2H and Sony Alpha 3000

      Nikon D2H and Sony Alpha 3000 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Nikon D2H

      Sony Alpha 3000

      GOOD
      75
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 211k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      70
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Nikon D2H

      Sony Alpha 3000

      AVERAGE
      55
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 211k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 8.0 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      66
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 470 shots

      Wildlife Photography

      Nikon D2H

      Sony Alpha 3000

      AVERAGE
      58
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 211k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 8.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      58
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 470 shots

      Portrait Photography

      Nikon D2H

      Sony Alpha 3000

      GOOD
      71
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 211k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      77
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec

      Street Photography

      Nikon D2H

      Sony Alpha 3000

      GOOD
      71
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 211k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1200 g (2.65 lb / 42.33 oz)
      GOOD
      80
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Nikon D2H

      Sony Alpha 3000

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 211k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1200 g (2.65 lb / 42.33 oz)
      GOOD
      80
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 470 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Nikon D2H and Sony Alpha 3000 and give them scores of 57 and 61 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Nikon D2H

      Sony Alpha 3000

      OVERALL
      57
      OVERALL
      61

      Sensor

      Nikon D2H

      Sony Alpha 3000

      AVERAGE
      59
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 4.1 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 40
      GOOD
      71
      •   Sensor Resolution - 20.1 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 78

      Photo

      Nikon D2H

      Sony Alpha 3000

      AVERAGE
      61
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 8.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      AVERAGE
      56
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec

      Video

      Nikon D2H

      Sony Alpha 3000

      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization
      BAD
      16
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit

      Focusing

      Nikon D2H

      Sony Alpha 3000

      GOOD
      75
      •   No Face Detection
      AVERAGE
      68
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Nikon D2H

      Sony Alpha 3000

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 211k dot
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot

      Connectivity

      Nikon D2H

      Sony Alpha 3000

      POOR
      40
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Nikon D2H

      Sony Alpha 3000

      GOOD
      74
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1200 g (2.65 lb / 42.33 oz)
      POOR
      43
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 470 shots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

      Amazon Affiliate Disclosure
      ZKelectronics is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon (.com, .co.uk, .ca, etc) and any other websites that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.