Nikon D3200 vs Sony Alpha 3000

      Nikon D3200

      Sony Alpha 3000
      65
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      61
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      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 D3200 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 D3200 was introduced in July 2012 and Sony Alpha 3000 was introduced in August 2013. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Nikon D3200 Highlights

      • 24.2 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 6,400 Native ISO
      • 11 Focus Points (11 Cross-type)
      • 3.0" 921k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
      • 4.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      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 D3200
      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 D3200 and Sony Alpha 3000.

      PROS

      Nikon D3200

      Sony Alpha 3000

      •   Cheap
      •   Video Capture
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   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 D3200

      Sony Alpha 3000

      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 540 shots
      •   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 D3200

      Sony Alpha 3000

      •   Sensor Resolution - 24.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   -1 EV Min AF Detection
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 81
      •   Weight - 505 g (1.11 lb / 17.81 oz)
      •   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 D3200

      Nikon D3200
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D3200 over Sony Alpha 3000.

      Nikon D3200 vs Sony Alpha 3000
      Higher Sensor Resolution 24.2 Megapixel vs 20.1 Megapixel
      Max Image Resolution 6016 x 4000 vs 5456 x 3632
      More Cross-type Focus Points 1 vs 0
      Phase Detection for Autofocus vs
      Higher Resolution Screen 921k dot vs 230k dot
      Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.53x vs 0.47x
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 4.0 fps vs 2.5 fps
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/200 sec vs 1/160 sec
      Average Metering vs
      AF-Area Metering vs
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 1131 vs 1068
      Higher DxO Color Depth 24.1 vs 23.7
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 13.2 vs 12.8
      Higher DxO Overall Score 81 vs 78
      Microphone Input vs
      Longer Battery Life 540 shots vs 470 shots

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D3200.

      Nikon D3500
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon D3300
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon D3400
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon D3000
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Nikon D3100
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      14 MP

      Canon Rebel T5
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Nikon D300S
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      12.3 MP

      Panasonic FP7
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.33-inch

      16.1 MP

      Nikon D5000
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      12.3 MP

      Canon Rebel
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      6 MP

      Nikon D1H
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      2.7 MP

      Fujifilm X-A5
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Advantage of Sony Alpha 3000

      Sony a3000
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Alpha 3000 over Nikon D3200.

      Nikon D3200 vs Sony Alpha 3000
      Cheaper US: with 18-55mm VR - $699.95; UK: with 18-55mm VR - £649.99; UK: with 18-55mm VR - €699 vs $399 with 18-55mm lens
      Higher Native ISO 6,400 vs 16,000
      More Focus Points 11 vs 25
      Center Autofocus vs
      Higher Viewfinder Coverage 95% vs 100%
      Built-in Microphone Mono vs Stereo
      Lighter 505 g (1.11 lb / 17.81 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
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      Full Frame

      12.1 MP

      Sony a1
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      Full Frame

      50.1 MP

      Canon 5DS
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Sony a3500
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      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
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      APS-C

      20.2 MP

      Sony SLT-A68
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A290
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      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

      Nikon D2H
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      APS-C

      4.1 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.

      STRENGTHS Nikon D3200 Sony Alpha 3000
        CheapUS: with 18-55mm VR - $699.95; UK: with 18-55mm VR - £649.99; UK: with 18-55mm VR - €699$399 with 18-55mm lens
        Video Capture
        Face Detection
        Live View Autofocus
        Built-in Flash
        HDMI Output Mini Type C Type C Mini
      WEAKNESSES Nikon D3200 Sony Alpha 3000
        Timelapse Recording
        Few Cross-type Focus Points10
        No Image Stabilization
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Video Resolution1920 x 10801920 x 1080
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi via optional WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing
        Short Battery Life540 shots470 shots

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Nikon D3200 and Sony Alpha 3000 have 3.0" Fixed screens with 921k dot and 230k dot resolutions respectively.


      Viewfinder

      Nikon D3200 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinderSony Alpha 3000 has a built-in Electronic viewfinder. Nikon D3200 has 95% coverage with 0.80x (0.53x 35mm equivalent) magnification and Sony Alpha 3000 has 100% coverage with 0.70x (0.47x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

      Sensor

      Nikon D3200 features a 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.2 x 15.4 mm and a total area of 357.3 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400 and expands to 100 - 12,800 in boosted mode. 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 D3200 is equipped with EXPEED 3 processor and can take pictures up to 6016 x 4000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4512 x 3000, 3008 x 2000 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 D3200 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 D3200 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 D3200 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. Nikon D3200 has a Mini Type C HDMI and Sony Alpha 3000 has a Type C Mini HDMI connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Nikon D3200 comes with EN-EL14 battery pack with battery life of 540 shots and Sony Alpha 3000 comes with NP-FW50 battery pack with battery life of 470 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Nikon D3200 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slot. Sony Alpha 3000 has a single card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Nikon D3200 has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon D3200, and up to 1/4000 sec on Sony Alpha 3000. Nikon D3200 can shoot continuously up to 4.0 fps. Sony Alpha 3000 can shoot continuously up to 2.5 fps.


      Focusing

      Nikon D3200 has 11 (1 cross-type) focusing points and Sony Alpha 3000 has Contrast-detection AF system with 25 focusing points. Nikon D3200 has detection range from -1 to +19 EV.


      Exposure

      Exposure meterings of Nikon D3200 ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Nikon D3200 and ±3 EV range on Sony Alpha 3000. You can also do exposure lock and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D3200 and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Sony Alpha 3000.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m at ISO 100 on Nikon D3200 and 4m at ISO100 on Sony Alpha 3000. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on Nikon D3200 and 1/160 sec on Sony Alpha 3000.

      Physical Parameters

      Nikon D3200 body has dimensions of 125 x 96 x 77 mm (4.92 x 3.78 x 3.03") and Sony Alpha 3000 body has dimensions of 128 x 91 x 85 mm (5.04 x 3.58 x 3.35"). Nikon D3200 weighs 505 g (1.11 lb / 17.81 oz) and Sony Alpha 3000 weighs 411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz).

      Nikon D3200

      Sony Alpha 3000

      125 mm

      96 mm

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      128 mm

      91 mm

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      96 mm

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      91 mm

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      77 mm

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      85 mm

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      Size comparisons of Nikon D3200 and Sony Alpha 3000

      Nikon D3200 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 D3200

      Sony Alpha 3000

      GOOD
      72
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      70
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Nikon D3200

      Sony Alpha 3000

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 540 shots
      •   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 D3200

      Sony Alpha 3000

      AVERAGE
      60
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 540 shots
      •   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 D3200

      Sony Alpha 3000

      GOOD
      79
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 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 D3200

      Sony Alpha 3000

      GOOD
      79
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 505 g (1.11 lb / 17.81 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 D3200

      Sony Alpha 3000

      GOOD
      79
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 505 g (1.11 lb / 17.81 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 540 shots
      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 D3200 and Sony Alpha 3000 and give them scores of 65 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 D3200

      Sony Alpha 3000

      OVERALL
      65
      OVERALL
      61

      Sensor

      Nikon D3200

      Sony Alpha 3000

      GOOD
      70
      •   Sensor Resolution - 24.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 81
      GOOD
      71
      •   Sensor Resolution - 20.1 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 78

      Photo

      Nikon D3200

      Sony Alpha 3000

      AVERAGE
      66
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 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 D3200

      Sony Alpha 3000

      BAD
      14
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      BAD
      16
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit

      Focusing

      Nikon D3200

      Sony Alpha 3000

      GOOD
      82
      •   -1 EV Min AF Detection
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   1 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      68
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Nikon D3200

      Sony Alpha 3000

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot

      Connectivity

      Nikon D3200

      Sony Alpha 3000

      GOOD
      75
      •   HDMI Output
      •   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 D3200

      Sony Alpha 3000

      POOR
      43
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 505 g (1.11 lb / 17.81 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 540 shots
      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:

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