Sony Alpha 3000 vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

      Sony Alpha 3000

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
      61
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      60
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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 Sony Alpha 3000 and the Sony Alpha DSLR-A290, 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.

      Sony Alpha 3000 was introduced in August 2013 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 was introduced in June 2010. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      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

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 Highlights

      • 14.2 MP APS-C CCD Sensor
      • 100 - 3,200 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points
      • Image Stabilization
      • 2.7" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
      • 2.5 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Sony Alpha 3000
      4. Advantage of Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
      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 Sony Alpha 3000 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A290.

      PROS

      Sony Alpha 3000

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

      •   Cheap
      •   Video Capture
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz)
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Sony Alpha 3000

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

      •   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
      •   No Video Capture
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14.2 Megapixel
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   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 - 290 shots


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

      AVERAGE

      Sony Alpha 3000

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

      •   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
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 2.7"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 66
      •   Weight - 549 g (1.21 lb / 19.37 oz)

      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 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290.

      Sony Alpha 3000 vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
      Video Capture vs
      Higher Sensor Resolution 20.1 Megapixel vs 14.2 Megapixel
      Higher Native ISO 16,000 vs 3,200
      Max Image Resolution 5456 x 3632 vs 4592 x 3056
      More Focus Points 25 vs 9
      Center Autofocus vs
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Larger Screen 3.0" vs 2.7"
      Live View vs
      Higher Viewfinder Coverage 100% vs 95%
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 1068 vs 615
      Higher DxO Color Depth 23.7 vs 22.6
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 12.8 vs 11.5
      Higher DxO Overall Score 78 vs 66
      Built-in Microphone Stereo vs
      Lighter 411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz) vs 549 g (1.21 lb / 19.37 oz)
      Longer Battery Life 470 shots vs 290 shots

      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
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Sony a3500
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      20 MP

      Nikon D3200
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 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
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Sigma SD15
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      APS-C

      5 MP

      Canon Rebel T5
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      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Nikon D2H
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      APS-C

      4.1 MP

      Advantage of Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

      Sony DSLR-A290
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 over Sony Alpha 3000.

      Sony Alpha 3000 vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
      Phase Detection for Autofocus vs
      Image Stabilization vs Sensor Shift
      Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.47x vs 0.55x

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sony Alpha DSLR-A290.

      Sony DSLR-A300
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A390
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      APS-C

      14.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A850
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      Full Frame

      24.6 MP

      Sony DSLR-A330
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A350
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      APS-C

      14.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A100
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A200
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A580
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      APS-C

      16.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A230
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A900
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      Full Frame

      24.6 MP

      Sony DSLR-A550
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      APS-C

      14.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A560
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      APS-C

      14.2 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 Sony Alpha 3000 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
        Face Detection
        Live View Autofocus
        Built-in Flash
        HDMI Output Type C Mini
      WEAKNESSES Sony Alpha 3000 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
        Timelapse Recording
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Resolution Screen230k dot230k dot
        Low Max Continuous Shooting2.5 fps2.5 fps
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing
        Short Battery Life470 shots290 shots

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Sony Alpha 3000 has a 3.0" screen with 230k dot resolution and Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 has a 2.7" screen with 230k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.


      Viewfinder

      Sony Alpha 3000 has a built-in Electronic viewfinderSony Alpha DSLR-A290 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder. Sony Alpha 3000 has 100% coverage with 0.70x (0.47x 35mm equivalent) magnification and Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 has 95% coverage with 0.83x (0.55x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

      Sensor

      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 366.6 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 16,000. Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 features a 14.2 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.6 x 15.8 mm and a total area of 249.6 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200.


      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

      Cameras are equipped with BIONZ processor.


      Lens Mount

      Sony Alpha 3000 has Sony E lens mount and Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 has Sony A 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.


      In-Body Image Stabilization on Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 has a built-in Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when camera is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Sony Alpha 3000 has a Type C Mini HDMI and Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 has an HDMI connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Sony Alpha 3000 comes with NP-FW50 battery pack with battery life of 470 shots and Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 comes with NP-FH50 battery pack with battery life of 290 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Sony Alpha 3000 has a single card slot. Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 has a single SD/SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Sony Alpha 3000, and up to 1/4000 sec on Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. Cameras can shoot continuously up to 2.5 fps.


      Focusing

      Sony Alpha 3000 has Contrast-detection AF system with 25 focusing points and Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 has 9 focusing points..


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 4m at ISO100 on Sony Alpha 3000 and 10.00 m at ISO 100 on Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec on both cameras.

      Physical Parameters

      Sony Alpha 3000 body has dimensions of 128 x 91 x 85 mm (5.04 x 3.58 x 3.35") and Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 body has dimensions of 128 x 97 x 86 mm (5.04 x 3.82 x 3.39"). Sony Alpha 3000 weighs 411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz) and Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 weighs 549 g (1.21 lb / 19.37 oz).

      Sony Alpha 3000

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

      128 mm

      91 mm

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      128 mm

      97 mm

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      91 mm

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      97 mm

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      85 mm

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      86 mm

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      Size comparisons of Sony Alpha 3000 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

      Sony Alpha 3000 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 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

      Sony Alpha 3000

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

      GOOD
      70
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Sony Alpha 3000

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

      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
      AVERAGE
      67
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 290 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Sony Alpha 3000

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

      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
      AVERAGE
      59
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 290 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Sony Alpha 3000

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

      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
      GOOD
      80
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.7"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Sony Alpha 3000

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

      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)
      GOOD
      80
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 549 g (1.21 lb / 19.37 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Sony Alpha 3000

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

      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
      GOOD
      81
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 549 g (1.21 lb / 19.37 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 290 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Sony Alpha 3000 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 and give them scores of 61 and 60 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.


      Sony Alpha 3000

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

      OVERALL
      61
      OVERALL
      60

      Sensor

      Sony Alpha 3000

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

      GOOD
      71
      •   Sensor Resolution - 20.1 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 78
      GOOD
      71
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 66

      Photo

      Sony Alpha 3000

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

      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
      GOOD
      70
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   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

      Sony Alpha 3000

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

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

      Focusing

      Sony Alpha 3000

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      GOOD
      75
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Sony Alpha 3000

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.7"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot

      Connectivity

      Sony Alpha 3000

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      AVERAGE
      57
      •   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

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Sony Alpha 3000

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

      POOR
      43
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 470 shots
      BAD
      39
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 549 g (1.21 lb / 19.37 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 290 shots


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

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