Nikon D3X vs Sony A3000 Specifications

35mm 861.6mm²
24.5 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3X Review.

APS-C 357.3mm²
20.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A3000 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A3000 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A3000.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A3000 conclusion.

Detailed specifications
Nikon D3X
Sony Alpha ILCE-A3000

Links
Prices:
Manufacturer URL:	Manufacturer website	Manufacturer website
Predecessor:	Nikon D2Xs D2Xs vs D3X
Successor:
General
Model Number:	D3X	A3000
Alternate Model Number(s):		ILCE-3000, ILCE-3500
Camera Format:	Pro SLR	Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured:	No	No
Retail Price:	$7999.95	$399.99
Street Price:	$2,499.99	$499.99
Date Available:	2008-12-15	2013-09-15
Tripod Mount:	Yes	Yes
Weight:	49.1 oz (1,392 g) includes batteries	21.7 oz (616 g) includes batteries, kit lens
Size:	6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in. (160 x 157 x 88 mm)	5.0 x 3.6 x 3.3 in. (128 x 91 x 85 mm)
Waterproof:	No	No
Waterproof Depth:	n/a	n/a

Image Sensor
Sensor Type:	CMOS	CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:	Sony	Sony
Effective Megapixels:	24.5	20.1
Sensor Format:	35mm	APS-C
Sensor size:	861.6mm² (35.90mm x 24.00mm)	357.28mm² (23.20mm x 15.40mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch:	5.94 microns	4.25 microns
Focal Length Multiplier:	1.0x	1.5x
Aspect Ratio:	3:2	3:2
Color Filter Type:	RGBG	RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:	Fixed	Fixed
Self-Cleaning:	No	No
Sensor shift image stabilization:	No	No
On-Sensor Phase Detect:	No	No
DxO Sensor Score:	88	78
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):	24.7	23.7
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):	13.7	12.8
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):	1,992	1,068
Image Capture
Image Resolution:	6048 x 4032 (24.4 MP, 3:2), 4544 x 3024 (13.7 MP, 3:2), 3024 x 2016 (6.1 MP, 3:2), 5056 x 4032 (20.4 MP, 5:4), 3792 x 3024 (11.5 MP, 5:4), 2528 x 2016 (5.1 MP, 5:4), 3968 x 2640 (10.5 MP, 3:2), 2976 x 1976 (5.9 MP, Other), 1984 x 1320 (2.6 MP, 3:2)	5456 x 3632 (19.8 MP, 3:2), 5456 x 3064 (16.7 MP, 16:9), 3872 x 2576 (10.0 MP, 3:2), 3872 x 2176 (8.4 MP, 16:9), 2736 x 1824 (5.0 MP, 3:2), 2736 x 1536 (4.2 MP, 16:9), 12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other), 8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other), 2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other), 2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other)
Image File Format:	JPEG (EXIF 2.21), TIFF; RAW (NEF), 12- or 14-bit	JPEG, RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second:	5.0	3.5
Video Capture
Can take movies:	No	Yes
Movie Resolution:		1920x1080 (60i or 24p (24/17Mbps)) 1440x1080 (30p/12Mbps) 640x480 (30p/3Mbps)
Movie File Format:		AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo
Composite Video Out:	Yes	No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video:	Yes	n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder:	Yes	n/a
HD Video Out:	Yes	No
HD Video Connection:	HDMI

Lens & Optics
Lens Mount:	Nikon F	Sony E
Lens:	n/a	Sony SEL1855 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS; 11 elements in 9 groups with 3 apherical elements
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):		27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual):		18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio:		3.06x
Aperture Range:		f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 32 (T); 7 blade aperture
Integrated ND Filter:	No	No
Normal Focus Range:		25 cm to Infinity 9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:
Filter Thread:	n/a	49.0mm
Thread Type:	n/a	n/a
Optical Image Stabilization:	No	Yes
Digital Zoom:	No	Yes
Digital Zoom Values:	n/a	Up to 4x; up to 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom
Auto Focus
Auto Focus:	Yes	Yes
Auto Focus Type:	51-point TTL phase detection via Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX with 15 cross-type and 36 line-type sensors	Contrast-detect AF: Multi Point (25 points)/ Center-weighted/ Flexible Spot
Auto Focus Assist Light?	No	Yes
Manual Focus:	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder:	Optical / LCD	EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type:	SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, interchangeable screen, 100%, 0.7x, 18mm eyepoint, -3.0 to +1.0	EVF: 0.5cm (0.2 type), 201,600 dot equivalent, 100% coverage, 0.7x magnification, -4 to +3.5 m^-1 diopter, 21mm eyepoint from eyepiece lens, 15mm from eyepiece frame at -1m^-1 diopter (CIPA standard)
Focus Peaking:	No	Yes
EVF Resolution:	n/a	201,600 dots
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):	0.70x	0.47x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):	0.70x	0.70x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder:	Yes	Yes
Rear Display:	Yes	Yes
Rear Display Size (inches):	3.0	3.0
Rear Display Resolution:	922,000 dots	230,400 dots (76,800 px)
Touchscreen:	No	No
Articulating Screen:	No	No
Tilt Swivel Screen:	No	No
Selfie Screen:	No	No
Max Playback Zoom:	27.0x	15.1x
Top Deck Display:	Yes	No

Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):	1600	16000
Minimum ISO (native):	100	100
ISO Settings:	100 - 1600, plus down to 50 in Lo-1, up to 6,400 in Hi-2	Auto (100-3200), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 16000
Auto ISO Mode:	Yes	Yes
White Balance Settings:	Auto, seven manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting, custom	Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500-9900K with 15-step Magenta/Green compensation)
Shutter Speed Range:	1/8000 - 30 sec	1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode:	Yes	Yes
Exposure Compensation:	+/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps	+/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes:	1005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot (1.5%) centered on selected focus area	1200-zone Evaluative Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure:	Yes	Yes
Aperture Priority:	Yes	Yes
Shutter Priority:	Yes	Yes
Full Manual Exposure:	Yes	Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:	None	Scene Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night View, Hand-held Twilight, Anti Motion Blur; Sweep Panorama; Picture Effects: Posterization (Color, B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R,G,B,Y), High Contrast Mono, Toy Camera, Soft High-key, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Mono, Miniature; HDR; DRO
Self Timer:	2/5/10/20 seconds	2 or 10; 3 shots after 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):
High Resolution Composite:	No	No
Flash
Built-in Flash:	No	Yes
Flash Modes:	n/a	Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync. Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100):	n/a	4.0 m / 13.1 ft.
Flash Range Description:	n/a	Lens dependent; GN = 6m (ISO 200) / 4m (ISO100)
Max Flash Sync:	1/250	1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation:		+/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection:	ISO-type hot-shoe contact; safety lock provided; PC Sync terminal	Multi Interface Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:		No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types:	CF1 / CF2 / Microdrive	MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:
Other Memory:
Dual Card Slots:	Yes	No
RAW Capture Support:	Yes	Yes
Uncompressed Format:	TIFF; RAW (NEF), 12- or 14-bit	RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:		AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo
Included Memory:	No memory included	No memory included
Included Memory Type:
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi:	No	No
NFC:		No
Bluetooth:	No	No
Built-In GPS:	No	No
Microphone Jack:	Yes	No
Headphone Jack:	No	No
External Connections:	USB 2.0 High Speed	USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant:	Yes	No
DPOF Compliant:	Yes	Yes
Remote Control:	Yes	Yes
Remote Control Type:	Wired, 10-pin terminal or USB	Optional wired RM-VPR1
Connections (extended):	HDMI Out (Type-A), DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal	Multi Terminal/Micro USB (with remote support)

Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):	<0.3	0.98
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):	<0.3
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):	31
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):		1.84
Camera penalizes early shutter press?	Yes	No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution):	5.0	3.5
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):	31	11
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):		3.5
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):		5
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):	0.16 seconds	0.28 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):
Shutter Lag (manual focus):	0.050 seconds	0.069 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):		0.39 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused):	0.045 seconds	0.022 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):	Live View Mode Full AF, Single-Area, Hand-Held Mode = 0.426s Full AF, Auto-Area, Hand-Held Mode = 0.606s Prefocused, Hand-Held Mode = 0.045s Prefocused, Tripod Mode = 0.418s	Full AF lag, Wide-Area AF mode = 0.289s
Startup Time:	0.3 seconds	2.2 seconds
Play -> Record Time:	0.3 seconds	1.0 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:		2.2 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):		470 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):	4400 shots
Battery Life, Video:
Battery Form Factor:	Proprietary EN-EL4a	Proprietary
Usable Battery Types:	Lithium Ion rechargeable	NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included:	1 x Proprietary EN-EL4a Lithium Ion rechargeable	1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter):	Yes	Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:	Yes	No
Internal Charging Supported:	No	Yes
Software
Included Software:	Software Suite CD-ROM	PlayMemories Home, Image Data Converter 4
OS Compatibility:	Windows, Mac OS	Windows XP/Vista/7/8; Mac OS X 10.5 or later. (PlayMemories Home is Windows only.)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features:	24.5MP version of the D3. 5fps full resolution burst speed, 7fps in DX crop mode at 10.5 megapixels.	Mirrorless ILC that looks like an SLR. Sony E-mount, contrast-detect AF, Full HD movies (60i/24p).