Sony A3000 vs Nikon Df

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony A3000 vs Nikon Df

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.

35mm 860.4mm²
16.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon Df Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon Df in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the Df.
Compare Nikon Df image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon Df conclusion.

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Differences

Sony A3000 advantages over Nikon Df

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
More telephoto lens reach
83 mm vs 50 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Lighter weight
616g vs 983g
Lighter weight
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
20.1 vs 16.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Wider angle kit lens
27 mm vs 50 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens

Nikon Df advantages over Sony A3000

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 7.31 vs 4.25 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.55 vs 2.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
Df test data on DxO Mark A3000 test data on DxO Mark

3,279 vs 1,068 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1400 vs 470 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Higher-res screen
307k vs 77k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More viewfinder magnification
0.70x vs 0.47x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Faster JPEG shooting
5.4 fps vs 3.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 11 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 16000 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A3000 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read Df User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A3000

Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All A3000 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Df

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 50mm f/1.8 lens

Review Excerpt

Absolutely incredible value; Includes a stabilized kit lens; More versatile than a fixed-lens bridge camera; Comfortable body with good ergonomics; Great image quality; Good autofocus performance; Decent battery life.
Feels a bit plasticky; Slow burst shooting with limited buffer; Sluggish to power on or switch modes; Low-res EVF and LCD monitor; Can't review images using EVF; No video output; Weak flash; Battery charges in-camera.
Read our Sony A3000 Review

Same sensor and processor as professional D4; Great image quality; Arguably the best available-light shooter in its class; Handsome, retro styling; Weather-sealed design; Big, clear full-frame viewfinder; Excellent battery life
Expensive; Bulky, yet handgrip is quite modest; Some controls are clumsy; Plastic body panels don't gel with retro aesthetic; Autofocus isn't in the same league as image quality; No AF assist lamp; No movie capture; No portrait grip; Single card slot
Read our Nikon Df Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-01

Sony A3000

Pentax K-01

$500
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

$359
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony A3000 vs Pentax K-01

Nikon Df

Pentax K-01

$2747
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$359
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon Df vs Pentax K-01

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A3000

Canon 5D Mark III

$500
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

$2139
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Sony A3000 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon Df

Canon 5D Mark III

$2747
35mm

Bigger pixels
Higher effective ISO

$2139
35mm

Less expensive
External Mic Jack

Compare Nikon Df vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Sony A99

Sony A3000

Sony A99

$500
APS-C

Less expensive
Internal flash

$1998
35mm

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A3000 vs Sony A99

Nikon Df

Sony A99

$2747
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$1998
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Df vs Sony A99

Compared to Sigma sd Quattro

Sony A3000

Sigma sd Quattro

$500
APS-C

Lens selection
In-camera panoramas

$699
APS-C

On-sensor phase detect
HDMI out

Compare Sony A3000 vs Sigma sd Quattro

Nikon Df

Sigma sd Quattro

$2747
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon Df vs Sigma sd Quattro

Compared to Canon EOS M5

Sony A3000

Canon EOS M5

$500
APS-C

Lens selection
In-camera panoramas

$787
APS-C

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony A3000 vs Canon EOS M5

Nikon Df

Canon EOS M5

$2747
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$787
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Nikon Df vs Canon EOS M5

Compare Other Cameras?