• APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

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Differences

Sony A3000 advantages over Nikon J5

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.25 vs 2.37 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Better color depth
    23.7 vs 21.1 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,068 vs 479 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 470 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/160 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Nikon J5 advantages over Sony A3000

  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    31 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    345g vs 616g
    Lighter weight
  • Higher-res screen
    346k vs 77k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Less shutter lag
    0.07 vs 0.28 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    59.4 fps vs 3.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    20 vs 11 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A3000

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon J5

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.

  • Photographer-friendly controls; Impressive dynamic range for its class; Very fast hybrid autofocus; Fast high-speed shooting capabilities; Tilting touchscreen display.

  • No hot shoe or viewfinder; Aggressive noise reduction, even at base ISO; 4K video is limited to 15fps.

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
Nikon J5
Pentax K-01
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Sony A3000
Samsung NX Mini
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
Nikon J5
Samsung NX Mini
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon J4

Sony A3000
Nikon J4
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Nikon J5
Nikon J4
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life

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
Nikon J5
Sigma sd Quattro
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Canon EOS M5

Sony A3000
Canon EOS M5
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
Nikon J5
Canon EOS M5
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
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