• APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 1/3 inch 17.3mm2
  • 13.2 megapixels
  • 30.00mm - 90.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony A3000 advantages over Nikon S32

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/3 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 1.15 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 470 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 13.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    16000 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon S32 advantages over Sony A3000

  • Less expensive
    $130 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Thinner
    40 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.7 fps vs 3.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A3000

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.

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 S32
Pentax K-01
  • $299
  • 1/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon S33

Sony A3000
Nikon S33
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $129
  • 1/3.1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Thinner
Nikon S32
Nikon S33
  • $299
  • 1/3 inch
  • $129
  • 1/3.1 inch

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 S32
Sigma sd Quattro
  • $299
  • 1/3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Internal flash
  • $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 S32
Canon EOS M5
  • $299
  • 1/3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Thinner
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon W100

Sony A3000
Nikon W100
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $157
  • 1/3.1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Nikon S32
Nikon W100
  • $299
  • 1/3 inch
  • $157
  • 1/3.1 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Compare Other Cameras?