Sony A57 vs Samsung NX3000

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony A57 vs Samsung NX3000

APS-C 369.7mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A57 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A57.

APS-C 369.0mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Samsung NX3000 Review.
How does it shoot? Samsung NX3000 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the NX3000.

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Differences

Sony A57 advantages over Samsung NX3000

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
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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

550 vs 370 shots
Capture more photos
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
Higher-res screen
307k vs 154k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
25 vs 12 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Samsung NX3000 advantages over Sony A57

Less expensive
$529 vs $800 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Thinner
39 mm vs 80 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
385g vs 828g
Lighter weight
More pixels
20.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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
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

Buy From

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Buy the Sony A57

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX3000

Kit with 20-50mm Lens

Kit with 20-50mm Lens
Kit with 16-50mm Lens

Review Excerpt

We haven’t finished our review of the Sony A57, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Sony A57 First Shots

We haven’t finished our review of the Samsung NX3000, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Samsung NX3000 Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D5100

Sony A57

Nikon D5100

$800
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$650
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A57 vs Nikon D5100

Samsung NX3000

Nikon D5100

$950
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$650
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Nikon D5100

Compared to Sony A37

Sony A57

Sony A37

$800
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Higher-res screen

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
External Mic Jack

Compare Sony A57 vs Sony A37

Samsung NX3000

Sony A37

$950
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
NFC

$600
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Sony A37

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A57

Pentax K-5 IIs

$800
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony A57 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Samsung NX3000

Pentax K-5 IIs

$950
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sony A57

Samsung NX1100

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$450
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony A57 vs Samsung NX1100

Samsung NX3000

Samsung NX1100

$950
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

$450
APS-C

Shoots 24p video
Higher-res screen

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Samsung NX1100

Compared to Fujifilm X-M1

Sony A57

Fujifilm X-M1

$800
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$993
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
Thinner

Compare Sony A57 vs Fujifilm X-M1

Samsung NX3000

Fujifilm X-M1

$950
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$993
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Fujifilm X-M1

Compare Other Cameras?