• APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 102,400

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Differences

Sony A3000 advantages over Nikon D6

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $6500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Nikon D6 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
    ~ 6.45 vs 4.25 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    5 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Higher-res screen
    590k vs 77k 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
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    900 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    327680 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
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

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
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon D6
Pentax K-01
  • $6500
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Nikon D5

Sony A3000
Nikon D5
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $4893
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D6
Nikon D5
  • $6500
  • 35mm
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Built-in GPS
  • $4893
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO

Compared to Sigma sd Quattro

Sony A3000
Sigma sd Quattro
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • HDMI out
Nikon D6
Sigma sd Quattro
  • $6500
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Canon EOS M5

Sony A3000
Canon EOS M5
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
Nikon D6
Canon EOS M5
  • $6500
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark III

Sony A3000
Canon 1DX Mark III
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $6499
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D6
Canon 1DX Mark III
  • $6500
  • 35mm
  • Longer exposure
  • $6499
  • 35mm
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • On-sensor phase detect
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