• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Sony A850 advantages over Samsung NX3000

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.94 vs 4.29 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 880 vs 370 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.18 vs 0.30 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.6 vs 20.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    23 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Samsung NX3000 advantages over Sony A850

  • Less expensive
    $529 vs $2000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 81 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    10 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.2 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX3000

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony A900

Sony A850
Sony A900
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Samsung NX3000
Sony A900
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A850
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
Samsung NX3000
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony A99

Sony A850
Sony A99
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Samsung NX3000
Sony A99
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Fujifilm X-M1

Sony A850
Fujifilm X-M1
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $993
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Samsung NX3000
Fujifilm X-M1
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $993
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Canon EOS M3

Sony A850
Canon EOS M3
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $1049
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Samsung NX3000
Canon EOS M3
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1049
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Compare Other Cameras?