• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 10.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 10.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A200 advantages over Nikon D3000

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 750 vs 550 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    105 mm vs 83 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens

Nikon D3000 advantages over Sony DSLR-A200

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Fast startup
    ~0.70 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    16 vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Neither provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review 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

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Buy the Sony DSLR-A200

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Buy the Nikon D3000

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K200D

Sony DSLR-A200
Pentax K200D
  • $470
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A200 vs Pentax K200D

Nikon D3000
Pentax K200D
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup

Compare Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K200D

Compared to Nikon D60

Sony DSLR-A200
Nikon D60
  • $470
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A200 vs Nikon D60

Nikon D3000
Nikon D60
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More AF points
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Lighter weight

Compare Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D60

Compared to Sony DSLR-A300

Sony DSLR-A200
Sony DSLR-A300
  • $470
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Sony DSLR-A200 vs Sony DSLR-A300

Nikon D3000
Sony DSLR-A300
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon D3000 vs Sony DSLR-A300

Compared to Sony DSLR-A230

Sony DSLR-A200
Sony DSLR-A230
  • $470
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • HDMI out

Compare Sony DSLR-A200 vs Sony DSLR-A230

Nikon D3000
Sony DSLR-A230
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • HDMI out

Compare Nikon D3000 vs Sony DSLR-A230

Compared to Sony DSLR-A330

Sony DSLR-A200
Sony DSLR-A330
  • $470
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $530
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A200 vs Sony DSLR-A330

Nikon D3000
Sony DSLR-A330
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $530
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon D3000 vs Sony DSLR-A330

Compare Other Cameras?