Sony A3000 review: First impressions of the SLR-like, incredibly affordable E-mount mirrorless camera

Since Sony launched its first mirrorless cameras -- the Alpha NEX-3 and NEX-5 -- back in early 2010, its E-mount has gone on to become extremely popular. With the Sony A3000, the consumer electronics giant asks -- and answers -- a question: Does the typical mirrorless form factor cause some photographers to look elsewhere?

After all, mirrorless cameras typically focus on pared-down size, and can be less comfortable in-hand than an SLR due to smaller grips. They also don't look like the cameras pros use. Sony clearly thinks there's some merit to the argument that potential mirrorless customers want SLR-like handling, and it's launched the incredibly affordable A3000 to help coax those photographers to make the leap away from a mirror-based camera.

With the 20-megapixel Sony A3000, the company has offered a camera that looks more like a traditional SLR, yet which offers the Sony E lens mount of a NEX mirrorless camera. And like a NEX camera, the A3000 forgoes both the bulky, expensive mechanical mirror system found in most SLRs, as well as the Translucent Mirror system found in SLT-series models. By ditching these, Sony has been able to pare pricing down to a new, even more affordable low.

 

 

Available from early September 2013, the Sony Alpha A3000 carries a list price of just US$400 -- and that's with an E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS stabilized kit lens included in the bundle. For step-up buyers, the lower pricetag means money back in their pocket, or spent on their first system accessories.

Want to know more about the Alpha A-series camera with the heart of a NEX mirrorless? Read our hands-on first impressions Sony A3000 review, and see what we thought of the camera that looks set to ignite a brand-new entry level price war!

Just want to get your order in before the rest of the world does? Place your pre-order with trusted Imaging Resource affiliates Adorama or B&H now:

Adorama:

• Sony A3000 kit with 18-55mm E-mount lens (US$398)

B&H:

• Sony A3000 kit with 18-55mm E-mount lens (US$398)