Sony Alpha 3000 review

Mix the build of a DSLT and the NEX E-Mount and you get the Alpha 3000

Sony Alpha a3000 review
The Sony Alpha a3000 is a DSLT crossed with a CSC

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We shoot a specially designed chart in carefully controlled conditions and the resulting images are analysed using DXO Analyzer software to generate the data to produce the graphs below.

A high signal to noise ratio (SNR) indicates a cleaner and better quality image.

JPEG signal to noise ratio

Sony Alpha a3000

In terms of JPEG files, the Sony a3000 doesn't fare particularly well when compared with other similar cameras, including its own Sony NEX-3N. It also doesn't perform as well as the Panasonic GF6, throughout the entire sensitivity range.

Raw (converted to TIFF) signal to noise ratio

Sony Alpha a3000

For the raw format files, the A3000 compares more closely with the GF6 and the NX2000, but it is beaten by some margin by its own NEX-3N.

JPEG dynamic range

Sony Alpha a3000

For dynamic range, the a3000 competes very closely with the other cameras on test, beating the others at the lower end of the scale. From the mid-range on, other cameras overtake it slightly, though.

Raw (converted to TIFF) dynamic range

Sony Alpha a3000

The A3000 sits in the middle for raw format dynamic range. It beats the GF6 at every sensitivity, but it is beaten by the NEX-3N and Samsung NX2000 at almost every other sensitivity. It's a pretty consistent performance though.

Amy Davies

Amy has been writing about cameras, photography and associated tech since 2009. Amy was once part of the photography testing team for Future Publishing working across TechRadar, Digital Camera, PhotoPlus, N Photo and Photography Week. For her photography, she has won awards and has been exhibited. She often partakes in unusual projects - including one intense year where she used a different camera every single day. Amy is currently the Features Editor at Amateur Photographer magazine, and in her increasingly little spare time works across a number of high-profile publications including Wired, Stuff, Digital Camera World, Expert Reviews, and just a little off-tangent, PetsRadar.