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Now reading: Sony introduces SLR-esque A3000, a mirrorless camera for $400 193 comments

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Sony introduces SLR-esque A3000, a mirrorless camera for $400

Published Aug 27, 2013 | dpreview staff

Sony's latest interchangeable lens camera may look like an SLR, but underneath the hood it's all NEX. The Sony A3000 offers a 20.1 megapixel APS-C sensor, a built-in electronic viewfinder, full HD video and a Sony E-mount for interchangeable lenses all for an MSRP of $399. The competitively priced A3000 offers all the trimmings of an entry-level DSLR including a fixed 3.0-inch LCD, built-in flash and hotshoe. It should be available in early September.

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Press Release
Specifications
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Press Release:

Sony Introduces New A3000 DSLR-Style Interchangeable Lens Camera

Sony A3000

New Entry-Level ILC Features Large 20.1 MP APS-C Sensor, Electronic Viewfinder and Comfortable Shooting Design

SAN DIEGO, August 27, 2013 –Designed to bring the benefits of large-sensor imaging to a variety of new customers, Sony’s α3000 interchangeable lens camera combines DSLR capabilities with a comfortable, easy-to-use package.

The new camera features a large, high-resolution 20.1 MP Exmor™ APS-C HD CMOS sensor, a bright electronic viewfinder and the same lens mount as Sony’s popular line of E-mount cameras, making it compatible with the system’s ever-growing assortment of high-quality lenses ranging from telephotos, wide angles and macros to versatile zoom and portrait lenses.

"The new a3000 represents the ultimate combination of performance and value in an interchangeable lens camera," said Mike Kahn, director of the interchangeable lens camera business group at Sony. "With a familiar, comfortable shooting design, impressive imaging capabilities and an outstanding price, it’s the ideal choice for customers looking to experience the vast benefits of large sensor, interchangeable lens imaging for the very first time."

The powerful 20.1 MP APS-C sized image sensor in the α3000 is the same size sensor found in most traditional DSLRs, and is the key to capturing crisp, highly-detailed still images and Full HD videos (1080/60i or 1080/24p). The large sensor also boosts sensitivity, grabbing more light and cutting image noise to produce better quality content in low-light conditions, where a smartphone or point-and-shoot camera typically struggles.

The new camera features a clear, bright electronic Tru-Finder viewfinder with generous 100% field coverage allowing for an effortless framing experience. The viewfinder can also display a variety of key shooting information and shows a live preview of the composed image to illustrate the effect of any setting adjustments. This same “Live View” shooting experience is also available through the bright rear LCD screen for those that prefer to frame and compose at arm’s length.

The new α3000 model features a classic DSLR-style design with a standard P/A/S/M mode dial and several customizable control buttons for making common adjustments to settings. The grip is stable yet lightweight, giving shooters a strong, comfortable grasp of the camera.

Creatively, the new α3000 camera offers a total of 15 different Picture Effect settings including Retro Photo, Miniature Camera, Partial Color and much more. The camera also has Auto Object Framing, which neatly trims portraits, close-ups and even moving subjects for tighter, more professional results. When this feature is engaged, the camera saves both the original and cropped images for review, making it yet another practical learning and teaching tool for beginning photographers.

With the α3000’s Multi Interface Shoe terminal, users can broaden their shooting experience by adding external accessories like flash, video lights, or microphones. Compatible accessories include the HVL-F43M flash with Sony’s unique Quick Shift bounce system for eliminating shadows as well an LED light for video, the HVL-LEIR1 Video IR light for brightening up dimly lit parties and indoor scenes, the ECM-XYST1M Stereo Microphone for capturing clearer dialogue and sound and much more.

Pricing and Availability

The new α3000 interchangeable lens camera will be available in early September for about $400, paired with a black 18-55mm zoom kit lens (model SEL1855).

The new camera is compatible with Sony’s ever-growing assortment of E-mount interchangeable lenses. In total, 16 different lenses are now available including several premium models from Zeiss ™ and G™ Lenses.

The new camera and all compatible accessories will be available for purchase at Sony retail stores (www.store.sony.com) and other authorized dealers nationwide.

Please visit www.blog.sony.com for a full video preview of the new α3000 compact system camera and follow #SonyAlpha on twitter for the latest α camera news.

Sony A3000 specifications

Price
MSRP	$399 with 18-55mm lens
Body type
Body type	SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor
Max resolution	5456 x 3632
Other resolutions	3872 x 2576, 2736 x 1824
Image ratio w:h	3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels	20 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors	20 megapixels
Sensor size	APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor type	CMOS
Processor	BIONZ image processor
Color space	sRGB, AdobeRGB
Image
ISO	ISO 100-16000 selectable in 1 EV steps
White balance presets	9
Custom white balance	Yes
Image stabilization	Optical
Image stabilization notes	Lens-based (where applicable)
Uncompressed format	RAW
JPEG quality levels	Standard, Fine
File format	JPEG (Standard, Fine), RAW+JPEG
Optics & Focus
Autofocus	Contrast Detect (sensor) Multi-area Center Selective single-point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection Live View
Autofocus assist lamp	Yes (with built-in LED type)
Manual focus	Yes (Focus Peaking Level setting: High/Mid/Low/Off, Color: White/Red/Yellow)
Number of focus points	25
Lens mount	Sony E
Focal length multiplier	1.5×
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD	Fixed
Screen size	3″
Screen dots	230,400
Touch screen	No
Screen type	TFT LCD
Live view	Yes (Continuous Live View)
Viewfinder type	Electronic
Viewfinder coverage	100%
Viewfinder magnification	0.7× (0.47× 35mm equiv.)
Photography features
Exposure modes	iAUTO Superior Auto Programmed AE (P) Aperture priority (A) Shutter-speed priority (S) Manual (M) Sweep Panorama Scene Selection
Scene modes	Portrait Landscape Macro Sports Action Sunset Night Portrait Night View Hand-held Twilight Anti Motion Blur
Built-in flash	Yes (Built-in, Pop-up Auto)
Flash range	6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
External flash	Yes (hot shoe)
Flash modes	Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
Drive modes	Single-shot, Continuous, Speed Priority Continuous, Self-timer (10/2 sec. delay), Self-timer (Cont.) (with 10 sec. delay; 3/5 exposures), Bracketing
Continuous drive	2.5 fps
Self-timer	Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay)
Metering modes	Multi Center-weighted Spot
Exposure compensation	±3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
AE Bracketing	(3 frames at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Format	AVCHD, H.264
Microphone	Stereo
Speaker	Mono
Connectivity
USB	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI	Yes (Type C mini))
Remote control	Yes (via optional RM-VPR1)
Physical
Environmentally sealed	No
Battery	Battery Pack
Battery description	NP-FW50
Battery Life (CIPA)	470
Weight (inc. batteries)	411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz)
Dimensions	128 x 91 x 85 mm (5.04 x 3.58 x 3.35″)
Other features
GPS	None

Additional images

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Oldest first

sunnylee

I just get Sony alpha a3000 with lens kit + 55/210 lens $549.00. It is a good deal to get better pictures than Sony nex f3 I have. sony a3000 eats more memory if you set raw+Jpeg in one shoot and you will have one raw picture and one Jpeg picture...hate that but it will OK...!! Love the a3000 with the price if compare to sony nex6 or nex7. the a3000 get 20MP with electronic Viewfinder and Lcd are good enough to see the world and extra hotshoe but still looking for what's speedlite flash support crazy build in a3000. had try the speedlite YN 560ii to shoot but I need to set the "Live View Display off" to see what is the world look like at low light...!!!
Have a good shoot everyone if you shoot Sony Alpha a3000.

Jan 21, 2014permalink

justmeMN

Among other things, on the Sony USA web site, this camera is listed on the "Sony Alpha DSLR Cameras" web page, in spite of the fact that is not a DSLR.

It appears that Sony's sales strategy is to trick uninformed buyers into believing that a mirrorless camera is in fact a DSLR.

Sep 2, 2013permalink

Is it really such a big deal? We're living in a transitional time, and this is a transitional camera. I just noticed that Amazon has the mirrorless Panasonic GH3 in their "Best Sellers in Digital SLR Cameras" list. Does it really matter? It certainly won't matter in a few years from now, as more "DSLRs" end up ditching the mirror, even though they may keep the DSLR shape. And in a few years when we look back at how some people were whining and gnashing their teeth and crying foul that this camera or that camera got lumped into the "DSLR" section on some web page, we'll probably think it's such a petty, silly concern.

Sep 2, 2013permalink

James Tom

Good answer, I am a DSLR user on a daily basis and many times i wish i had a lighter compact system. Who cares about the size and cost.......I used to be a Canon user until i had major shutter failures so much so I changed brands, but that has always been in the back of my mind.....remove the moving parts and make the system more robust and less prone to failures. It will catch on. I still have my Canon film Pellical SLT camera.....

Oct 5, 2013permalink

Mr Graphic

I've been looking for a camera from Sony like this for a long time! But will wait for the next "A4000" model or better. As a long time user of Sony's super zoom models, I currently have the HX200 and LOVE it! But this A3000 is just short on features I need like a good, larger EVF with an auto switch, as I always shoot better with a viewfinder in daylight, high res TILT LCD, etc. In short, I at least need the same features that I already have on my HX200! So thanks Sony, but you can do better!

Sep 2, 2013permalink

User0218079348

Did you end up buying the a7s?

May 29, 2015permalink

rocklobster

Sony are always ahead of the game.

Aug 31, 2013*permalink

Andy Crowe

Not really, Panasonic were the first to do DSLR style mirrorless bodies with the G1 by in 2008 (and to be honest pretty much created this class of camera)

Sep 3, 2013permalink

User0218079348

and?

May 29, 2015permalink

Francis Carver

Unfortunately, the 230K rez LCD screen means this one is for the kids only. Regarding the USB 2.0 connectivity.... I wonder if any of the Japanese camera makers today have ever heard of the "new" USB 3.0 standard that came out what, three years ago already?

Aug 30, 2013permalink

First of all, Leica bodies have used 230K LCD screen. And those weren't considered "for the kids only". The Leica M-E, a stripped down version of the Leica M9, released in September 2012, has a 230K screen. But unlike the A3000, the M-E was priced at $5,450. Also, the Leica X1 and X2 premium compacts also had 230K screens.

I really don't think the screen is going to be a deal-killer for many people at the A3000's low price point.

As for USB 2.0, who the heck connects a USB to their camera anyway? The only time I ever use the USB connection is when I'm shooting tethered. USB 2.0 vs 3.0 won't be a deal killer either.

Aug 31, 2013permalink

zevobh

you can tell it's an awesome camera when that is the best the trolls cane come up with.

Sep 3, 2013permalink

User0218079348

Guess I am a kid. This camera rocks.

May 29, 2015permalink

lem12

Next is affordable Full Frame.

Aug 29, 2013permalink

zevobh

indeed! how about a bull frame for $500? (I guess that would be sans lens)

Sep 3, 2013permalink

lem12

Bravo Sony!

Aug 29, 2013permalink

Digitall

Product vs Price = Sony 1 - Competition 0

Aug 28, 2013permalink

kadardr

Why not 1.44M pixel EVF? Cannot be that expensive. 230k is pathetic.

Aug 28, 2013permalink

Francis Carver

At least it has got one. Not sure where you read abut the EVF, what I read was that the 3-inch LCD screen is a 230K pixel variant. I saw nothing on the EVF's resolution.

Aug 30, 2013permalink

justmeMN

Sony is trying to trick buyers into thinking that a mirrorless camera is in fact a DSLR. That's a sleazy sales strategy.

Aug 28, 2013*permalink

Gesture

Many a bridge camera with quite small sensor does the same thing. The real deal is how low in cost can an APS-C sensor camera be. EOS-M on sale, Samsung NX1000, there ain't many. Used and refurb entry-level Nikon and Canon.

Aug 28, 2013permalink

Trick? LOL. Yeah, right. That's as ridiculous as saying that the Fuji is trying to "trick" buyers into thinking their X-series MILC cameras are actual rangefinders. No, the reality is that Sony is very upfront about this camera being a mirrorless camera. But since a big segment of the market likes the DSLR shape and form factor, they've simply given consumers a MILC in that shape and form factor.

BTW, is Olympus being "sleazy" for making the OM-D E-M5 look like a retro film SLR?

You're just grasping at straws.

Aug 29, 2013*permalink

justmeMN

Among other things, on the Sony USA web site, this is listed on the "Sony Alpha DSLR Cameras" page, in spite of the fact it's not a DSLR.

Aug 29, 2013permalink

bb42

Sonys Alpha 58 has several advantages, the most important being a huge offering of third-party lenses, some of them excellent.
The E-lens series made sense for small system cams, but I don't get the point for this model.

Aug 28, 2013permalink

Marvol

In the end Sony has in a way simply out-cynicalled (out-cynicised?) Canon and Nikon.

The Big Two never have been adverse to cutting corners and costs to simply dump the cheapest cameras in every shop, knowing that plenty of consumers simply buy the cheapest thing that looks like a DSLR. Having no autofocus motor, no IBIS and crappy VFs never hurt the sales of their entry-level DSLRs.

Sony has tried without great success to make cameras that were better value for money - but also more expensive, and therefore didn't sell quite as well.

Sony is now saying "Cheap? OK. Compete against THIS while still putting a mirrorbox, pentaprism and PDAF sensors in your cameras".

I personally don't like this camera much - but then I'm not the target for it. This might well sell heaps and (finally) seriously dent Canikon.

Aug 28, 2013permalink

b craw

It is nice to see this at $400, but in my opinion the poor fixed LCD and (to my eye) too sparse button/dial set-up on the back might be problematic. The Samsung NX20 is APS-C 20MP as well and is WiFi enabled, has an articulating LCD, good controls for $550.

Aug 28, 2013permalink

b craw

I think primarily because of the price, the APS-C 20MP sensor, and the Sony name, the competition most immediately impacted in terms of sales might be the Panasonic Lumix G6 (m4/3); and that would be unfortunate because I think you can make the argument that that is a better camera overall at a reasonable price.

Aug 28, 2013permalink

(unknown member)

You are missing the point that Sony are opening at this low price. As I said below the Samsung NX20 is a $1,000 camera and this $550 is just an end of line dumping price.
This camera is going to put the cat amongst the pigeons in mirrorless pricing.

Aug 28, 2013permalink

b craw

Point granted. But, in proposing that Sony has discovered a revolutionary new way to cut costs of producing a mirrorless camera, you might want to consider: 1) how barebones this camera is. Build, controls, evf, lcd - all are reported as pretty bad. It does remind me of the Lumix G10 in terms of philosophy. 2) the pricing could conceivably be a market manipulation maneuver, one expected to bring a loss on this model but gain share elsewhere. Sony has deep enough pockets to do such a thing, although it does sound a bit conspiratorial (paranoid) to say this.

Nonetheless, I think you might be a bit Pollyanna as it concerns this camera.

Aug 28, 2013permalink

dara2

Not paranoid at all, from CNET feb 2010: Sony loses about $18 per PS3 unit they sell.

Aug 28, 2013permalink

Zvonimir Tosic

Thus shows Sony's responsibility for the environment; why dump worthless plastic into their own bin and pay for the processing into something more valuable, when there are thousands of households willing to buy it and fill up their bins at a fraction of Sony's cost.

Aug 28, 2013*permalink

Gary Martin

$400 for an ILC, including a lens. Good move Sony. Value will reign supreme in this economy.

Aug 28, 2013permalink

Francis Carver

Well, a cheap camera is, at the end.... a cheap camera.

Aug 30, 2013permalink

(unknown member)

Sony must have made a major breakthrough here and found a way around the normally massive cost incurred in not putting a mirror in a camera.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

RedFox88

Too tiny, in my opinion. A camera can be small but it must be usable and a main reason why people gravitate to SLRs are their better ergonomics but this is taken small too far. There were pictures of a man using the camera and well it looked as if he was holding a toy camera. Functional design is needed when size is considered. That's what I think.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

So you've used the camera, have you? And you also speak for all consumers, do you?

Aug 28, 2013permalink

JimWongyyz

Wish Sony can do the same to their XPERIA mobile phones. Bring down price on Xperia line of phones, that will put pressure on Samsung and iPhones.

Not fair that we Xperia and Playstation users are subsidizing photographers.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

munishkm

Dimensions
102 x 58 x 38 mm (4 x 2.29 x 1.51″) ????

Weight (inc. batteries)
281 g (0.62 lb / 9.91 oz) ????

think u need to change it..

or is it me??? :)

Aug 27, 2013*permalink

AbrasiveReducer

Great news for consumers. Canon, Nikon & Fuji may not go this low but everyone else will have to. There should be some amazing deals for the holiday season.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

samhain

Who else is making aps-c cameras? I can't think of any...

Aug 27, 2013permalink

samhain

Besides pentax

Aug 27, 2013permalink

b craw

Fujifilm X-Pro1, X-E1, and X-M1 are APS-C. The X-Pro1 and the X-E1 are solidly-built rangefinder style - quite pretty. They both also have a shutter speed dial, a unique feature among the MILC's. But they are pricey.

Aug 28, 2013permalink

b craw

Also the Samsung NX20, NX300, and NX1000 all have 20MP APS-C with WiFi. The NX1000 is under $400, but a more comparable model to the Sony is the NX20 at about $550.

Aug 28, 2013permalink

(unknown member)

@b craw. The Samsung NX20 is not comparable as its recommended retail price is $1099 according to Samsung's site.

Aug 28, 2013permalink

crsantin

Very clever Sony, very very clever. 20 megapixel APS-C with a lens for...$400???That's the initial price too, not the deeply discounted price that comes along at the end of the product's life. The DSLR goes mirrorless. Goodbye micro four thirds, it was nice knowing you.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

mpgxsvcd

M4/3s will still continue to exist. They are too many people with too much invested in lenses now to switch. I honestly think that this announcement hurts Canon and Nikon the most. Their entry level options are no where near this price range. Sony undercut them so much that they are going to have to go back to the drawing board.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

Braxton7

Suck em in with a decent camera at an affordable price . Sell them on lens and body upgrades. Brilliant really. Even as cheaply made as the preview seems to make it out to be. It's tempting.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

bencotto

yup, thought the same. i still think (and hope) mpgxsvcd is right...

Aug 27, 2013permalink

rocklobster

Hi crsantin
Of course you are right if a buyer only ever uses the kit lens but anyone who wishes to expand their system will welcome the much smaller size of M4/3 lenses.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

0MitchAG

I managed to purchase a G5/14-42 for $360, IQ certainly won't be on par with this but in terms of actual features and processing, my G5 blows this out of the water.
Who wants to look at a 200k dot screen and viewfinder? It's just too bad that those simply aren't good enough to render the high detail in the photos.... seems quite redundant. 2.5fps drive? Why bother putting in there? I suppose that sensor is simply killer, otherwise really, there are better choices. I'm not looking to blow up my photos for billboards, so I guess I'm not the target audience anyway.

TL;DR: u4/3's is quite safe, it's a whole different game to be honest, and for the enthusiast, there is far better value there.

Aug 28, 2013permalink

Bart Hickman

m4/3 is safe as long as Panasonic and Olympus can make money doing it. So far they aren't making money and neither is Sony. But Sony is doing something to try to change that.

Aug 28, 2013permalink

Gesture

Not too cheaply made to be GearShop recommended pre-release.

Aug 28, 2013permalink

Ferling

My Dad, a retired auto mechanic, once said that you're only as good as your tools. Skills matter, of course. However, there was a time that only those whom could afford the abundantly expensive gear, got the job.

Bravo for Sony for taking the first step by not forcing consumers to pay steep prices for features that should now be a standard, which are no longer worth the premium.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

ThePhilips

Bravo on the price!

Down with the exaggerated MSRPs!!

Aug 27, 2013permalink

captura

- attention DPR! You have erronously posted the WRONG weight and dimensions for this ILC e3000 camera. This is GLARINGLY OBVIOUS.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

tornwald

nice. Now build one with a 6x7 centimeter sensor with 200 megapixels.
For say, 2000 bucks.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

GodSpeaks

Seems like Sony is going after Panasonic.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

Tee1up

$400...with a lens. Amazing. I can't wait for the deep review.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

ThePhilips

"$400... with a lens"

This is about how much right now *with a lens* cost: Panny G5, Nikon D3200 and Canon 1100D.

I think we all should praise Sony for setting the realistic price. Because pricing decisions of the competition (Olympus, Fuji) recently were really questionable.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

tkbslc

None of those cameras LAUNCHED at $400 with a lens. It is typical to build in price cushion. I think Sony expects this to be a $300 camera before long.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

ThePhilips

@tkbslc, yes, I forgot to mention that I'm comparing the street price with the launch price. Still A3000 would have to compete with the cameras. My comment was about how brave Sony is to target the entry-level market so aggressively. Frankly, when last time anyone has seen DSLRs (and EVILs) being so affordable? The *new* ones so affordable? Great times to shop for a camera, definitely.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

peevee1

""$400... with a lens"

This is about how much right now *with a lens* cost: Panny G5, Nikon D3200 and Canon 1100D."

Wrong. Nikon D3200 with 18-55 costs $545 new. Canon SL1 with 18-55 costs $650 new (for true idiots I guess).
1100d (T3) is an ancient junk - do they still make them new? Can get it for $433 though.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

peevee1

I wonder if a firmware hack can enable much faster sequential shooting. I am sure the hardware is there.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

mpgxsvcd

Does this camera have true interlaced 1080i video or is it 1080i/30p PSF?

Aug 27, 2013permalink

mpgxsvcd

Sony just flopped a Royal Flush when everyone else thinks they have the nuts.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

mpgxsvcd

Sony just Grenaded the entire camera business.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

ThePhilips

The most ambitious take on CaNikon to date!

Aug 27, 2013permalink

mpgxsvcd

If everyone thought margins were thin before. Wait a couple of months when everyone else has to drastically cut their prices to keep up with Sony.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

peevee1

On m43s margins are huge. Especially on non-kit lenses. They could have cornered the market if they were not that greedy from get go.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

Bart Hickman

How do you know this? Making things small is difficult and expensive--this is a disadvantage of the smaller form factor. Certainly Panasonic and Olympus' reported profits don't suggest they're making much money.

Chasing Sony on price won't be helpful if, as is suggested in the article, customers expect the camera to be chunky-looking like a DSLR. That is, assuming Sony's gambit is correct.

Aug 28, 2013permalink

peevee1

I know this because they make small and pretty sharp 14-42 II and sell it for $50 with cameras, they make small and sharp 40-150 and sell it for $99 - both have more glass that $800 12mm/2 and $500 17/1.8, not even mentioning $300 17/2.8 which is junk.
And making lenses this small is not expensive at all, PS lenses are 10 times smaller and cost much cheaper.

Aug 28, 2013*permalink

Bart Hickman

We were talking about camera bodies. The difference in lens sizes between m43 and APS-C is negligible as far as material cost or tolerances are concerned (APS-C is slightly more material, m43 needs slightly tighter tolerances.) PS cameras with comparable features aren't that much cheaper and they don't have to deal with a detaching lens mount interface. Cheaper cameras don't have as many buttons, hotshoe, focus rings, and other interconnects.

Aug 28, 2013permalink

mpgxsvcd

All of the other manufactures just cut their forecasts. This is just like when the crack head next door dumps his house for pennies on the dollar to get his next fix. The whole neighborhood just ends up suffering for it.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

Mark B.

I don't understand all the negative comments about the form factor. The lenses for an APS-C sensor are not small, so a larger camera body with a substantial grip makes sense to me.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

I think some people are complaining about the body depth, which is a lot greater than Sony's NEX, which are also E-mount.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

57even

Wake me up when it's over.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

RStyga

A potentially successful camera in Sony's faildom.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

justmeMN

Sony admits that what people really want is a DSLR, an interesting way to design and market a mirrorless camera.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

Entropius

Panasonic has done that from the beginning. The G1, the very first m4/3 camera, looked like a DSLR and tried its best to act like one. Nothing wrong with that.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

Bart Hickman

Sony is making actual DSLR cameras (or at least they were until recently.) I suppose the salient difference with the A3000 is the price point.

Aug 28, 2013permalink

Cailean Gallimore

Cheap and nasty?

Looks like that to me.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

Ettishole

Touche, Sony. Touche.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

wootpile

Where is t-h-e f-l-i-p-s-c-r-e-e-n !?

Aug 27, 2013permalink

Flip screens cost more money. Do you seriously think that, at $400 for a complete kit, they had a lot of wiggle room to add various other things, like a flip screen. Think! Yeah, if this were a couple hundred dollars more expensive, that might be a decent question. But clearly, at such a low, low price, it's going to be relatively bare-bones when it comes to things like an articulating or flipping screen.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

acidic

still, they should have included a flip screen.

Aug 28, 2013permalink

peevee1

How can they sell it for $400 with lens, with EVF and better battery life from the same battery, when NEX-5T is $700 with lens? Price war has begun, finally the mirrorless tech takes advantage of its lower production cost.
Only big thing is the stunted sequential performance.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

abolit

who is this camera for? nothing comes to mind so far....

Aug 27, 2013permalink

BJL

Phone and compact camera users wanting their first "serious camera", and who still believe that such cameras must at least look like the SLRs that pros use. At the cost of a completely imobile rear-screen, greater bulk. It is the "suburbanite's SUV" of mirrorless cameras. It will probably sell frustratingly well, at least in the USA.

P.S. never mind: the second paragraph of the preview says it already!

Aug 27, 2013*permalink

Nothing comes to mind? You sure you have anything in that mind? Come on, there are a *lot* of consumers who will find this camera very attractive. People walking into a Best Buy or Costco will be think this is a great buy.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

Entropius

@BJL: Compact superzoom/EVF cameras have looked like SLR's for a long while, and for reasonable reasons: a lens at the front, a viewfinder at the back, a grip to hold it by, etc. It's not a vanity thing -- it's a usability thing.

It's not "for" anyone in particular, other than people who want to take pictures. There are no standout features other than a viewfinder and sensor at the back and a lens mount at the front; that's no bad thing.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

BJL

@Entropus: "There are no standout features other than a viewfinder and sensor at the back and a lens mount at the front" How can you ignore that it also looks a lot more like an SLR than previous Sony E-mount cameras, including ones like the NEX 6 which has all the features you list? Even after I mentioned that SLR resemblance in the post you are replying to?

I would say that compared to previous Sony E-mount cameras, looking like a SLR is THE standout feature!

Aug 27, 2013*permalink

Valentinian

(Dpreview's "wolf in sheep's clothing" couldn't say it better...)

Aug 27, 2013*permalink

pruus

nice sensor quality, see: http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/19-pictures-a3000-zeiss1670-f4_topic100871.html

Aug 27, 2013permalink

tocar

What niche is Sony attempting to fill with this camera? Seems like a hybrid between a bridge camera and a dSLR. For a mirrorless camera it can only do 2.5fps! I wonder if Canon is coming out with it's SX50 replacement soon

Aug 27, 2013permalink

Abrak

A decidely luke warm reception from DPR and most posters it seems. Admittedly this isnt exactly a retro looking mirrorless like the GX7 with multi megapixel lcd and EVF, 1/8000 sec shutter speed etc - for US$1400. The most innovative thing about this camera is its price. It is in fact the first mirrorless camera to take advantage of mirrorless key competitive advantage which is cost by undercutting the Canikon offerings.

But hasnt this been done already. The Panasonic G series and with the old model the G5 already selling at a blow out price of under US$400. Well exactly - which mirrorless is the best selling at Amazon today - the OMD? the GX7? the Fuji Xe-1? the EPL-5? the Canon EOS-M? or perhaps the Panny G6?

No actually it is the G5.

http://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Electronics-Compact-System-Cameras/zgbs/electronics/3109924011/ref=zg_bs_nav_e_3_281052

Aug 27, 2013permalink

CFynn

And what was the launch price of the G5?

By Boxing Day - or maybe even before - I'll bet this a3000 will be on sale at much less than launch price

Aug 27, 2013permalink

yabokkie

> what was the launch price of the G5?

700 something but that doesn't matter since neither the price of G5 nor A3000 will fall as much. it's not a good idea to sell A3000 at 200 destroying the market for everyone.

Canon EF-M is also quite good expecially their high quality cheap lenses. 22/2 can beat the resolution of 24/1.8 (near half a stop slower but much more cheaper). how better can 16-70 perform against 18-55?

Aug 27, 2013*permalink

taktak91

A dull camrea from increasingly dull manufacturer. I guess cameras are just a small portion of Sony's business.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

Most of the top selling cameras in the market would be considered very "dull" by the standards of your average photo equipment form nerd. I guess you don't know much about business.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

ThePhilips

"I guess cameras are just a small portion of Sony's business."

Literally every camera business this days is just a small portion of the overall business of the companies. Canon, Sony and Panasonic each employ more than 150K people - and only few of them do anything photography related. Oly and Fuji too are mostly medical equipment companies this days.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

rxbot

How about we use this body add a metabones speedbooster Nikon F to Sony E mount adapter then we will have lots of glass and fast too to choose from.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

rxbot

Samsung has already done both forms in its APS-C camera lines,remains to be seen if they can price match this with something.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

tkbslc

Samsung couldn't give away NX cameras in the US, sadly. Not sure why, but nobody takes them seriously here.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

MirosIav

This is not the first time someone made a cheap mirrorless camera that looks like a DSLR. Anyone remembers Panasonic G10? But this is the first one with IBIS, although it's not quite clear how it works. I wish Sony better luck than Panasonic had with the G10...

Aug 27, 2013permalink

peevee1

It does not have IBIS.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

MirosIav

Yeah, unfortunately. I found that out only after my comment. I'm not interested anymore.

Aug 27, 2013permalink

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Sony introduces SLR-esque A3000, a mirrorless camera for $400

Sony Introduces New A3000 DSLR-Style Interchangeable Lens Camera

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