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

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:

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

Additional images

Sony Alpha a3000

Comments

Wake me up when it’s over.

A potentially successful camera in Sony’s faildom.

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

Cheap and nasty?

Looks like that to me.

Touche, Sony. Touche.

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

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.

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

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!

(Dpreview’s “wolf in sheep’s clothing” couldn’t say it better…)

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

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

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.

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

> 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?

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

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.

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

DP REVIEW ,, Timmbits below MADE a great commmmment,,.. add a dislike button , next to the like button !! What a great Idea,,, JUST like a 20 Mega Pixel camera WITH a LENS for Just 400 BUCKS !! What a GREAT DO ABLE cost and IQ. Every one complaining about this camera not having a coffee maker or a button or IS,, Catch a CLUE !! This is SO VERY VERY SUPER COOL !!! 400 BUCKS and you really get a PRo IQ capture ! Think about it !! All the current cANnOTs are only around 20 Mega Pixels !! and some of those cost ,, almost 8 ish GRAND !!!!!! This CAMERA is WAY COOL !!!! Thank You Sony !

I think this camera will ROCK THE WORLD AT THIS PRICE AND IT COMES WITH A LENS !!!! 20 MEGA PIXELS !! What a DEAL !!!! 400 BUCKS ! Thank goodness it has less buttons and Junk on it !! It is a GREAT CAMERA with an APS sensor that out does ANY current cANnot half frame body !! AND it cost 400 HUNDRED BUCKS .. WHAT A DEAL ! Yes it does not have a phone THANK YOU !!!!!!! This is such a GREAT BARGAIN !!!! canNot must be messing in there shorts !!!!! This is going to STING cAnNot sales !! Oh and by the way I BET IT CAN FOCUS TOO!!!!! Unlike the latest m from caMMot !! The focus on that M body is so SLOW it may be 30 YEARS before it LOCKS ON ! Why anyone would EVER come out with a camera THAT cANNOT FOCUS at ALL is beyond ME and YOU! I have to say as I re-read what I just wrote , I get a giggle out of what I just said , AS I – TELL THE TRUTH ! And I sorta want to cry for camom, for a job SO POORLY DONE !!! WHY camom WHY ? The main guys at cannot must be VERY VERY VERY lost .

Go easy on the caffeine….

Made my day 😀 😀 😀

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…

Oh Sony, this is sooooo wrong! Where is the IBIS which you earlier claimed couldn’t be fitted to the NEX series because of size considerations? Who the hell wants a mirrorless camera WITHOUT IBIS? Haven’t you learned yet?

Uh…it’s $400 (with lens, built-in viewfinder, and built-in flash). For that price, I’m sure there will be plenty of takers, even without IBIS. Other inexpensive mirrorless bodies that have IBIS don’t have built-in viewfinders or built-in flashes, or don’t have 20mp APS-C sensors.

so, does it play a more realistic shutter sound when taking a picture ?

we definitely need a [dislike] button alongside the [like] button!

it means popularity than good or bad.
like or dislike a high count will attract eyeballs.

Maybe hand out free sarcasm detectors instead.

This takes direct aim at the Samsung NX20 (and future NX30 for those who put labels before features), but also the toy-looks EOSM from Canon.

It also competes (because of ergonomics) with the Canon Rebel and the Nikon D3200. BTW, the D3200 has no bracketing, and no stereo mics.

VERY clever market positioning on Sony’s behalf. A move that will not only please consumers, but woo new customers. (including those who were dissatisfied with the ergonomics of Sony’s NEX line)

The NX20 combo at introduction was priced at $1100. Big, big difference…

it has ISO 100 unike NEX-3N.

price wars, COMMENCE!

this is pushing the APS sensor into lower price territory, paving the way for larger sensors to take their place at current price points.

Here’s a question… this is basically an e-mount dressed up to look like an a-mount. That’s fine and all, price will find it the right customers… but in principle, how is this any different than dressing up an NEX-7 into the Hasselblad Lunar? Both seem to be gilding the lily here… if you want small and e-mount, working off of something like the NEX-3 seems like a more logical idea. Unless, of course, you want to “play” at shooting a “real” DSLR….

“how is this any different than dressing up an NEX-7 into the Hasselblad Lunar? “

Seriously? Are you for real? Hasselblad Nex-7 version costs $6,000. The original Nex-7 is $1,200. This is cheaper than Nex-3n. D you not see a difference in that?

Re-read the question and key in on the word *principle*… it’s a reading comprehension thing.

in other words, you are asking a rhetorical question? in order to argue with the responders?
“in principle” it is a lot different. I won’t waste time explaining why.

Your Hasselblad reference was idiotic. Now to answer your question about the differences between Nex-3 and this camera, some people prefer larger camera with better grip. Others prefer smaller and lighter cameras that are are less conspicuous. It’s a choice.

Second, some people use Nex cameras to mount manual focus lenses via adapters, some of which are large full-frame lenses. The larger body with better grip might be more balanced with large full-frame lenses, for those users. Again a choice. Sony should release higher spec A5000 for those users, especially for users who use Metabones Speed Booster adapter.

So there. I answered you.

You guys…sheesh.

With the lunar, you are using cosmetic changes to justify a huge price increase. With the A3000, you are appropriating the look of a DSLR to give the impression of elevating the camera above its NEX-3 roots. My point… is the consumer really being served by the pseudo-DSLR packaging? Sony could have tried for $400 with the NEX form factor. In both cases, the consumer is paying… paying more for emotional value with the dressed up NEX-7, and ‘paying’ more in lost portability with a dressed up NEX+. The great things is that it’s incredibly cheap for APS-C, but if you stop to think about it, it’s also on the big side for a mirrorless camera.

“how is this any different than dressing up an NEX-7 into the Hasselblad Lunar?”

Uh…the Lunar got an insane price hike (about $6500) while the A3000 is only $400. You don’t think that’s any different? Not even a little bit different? Then maybe you should think a little harder. LOL.

the ERGONOMICS are much BETTER! surely you can see that, no?
I own a NX20 (and had a NX200 and NX1000 before that)… that’ spretty much the same situation with this versus the NEX series.
Hold a NEX in your hand, then hold one of these… there is no comparison. SOME customers just don’t like the format of the NEX, and I think that this is in answer to that… and a good answer at that.

@stuntmonkey – you got it all wrong.
The A3000 is cheaper, because bulky PLASTIC !

It’s not supposed to look better/more professional than a NEX-3 – it’s supposed to save production costs by not minimizing every component (small=expensive) and using expensive metal for the body.

Sony just put the nails in the APS-C and Mirrorless cameras coffin. The future is only FF DSLRs and Phone cameras. Wanna know why Pana struggles with the GH3, it was priced 600 over where it should have been. Nice job Sony. Now the APS-C is going to go down in price and eventually move out completely and make way for low priced FF.

While you’re at it why not demand for a free GH-3 with the kit lens?

This is the most basic camera that they could’ve released and technology from 5 years ago is how they’ve achieved this price. I wouldn’t touch it with a 10 feet pole.

And if Sony starts a price war m43 will follow because their cameras are nicely overpriced.

We’ll see about that.

When the first mirrorless cameras hit the streets, there were similar prognostications: the end of SLR cameras, blah, blah blah. Many years later, mirrorless cameras are still struggling to gain a foothold in the US and European markets (see CIPA results).

Having owned an EVF camera for one year, I have personally sworn off EVF technology. There’s nothing like a good old OVF.

Furthermore, lens selection for Sony is still VERY limited.

Time will tell if Sony is going to succeed or not. I am not so optimistic about their camera line.

A new, well-priced entry-level APSC mirrorless camera does not put a nail in the coffin of either APSC or mirrorless cameras! It might be part of the downfall of entry-level DSLRs, with their unsatisfactory small VF images caused by the combination of a small format and a penta-mirror (instead of penta-prism) OVF. Sony is right in touting the advantages of the a3000‘s EVF over the OVFs of similarly priced DSLRs.

The warning is the air for the over-priced m4/3 cameras.

My comment below:

Any speculation about the price of the Olympus OM-D after this Sony?

Note: I own an OM-D, with the Panaleica 25mm.

think we will have to wait for dual-pixel PDAF Canon mirrorless because Pana’s fast readout CDAF is still the king.

for image quality, Sony chose f/4 on APS-C which won’t give us better result as f/2.8 zooms for 4/3″.

f/4 on APS-C ~= f/6.1 equiv.
f/2.8 on 4/3″ ~= f/5.6 equiv., larger aperture than Sony f/4.

They realized that people in US and EU like the DSLR formfactor… And decided to put a test camera in the stores. The panasonic G series now has company!

okay Sony still need time to get Canon style dual-pixel PDAF but it doesn’t say high-speed imager CDAF either. why not they just get a Panasonic sensor?

unless sony pays for license dual-pixel PDAF in cameras other than Canon would be impossible. Also some reason Sony has forgot to add external controls on this camera that would be helpful to many advanced users.

Sony has their own technologies. They can make their own on sensor PDAF better. The rumors are that that is exactly what Sony is planning for their A-mount cameras next year.

Hilarious, can’t even give Canon credit for what is an amazing invention. Already hyping up rumours of how Sony’s going to do it better, just like their current cdaf is best in show I can’t wait, except of course I’ll have to because it’s a rumour.

so what makes the Sony one better?

@Chaitanya S – this isn’t a camera designed for “advanced users”

More external controls would have cost more and probably not been of much use for the the target market. Don’t worry, if this sells well there will be more advanced models with more features so people can upgrade.

waiting for the A65 or A77 updates.. where are they…

Not coming anymore, rather expect the a6000 and a7000.

works for me, assuming every single aspect of either camera is equal to or greater than the predecessor camera.

yes. A-mount deserves to die.

Sony better invent some amazing new AF system if they are dumping SLT DSLR’s, because their current efforts in NEX are mediocre and way behind m4/3.

they are not dumping their SLT ( translucent A mount). A mount will be use for higher range cams.

> they are not dumping their SLT

I don’t think they have a choice but abandon it.

Guys, It’s $400 MSRP with a kit lens. This is the cheapest APS-C camera ever released. Think before you make comments about specs.

Sorry for the naiveté but why did they go with E-mount on this instead of A-mount?

size

Begs the question why not? Sony already has a low end A mount model in the A58, They don’t have a DSLR shaped camera in the NEX line, this is probably just the start of a DSLR shaped NEX line – designed to give people more choice in the Digital Camera market.

A-mount is dying, APS-C ones die first.

Cost. No mirror or PDAF module.

Size, weight, cost – especially a lens like the kit E 18-55 could be cheap to make – it has no retrofocus at all (starting from FL equal to their flange distance) and can employ software corrections which are part of the E-mount spec. Of course even with that simple task, Sony managed to create an extremely junky lens, and not even that small.

Any speculation about the price of the Olympus OM-D after this Sony?

Note: I own an OM-D, with the Panaleica 25mm.

Seems like a different market. I have a hard time believing the Rebel/A3000 market is interested in the OMD (any more than those same people were interested in the NEX-6/7). Those people are currently overwhelmingly buying Rebels or low end Nikons.

So I would say Oly would not change the price of the OMD that much because it probably wouldn’t boost their sales very much. But I’m no expert.

$399.99 brand new with lens.

“Well that opens the ball…” Wellington, Battle of Waterloo.

Seems Sony has way too much money for R&D.

cdaf, fixed screen, E mount, 60i, …

PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

I’ll keep my SLT A57 thank you very much. Seriously… what the crap is this??????

An entry level interchangeable lens camera. The CDAF is probably pretty quick, the fixed screens are what people with most compacts or cellphones are used to, E mount is fine. Some of my favs are there (24/1.8 Zeiss, SEL 18-200, 10-18/4, and now the 16-70 Zeiss [hopeful the IQ rocks!]), 60i, meh – entry level people will probably not never care.
Given the leaks that have been out on this camera for a good week or so, just now coming to the conclusion that the A3000 is not an A57 replacement is kind of silly.

What the crap is this? The proving grounds for a future Fullframe camera with a built-in EVF, proper grip, more space for more controls and ultimate lens adaptability with one of the best sensor manufacturer. Just saying…

For $400 complete with lens, it’s pretty darn good cr@p. And this is only the first generation, the first iteration of these AXXXX bodies. There’s plenty of room for improvement, room for them to add things for future models, or higher models. I can see an A5000, or A7000, or whatever, with a higher spec and priced the same as an SLT A57 being potentially pretty awesome…and with the flexibility of slapping your lenses on an NEX body for maximum compactness, without the need for a large adapter.

I was looking for phase detection AF (i shoot indoor with moving people a lot) and touch screen. These are features on the NEX 5R.

I guess this is geared for younger/ H.S with less budget or using parents’ money, but want the slr-like design. Might be a good idea.

I think what Sony did here is great. You get an APS-C camera at a very affordable price. Granted, there are some compromises made…but still it’s a wonderful idea to have a camera like this whose price tag is not completely out of reach for a person who wants to get into photography as a hobby but is on a tighter budget.

A58 isn’t much, and it’ll give a flip out screen, pdaf, and A mount.
A3000 = trash.

The A58 is still $600, and that might put it out of the range for some, it’s still available as an option, but the A3000 is just one more option, and what’s wrong with giving people more options.

> A3000 = trash

ragman will buy it

@123mike

You can’t seem to understand the big difference here. Price. When I first got into photography seriously, Ididn’t know if I could make use of expensive cameras. Ididn’t eve know how far I’d take my photography or how serious. So I bought one of the cheapest models that could produce good IQ for its price:Nex C3.

It was cheaper than even the cheap canons and nikons at the time Ibought it. I wasn’t going to be spending any more cash than I needed to for something I didn’t know I could make use of.

This is how people get started. Small then move up. You might think $600ish is cheap, and it is, but it’s not cheap when you consider a person who wants to get into photography but doesn’t know if the money is going to be utilised to full effect.

At $300 price point, nearly anyone interested can seriously consider this without much hesitation. It’s basically a Nex C3 with abuilt in EVF… for $300.

There is a market for this.

Adding to what wansai said, the difference isn’t just price, either. There’s also flexibility. You will be able to stick these lenses on NEX bodies, so you have the option of DSLR-style or NEX-style bodies, within the same system, with no need for any adapters. This A3000 certainly won’t be the only, or last AXXX body. I’m sure it will be an entire line of models, just like there’s a whole line of NEX bodies to choose from. The fact that you’ll potentially have a bunch of AXXXX bodies, in addition to a bunch of NEX bodies to choose from, gives you quite a lot of choice within the E system. A3000 is merely the beginning, and you can bet that there will be a lot of people beginning with A3000.

123Mike is just throwing an insecure hissy-fit. He just doesn’t get what the A3000 is, and what it means to the bigger picture and longer-term potential of the E system.

Sony, kill the stupid nex menu system will you? My god.

They have a superior one in the RX100 and Alpha DSLR’s already, just use that style.

Good price for a camera and lens combo, that is for certain.

NEX’s menu was designed by stupid designers for stupid users. user-friendly was given too high priority that they got lost.

At first I thought, “What’s the point, just get a NEX 6”, but then I saw the price.

200k dot EVF and 230k LCD screen. Thats low even for 400$.

You can bet next year’s model will have a better EVF and better LCD, cost the same – and then this will go on sale for nearly half price.

Who said the EVF is 200k? Rumors were about 1.4M.

So it has the size disadvantage of a DSLR, and the lack of fast PDAF for a mirrorless…
can’t people just get a grip?

Which DSLR weighs 222g (280g with battery)? This NEX is an option for those who whine about not getting a grip with RF form of the NEX bodies offered so far.

how does it compare with GH3 and G6
in size, AF speed, and image quality?

The price advantage of a compact with the handling & image quality of a DSLR.

As for “lack of fast PDAF”, have you tried a mirrorless in the last couple of years?

@qwertyasdf:
Sony A3000 281g, Canon SL1 407g, Nikon D3200 505g
Sony A3000 $400, Canon SL1 $750, Nikon D3200 $550

Sony A3000 102 x 58 x 38 mm
Canon SL1 117 x 91 x 69 mm
Nikon D3200 125 x 96 x 77 mm

The Sony is significantly smaller, lighter and less expensive. Someone who doesn’t have much to spend on an interchangeable lens camera now has another nice option to choose.

qwertyasdf, people want what they want. Can’t fault Sony for trying to give them what they want. Besides, I think it’s an excellent strategic move. Assuming it performs, it’ll serve as a gateway camera to the NEX system.

first picture`s taken with the A3000 & ZEISS 16-70 F4 OSS
http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/19-pictures-a3000-zeiss1670-f4_topic100871_page1.html

@ijsvogel

Looks like the sensor is good – especially for a $300 camera body.