Nikon D3000 vs Sony HX350

The Nikon D3000 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX350 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in July 2009 and December 2016. The D3000 is a DSLR, while the HX350 is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on an APS-C (D3000) and a 1/2.3-inch (HX350) sensor. The Nikon has a resolution of 10 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 19.9 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Nikon D3000		Sony HX350
Digital single lens reflex		Fixed lens compact camera
Nikon F mount lenses		24-1200mm f/2.8-6.3
10 MP, APS-C Sensor		19.9 MP, 1/2.3" Sensor
no Video		1080/60p Video
ISO 100-1,600 (100 - 3,200)		ISO 80-3,200 (80 - 12,800)
Optical viewfinder		Electronic viewfinder (202k dots)
3.0 LCD, 230k dots		3.0 LCD, 922k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Tilting screen (not touch-sensitive)
3 shutter flaps per second		10 shutter flaps per second
500 shots per battery charge		300 shots per battery charge
126 x 97 x 64 mm, 536 g		130 x 93 x 103 mm, 652 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon D3000 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX350? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Nikon D3000 and the Sony HX350 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony HX350 is somewhat smaller (1 percent) than the Nikon D3000. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the D3000 nor the HX350 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the HX350 has a lens built in, whereas the D3000 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the D3000 and their specifications in the Nikon Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the D3000 gets 500 shots out of its EN-EL9a battery, while the HX350 can take 300 images on a single charge of its NP-BX1 power pack.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Nikon D3000	126 mm	97 mm	64 mm	536 g	500	n	Jul 2009	599
2.		Sony HX350	130 mm	93 mm	103 mm	652 g	300	n	Dec 2016	449
3.		Fujifilm X100	126 mm	75 mm	54 mm	445 g	300	n	Sep 2010	1,199
4.		Kodak AZ901	139 mm	104 mm	119 mm	777 g	400	n	Jan 2016	499
5.		Nikon B700	125 mm	85 mm	107 mm	565 g	350	n	Feb 2016	499
6.		Nikon D3200	125 mm	96 mm	77 mm	505 g	540	n	Apr 2012	599
7.		Nikon D3100	124 mm	96 mm	75 mm	505 g	550	n	Aug 2010	599
8.		Nikon D5000	127 mm	104 mm	80 mm	590 g	510	n	Apr 2009	749
9.		Nikon D60	126 mm	94 mm	64 mm	522 g	500	n	Jan 2008	629
10.		Nikon D90	132 mm	103 mm	77 mm	703 g	850	n	Aug 2008	1,299
11.		Nikon D40X	124 mm	94 mm	64 mm	522 g	520	n	Mar 2007	729
12.		Nikon D40	124 mm	94 mm	64 mm	522 g	470	n	Nov 2006	499
13.		Olympus E-450	130 mm	91 mm	53 mm	440 g	500	n	Mar 2009	499
14.		Olympus E-420	130 mm	91 mm	53 mm	440 g	500	n	Mar 2008	599
15.		Panasonic FZ80	130 mm	94 mm	119 mm	616 g	330	n	Jan 2017	399
16.		Sony HX90V	102 mm	58 mm	36 mm	245 g	360	n	Apr 2015	429
17.		Sony HX400V	130 mm	93 mm	103 mm	660 g	300	n	Feb 2014	499
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The HX350 was launched at a lower price than the D3000, despite having a lens built in. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Nikon D3000 features an APS-C sensor and the Sony HX350 a 1/2.3-inch sensor. The sensor area in the HX350 is 92 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 5.6. The sensor in the D3000 has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the HX350 offers a 4:3 aspect.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the HX350 offers a higher resolution of 19.9 megapixels, compared with 10 MP of the D3000. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 1.19μm versus 6.11μm for the D3000). However, it should be noted that the HX350 is much more recent (by 7 years and 4 months) than the D3000, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the HX350 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Sony HX350 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the HX350 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.8 x 19.3 inches or 65.4 x 49.1 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.6 x 15.5 inches or 52.3 x 39.3 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.2 x 12.9 inches or 43.6 x 32.7 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon D3000 are 19.4 x 13 inches or 49.2 x 32.9 cm for good quality, 15.5 x 10.4 inches or 39.3 x 26.3 cm for very good quality, and 12.9 x 8.6 inches or 32.8 x 21.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Nikon D3000 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600, which can be extended to ISO 100-3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX350 are ISO 80 to ISO 3200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 80-12800.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Nikon D3000	APS-C	10.0	3872	2592	none	22.3	11.1	563	62
2.		Sony HX350	1/2.3	19.9	5152	3864	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
3.		Fujifilm X100	APS-C	12.2	4288	2848	720/30p	22.9	12.4	1001	73
4.		Kodak AZ901	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/30p	..	..	..	..
5.		Nikon B700	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
6.		Nikon D3200	APS-C	24.1	6016	4000	1080/30p	24.1	13.2	1131	81
7.		Nikon D3100	APS-C	14.2	4608	3072	1080/24p	22.5	11.3	919	67
8.		Nikon D5000	APS-C	12.2	4288	2848	720/24p	22.7	12.5	868	72
9.		Nikon D60	APS-C	10.0	3872	2592	none	22.5	11.4	562	65
10.		Nikon D90	APS-C	12.2	4288	2848	720/24p	22.7	12.5	977	73
11.		Nikon D40X	APS-C	10.0	3872	2592	none	22.4	11.4	516	63
12.		Nikon D40	APS-C	6.0	3008	2000	none	21.0	11.0	561	56
13.		Olympus E-450	Four Thirds	10.0	3648	2736	none	21.5	10.5	512	56
14.		Olympus E-420	Four Thirds	10.0	3648	2736	none	21.5	10.4	527	56
15.		Panasonic FZ80	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
16.		Sony HX90V	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
17.		Sony HX400V	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	..	..	..	..

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The HX350 indeed provides for movie recording, while the D3000 does not. The highest resolution format that the HX350 can use is 1080/60p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the HX350 has an electronic viewfinder (202k dots), while the D3000 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Nikon D3000 and Sony HX350 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Nikon D3000	optical	n	3.0	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
2.		Sony HX350	202	n	3.0	922	tilting	n	1/4000s	10.0	Y	Y
3.		Fujifilm X100	1440	n	2.8	460	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
4.		Kodak AZ901	202	n	3.0	920	swivel	n	1/2000s	5.0	Y	Y
5.		Nikon B700	921	n	3.0	921	swivel	n	1/4000s	5.0	Y	Y
6.		Nikon D3200	optical	n	3.0	921	fixed	n	1/4000s	4.0	Y	n
7.		Nikon D3100	optical	n	3.0	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
8.		Nikon D5000	optical	n	2.7	230	full-flex	n	1/4000s	4.0	Y	n
9.		Nikon D60	optical	n	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
10.		Nikon D90	optical	Y	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/4000s	4.5	Y	n
11.		Nikon D40X	optical	n	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
12.		Nikon D40	optical	n	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.5	Y	n
13.		Olympus E-450	optical	n	2.7	215	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.5	Y	n
14.		Olympus E-420	optical	n	2.7	215	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.5	Y	n
15.		Panasonic FZ80	1166	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y
16.		Sony HX90V	638	n	3.0	921	tilting	n	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y
17.		Sony HX400V	210	n	3.0	921	tilting	n	1/4000s	10.0	Y	Y

The D3000 writes its imaging data to SDHC cards, while the HX350 uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon D3000 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX350 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Nikon D3000	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
2.		Sony HX350	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	-	-	-
3.		Fujifilm X100	Y	stereo	-	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
4.		Kodak AZ901	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
5.		Nikon B700	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
6.		Nikon D3200	Y	mono	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
7.		Nikon D3100	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
8.		Nikon D5000	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
9.		Nikon D60	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
10.		Nikon D90	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
11.		Nikon D40X	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
12.		Nikon D40	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
13.		Olympus E-450	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
14.		Olympus E-420	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
15.		Panasonic FZ80	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
16.		Sony HX90V	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
17.		Sony HX400V	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-

It is notable that the D3000 has a hotshoe, while the HX350 does not. This socket makes it possible to easily attach optional accessories, such as an external flash gun.

The HX350 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Sony. In contrast, the D3000 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the D3000 was succeeded by the Nikon D3100. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Nikon and Sony websites.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Nikon D3000 better than the Sony HX350 or vice versa? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Advantages of the Nikon D3000:

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
• Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
• Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
• More flexible: Can take a variety of interchangeable lenses, including specialty optics.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (500 versus 300) on a single battery charge.
• Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in July 2009).

Arguments in favor of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX350:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (19.9 vs 10MP), which boosts linear resolution by 38%.
• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 1080/60p video.
• More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (922k vs 230k dots).
• More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Ready to shoot: Comes with an integrated lens, while the D3000 requires a separate lens.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
• More modern: Reflects 7 years and 4 months of technical progress since the D3000 launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the HX350 comes out slightly ahead of the D3000 (11 : 10 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon D3000 and the Sony HX350 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Superzoom Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the D3000 and the HX350 in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Nikon D3000	..	+	72/100	4/5	4.5/5	Jul 2009	599
2.		Sony HX350	..	..	..	..	4/5	Dec 2016	449
3.		Fujifilm X100	3/5	..	75/100	4/5	5/5	Sep 2010	1,199
4.		Kodak AZ901	..	..	..	3.5/5	3/5	Jan 2016	499
5.		Nikon B700	..	+	..	4/5	4/5	Feb 2016	499
6.		Nikon D3200	5/5	+ +	73/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2012	599
7.		Nikon D3100	5/5	+ +	72/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2010	599
8.		Nikon D5000	..	+ +	75/100	4/5	4.5/5	Apr 2009	749
9.		Nikon D60	..	80/100	+ +	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2008	629
10.		Nikon D90	..	+ +	+ +	4/5	4.5/5	Aug 2008	1,299
11.		Nikon D40X	..	79/100	+ +	4/5	4/5	Mar 2007	729
12.		Nikon D40	..	81/100	+ +	o	4.5/5	Nov 2006	499
13.		Olympus E-450	..	..	..	4/5	4/5	Mar 2009	499
14.		Olympus E-420	..	85/100	+ +	4/5	4.5/5	Mar 2008	599
15.		Panasonic FZ80	..	+ +	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	399
16.		Sony HX90V	4/5	+ +	..	4/5	4.5/5	Apr 2015	429
17.		Sony HX400V	4/5	+ +	..	4/5	4/5	Feb 2014	499
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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Specifications: Nikon D3000 vs Sony HX350

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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