Genius move by Sony: a wolf in sheep’s clothing with the heart of a NEX. By introducing the A3000, a no-nonsense mirrorless camera disguised as a DSLR, Sony might very well convince the people that still think a good camera has to look like a DSLR. Mirrorless adoption is still lagging in the Western countries and appearance is, for many, everything. So why not sell them an apple as an orange! Sony takes a DSLR-styled body and puts a NEX camera with E mount inside. It looks the same, costs less and is a Sony. For not even $400 with the 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 kit lens.

Low budget, few controls, but who cares if the sensor and image quality deliver. When you pick up the A300 you don’t pick up a sturdy solid body. That comes with the price.

But you get a light body with good grip, 20.1MP APS-C HD sensor, ISO 16,000 sensitivity, up to 3.5 fps, full HD 1080 60i and 24p movies with built-in stereo mics, convenient USB charging and last but not least an interchangeable lens camera for E mount glass. For $398…

The A3000 makes very good sense as a family camera if the wife or kids don’t get along with the NEX form factor but you already have the E glass. Or simply as a cheap backup camera. Who’s afraid of wear and tear with a $400 combo… While the A3000 is not weather-sealed I’d take it everywhere without bothering about use and abuse.

+++ You can order the Sony A3000 from Amazon, B&H and Adorama.