To compare real-life performance we shot the same scene with the Nikon D3000, Canon EOS 1000D / XS and Sony Alpha A230 within a few moments of each other using their best quality JPEG settings, lowest base sensitivities and default processing options.

The most obvious difference between the three models below is a softer overall image from the Nikon D3000. This initially looks like a slight focusing error, but we retook the same composition multiple times with the same result. We also shot an alternative test composition, this time with the lenses zoomed-in, and again the same thing happened.

As you'll see in our RAW comparison at the bottom of this page though, the softness seen here is down to comparatively mild sharpening being applied to in-camera JPEGs. For some subjects you don't really notice, but at other times, such as here, the D3000 can come across as looking quite soft. This becomes all the more obvious when the Canon and Sony models pictured alongside have their sharpening settings turned-up higher than Nikon by default, but if you’re after something punchier from the D3000, it’s easily adjusted using the Picture Controls.

Beyond sharpening differences, you’ll notice Canon and Sony have opted for comparatively warm and cold white balances respectively, as we’ve also seen on their previous models. Finally, the Canon kit lens is exhibiting the most obvious coloured fringing in the mountain ridge crop although look closely and you’ll also see evidence of it on the Nikon and Sony samples too. The D3000 doesn't appear to correct fringing in-camera like other current Nikon DSLRs.

Looking beyond the sharpening differences, all three cameras are delivering essentially the same degree of real-life detail, which isn’t surprising considering they share the same sensor resolution and are operating here under ideal conditions at 100 ISO, f8 and bright sunlight. Despite these technical similarities though, there’s noticeable differences to how they handle noise at higher sensitivities, so to see how they compare, check out our Nikon D3000 High ISO Noise results.

Alternatively if you can wait a moment longer, scroll down to the bottom of this page to see what benefits there are to shooting in RAW with the D3000.

The processed RAW file below shows a dramatic improvement in sharpness over the in-camera JPEG, as if a veil has been lifted. Considering both crops below are made from the same original data it eliminates concerns over focusing errors discussed above. The fact is the Nikon D3000 applies relatively modest in-camera sharpening to its JPEGs by default. This is easily corrected – if desired – by boosting the Picture Control settings, but perhaps Nikon should have made the default settings for this budget model at little punchier by default. Its target audience of first-time DSLR owners may find it a little refrained when upgrading from a point and shoot.

To be fair to Nikon though, the earlier D60 went over-the-top in the other direction, with unrealistically vibrant processing. We criticised the D60 for this and are pleased to find a more natural approach here, but again just a little extra sharpening and contrast can work wonders on the D3000.