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Canon SX1 IS vs Sony NEX-3N

Portability
64
Imaging
32
Features
53
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
52
Overall
54

Canon SX1 IS vs Sony NEX-3N Key Specs

Canon SX1 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 615g - 128 x 88 x 88mm
  • Revealed March 2009
Sony NEX-3N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 62 x 35mm
  • Released February 2013
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-F3
  • Replacement is Sony a5000
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Canon SX1 IS vs Sony NEX-3N Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Canon SX1 IS vs Sony NEX-3N, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Canon and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the SX1 IS (10MP) and NEX-3N (16MP) and the SX1 IS (1/2.3") and NEX-3N (APS-C) provide totally different sensor size.

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The SX1 IS was released 4 years before the NEX-3N and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX1 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony NEX-3N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the SX1 IS matches up versus the NEX-3N with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX1 IS over the Sony NEX-3N

 SX1 IS NEX-3N 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Canon SX1 IS

 NEX-3N SX1 IS 
ReleasedFebruary 2013March 2009Fresher by 47 months
Screen size3"2.8"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX1 IS and Sony NEX-3N

 SX1 IS NEX-3N 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Canon SX1 IS vs Sony NEX-3N Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX1 IS has got outside measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") along with a weight of 615 grams (1.36 lbs) while the Sony NEX-3N has dimensions of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX1 IS vs Sony NEX-3N in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX1 IS vs the NEX-3N.

Canon SX1 IS vs Sony NEX-3N size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SX1 IS and NEX-3N is 64 and 89 respectively.

Canon SX1 IS vs Sony NEX-3N top view buttons comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Sony NEX-3N Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing simply by seeing specs. The visual underneath will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SX1 IS and NEX-3N.

All in all, the two cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SX1 IS because of its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field tougher and the Sony NEX-3N will provide extra detail as a result of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The older SX1 IS will be behind in sensor technology.

Canon SX1 IS vs Sony NEX-3N sensor size comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX1 IS vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX1 IS
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-3N
45
has manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/500s)
comes with face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
65
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Canon SX1 IS as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Street photography camera
56
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
more heavy than competitors in class (615 grams)
77
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-3N Sports photography advice
32
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (4.0 frames/s)
low MP (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
53
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
better than average battery (480 CIPA)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Travel photography factors
Sony NEX-3N Travel photography factors
52
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
pretty wide (28mm)
long zoom (560mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors in class (615g)
low MP (10 megapixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
70
better than average battery (480 shots)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Landscape photography details
Sony NEX-3N Landscape photography details
44
has manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (2.8 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have Timelapse function
70
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (480 shots)
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Vlogging information
Sony NEX-3N Vlogging information
57
pretty wide (28mm)
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have microphone jack
more heavy than competitors in class (615 grams)
28
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
no mic port
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Canon SX1 IS vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX1 IS and Sony NEX-3N
 Canon PowerShot SX1 ISSony Alpha NEX-3N
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2009-03-27 2013-02-25
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 1600 16000
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.7 -
Macro focus distance 0cm -
Total lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Tilting
Display sizing 2.8 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.20 m -
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/500 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) 1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 615 grams (1.36 lb) 269 grams (0.59 lb)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 74
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.5
DXO Low light score not tested 1067
Other
Battery life - 480 shots
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec or custom) -
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $600 $399