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Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-3N

Portability
79
Imaging
50
Features
31
Overall
42
Leica M8 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
Portability
89
Imaging
58
Features
52
Overall
55

Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-3N Key Specs

Leica M8
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-H Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 2500
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 591g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
  • Revealed July 2007
Sony NEX-3N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 62 x 35mm
  • Announced February 2013
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-F3
  • Updated by Sony a5000
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Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-3N Overview

Let's look more closely at the Leica M8 versus Sony NEX-3N, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Leica and Sony. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the M8 (10MP) and NEX-3N (16MP) and the M8 (APS-H) and NEX-3N (APS-C) offer different sensor measurements.

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The M8 was brought out 6 years earlier than the NEX-3N which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the M8 grades vs the NEX-3N with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica M8 over the Sony NEX-3N

 M8 NEX-3N 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Leica M8

 NEX-3N M8 
AnnouncedFebruary 2013July 2007Newer by 67 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Leica M8 and Sony NEX-3N

 M8 NEX-3N 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-3N Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and size. The Leica M8 offers exterior measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") having a weight of 591 grams (1.30 lbs) and the Sony NEX-3N has specifications of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check out the Leica M8 versus Sony NEX-3N in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use during that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the M8 and the NEX-3N.

Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-3N size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the M8 and NEX-3N is 79 and 89 respectively.

Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-3N top view buttons comparison

Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-3N Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions simply by checking technical specs. The pic here will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the M8 and NEX-3N.

As you can tell, both cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The M8 featuring a larger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh simpler and the Sony NEX-3N will give you extra detail having its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more aged M8 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-3N sensor size comparison

Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M8 Portrait photography information
Sony NEX-3N Portrait photography information
54
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-H)
saves RAW files
no liveview
low resolution (10MP)
66
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Leica M8 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Street photography camera
62
good sensor size (APS-H)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
77
tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica M8
Sports photography with Sony NEX-3N
43
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
good sensor size (APS-H)
good battery (550 CIPA)
no liveview
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (10MP)
does not have phase detect AF
54
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great battery life (480 CIPA)
max frames per second very slow (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica M8 Travel photography details
Sony NEX-3N Travel photography details
51
good battery (550 shots)
lack of Timelapse recording
low resolution (10 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
71
great battery life (480 per charge)
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M8 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Landscape photography camera
55
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Leica M mount)
good sensor size (APS-H)
does not have anti-alias filter
saves RAW files
good battery (550 per charge)
screen is small (2.5 inches)
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (10 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse recording
70
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (480 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica M8
Vlogging with Sony NEX-3N
9
can't record video
28
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have external mic port
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Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M8 and Sony NEX-3N
 Leica M8Sony Alpha NEX-3N
General Information
Company Leica Sony
Model Leica M8 Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2007-07-31 2013-02-25
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-H APS-C
Sensor dimensions 27 x 18mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 486.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3936 x 2630 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 2500 16000
Min native ISO 160 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica M Sony E
Number of lenses 59 121
Focal length multiplier 1.3 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.5" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash -
Flash modes Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync -
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 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
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - 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 591 grams (1.30 pounds) 269 grams (0.59 pounds)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 59 74
DXO Color Depth score 21.1 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 12.5
DXO Low light score 663 1067
Other
Battery life 550 shots 480 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $4,400 $399