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Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
79
Imaging
71
Features
84
Overall
76
Nikon Z30 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54

Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs

Nikon Z30
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 405g - 128 x 74 x 60mm
  • Launched June 2022
Sony NEX-3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
  • Announced June 2010
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-C3
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Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview

Here is a extensive assessment of the Nikon Z30 and Sony NEX-3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There is a large difference between the sensor resolutions of the Z30 (21MP) and NEX-3 (14MP) but they come with the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The Z30 was brought out 12 years later than the NEX-3 and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z30 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the Z30 scores against the NEX-3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z30 over the Sony NEX-3

 Z30 NEX-3 
AnnouncedJune 2022June 2010Fresher by 147 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1040k920kClearer display (+120k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Nikon Z30

 NEX-3 Z30 

Common features in the Nikon Z30 and Sony NEX-3

 Z30 NEX-3 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display sizing3.00"3"Equivalent display measurements

Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z30 has got outside dimensions of 128mm x 74mm x 60mm (5.0" x 2.9" x 2.4") and a weight of 405 grams (0.89 lbs) while the Sony NEX-3 has measurements of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

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Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the Z30 against the NEX-3.

Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the Z30 and NEX-3 is 79 and 89 respectively.

Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizing merely by going over technical specs. The visual below will help give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z30 and NEX-3.

As you have seen, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can anticipate the Nikon Z30 to deliver extra detail having its extra 7 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos a little more aggressively. The more recent Z30 should have an edge in sensor tech.

Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon Z30
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-3
82
manual focus
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
72
manual focus
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z30 Street photography factors
Sony NEX-3 Street photography factors
75
screen articulates fully
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
supports touch to focus
environment proofing
very good high ISO (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (405 grams)
76
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z30 Sports photography details
Sony NEX-3 Sports photography details
77
megapixel count decent (21MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
supports phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
52
decent megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z30 Travel photography features
Sony NEX-3 Travel photography features
79
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
supports touch to focus
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
heavier than competition in class (405g)
59
decent megapixels (14MP)
does not have Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z30 Landscape photography factors
Sony NEX-3 Landscape photography factors
81
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.00 inches)
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no low pass filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
does not have image stabilization
68
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
decent megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z30 Vlogging details
Sony NEX-3 Vlogging details
74
selfie friendly display
built-in touchscreen
supports face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external mic port
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (405 grams)
27
has face detect focus
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone socket
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Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z30 and Sony NEX-3
 Nikon Z30Sony Alpha NEX-3
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Z30 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2022-06-29 2010-06-07
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5568 x 3712 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 51200 12800
Highest boosted ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 209 25
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon Z Sony E
Available lenses 35 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen sizing 3.00 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,040k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 11.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash options Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 405g (0.89 lb) 297g (0.65 lb)
Dimensions 128 x 74 x 60mm (5.0" x 2.9" x 2.4") 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 68
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 830
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 330 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL25 NPFW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage - SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $650 $0