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Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-3N

Portability
79
Imaging
70
Features
84
Overall
75
Nikon Z30 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
52
Overall
55

Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-3N Key Specs

Nikon Z30
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 405g - 128 x 74 x 60mm
  • Announced June 2022
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
  • Revealed February 2013
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-F3
  • Updated by Sony a5000
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Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-3N Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Nikon Z30 versus Sony NEX-3N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. There is a significant difference among the sensor resolutions of the Z30 (21MP) and NEX-3N (16MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor size (APS-C).

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The Z30 was launched 9 years later than the NEX-3N and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Nikon Z30 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-3N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving into a full comparison, here is a simple overview of how the Z30 grades versus the NEX-3N in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z30 over the Sony NEX-3N

 Z30 NEX-3N 
RevealedJune 2022February 2013More recent by 114 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1040k460kClearer screen (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Nikon Z30

 NEX-3N Z30 

Common features in the Nikon Z30 and Sony NEX-3N

 Z30 NEX-3N 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Screen dimensions3.00"3"Equal screen size

Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-3N Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and size. The Nikon Z30 enjoys outside measurements of 128mm x 74mm x 60mm (5.0" x 2.9" x 2.4") having a weight of 405 grams (0.89 lbs) and the Sony NEX-3N has specifications of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Look at the Nikon Z30 versus Sony NEX-3N in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the Z30 compared to the NEX-3N.

Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-3N size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the Z30 and NEX-3N is 79 and 89 respectively.

Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-3N top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-3N Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to envision the difference in sensor measurements simply by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph here might provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the Z30 and NEX-3N.

Clearly, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Nikon Z30 to provide extra detail utilizing its extra 5 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots more aggressively. The younger Z30 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-3N sensor size comparison

Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z30 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Portrait photography camera
82
manual focus
resolution is good (21MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
66
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
external flash not possible
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z30 Street photography information
Sony NEX-3N Street photography information
75
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
provides focus by touch
environment sealing
above average ISO range (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
heavier than average in class (405g)
77
tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z30 Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-3N Sports photography advice
76
resolution is good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
53
megapixel count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great battery (480 per charge)
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z30 Travel photography details
Sony NEX-3N Travel photography details
78
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
provides focus by touch
resolution is good (21MP)
selfie friendly display
heavier than average in class (405 grams)
71
great battery (480 shots)
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z30 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Landscape photography camera
80
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
good sized screen (3.00 inches)
resolution is good (21MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
does not have image stabilization
70
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
great battery (480 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon Z30
Vlogging with Sony NEX-3N
74
selfie friendly display
has touchscreen
features face detection focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have external mic socket
does not have image stabilization
heavier than average in class (405 grams)
28
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have mic support
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Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z30 and Sony NEX-3N
 Nikon Z30Sony Alpha NEX-3N
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Z30 Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2022-06-29 2013-02-25
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5568 x 3712 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 51200 16000
Highest boosted ISO 204800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 209 25
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z Sony E
Available lenses 35 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display sizing 3.00 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,040 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 11.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash -
Flash settings Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, off -
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
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 1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 405 gr (0.89 lb) 269 gr (0.59 lb)
Physical dimensions 128 x 74 x 60mm (5.0" x 2.9" x 2.4") 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 74
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 1067
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 480 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL25 NPFW50
Self timer Yes -
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage - SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $650 $399