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Nikon Z5 vs Sony NEX-3N

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
52
Overall
55

Nikon Z5 vs Sony NEX-3N Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released July 2020
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
  • Launched February 2013
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-F3
  • Replacement is Sony a5000
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Nikon Z5 vs Sony NEX-3N Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Nikon Z5 versus Sony NEX-3N, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There is a huge difference between the resolutions of the Z5 (24MP) and NEX-3N (16MP) and the Z5 (Full frame) and NEX-3N (APS-C) possess totally different sensor dimensions.

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The Z5 was introduced 7 years after the NEX-3N which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-3N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight into a full comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the Z5 scores vs the NEX-3N with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Sony NEX-3N

 Z5 NEX-3N 
LaunchedJuly 2020February 2013More modern by 91 months
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k460kCrisper screen (+580k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Nikon Z5

 NEX-3N Z5 

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Sony NEX-3N

 Z5 NEX-3N 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Nikon Z5 vs Sony NEX-3N Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera often, you have to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon Z5 enjoys exterior dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") along with a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3N has proportions of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check out the Nikon Z5 versus Sony NEX-3N in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the Z5 compared to the NEX-3N.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony NEX-3N size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the Z5 and NEX-3N is 62 and 89 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony NEX-3N top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Sony NEX-3N Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to see the gap between sensor sizes just by checking technical specs. The image here might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the Z5 and NEX-3N.

As you can tell, both of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The Z5 using its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Nikon Z5 will give you more detail using its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs far more aggressively. The newer Z5 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony NEX-3N sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z5 Portrait photography info
Sony NEX-3N Portrait photography info
85
has manual focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW files
66
focusing manually
decent MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon Z5
Street photography with Sony NEX-3N
74
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
supports focus via touch
environment sealing
great high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than competition in class (675g)
77
has a tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Z5
Sports photography with Sony NEX-3N
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
better than average battery pack (470 per charge)
supports phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.5 frames per second)
53
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery pack (480 per charge)
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z5 Travel photography factors
Sony NEX-3N Travel photography factors
68
better than average battery pack (470 CIPA)
environment sealing
has bluetooth
supports focus via touch
good MP (24 megapixels)
more heavy than competition in class (675 grams)
does not offer selfie friendly display
71
better than average battery pack (480 shots)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse function
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Landscape photography camera
86
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
better than average battery pack (470 per charge)
2 card slots
70
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (480 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
does not have Timelapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 Vlogging info
Sony NEX-3N Vlogging info
34
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with microphone support
does not offer selfie friendly display
more heavy than competition in class (675g)
28
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
does not have microphone socket
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Nikon Z5 vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Sony NEX-3N
 Nikon Z5Sony Alpha NEX-3N
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z5 Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Type Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2020-07-20 2013-02-25
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 6 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6016 x 4016 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 51200 16000
Maximum enhanced ISO 102400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 273 25
Lens
Lens mount Nikon Z Sony E
Total lenses 15 121
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3.2" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,040k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.5fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash -
Flash modes Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off -
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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 @ 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
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 675g (1.49 lb) 269g (0.59 lb)
Dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 470 shots 480 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15c NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) -
Time lapse recording
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Two One
Price at release $1,399 $399