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Nikon Z7 II vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
92
Overall
85
Nikon Z7 Mark II front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs

Nikon Z7 II
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Boost to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 705g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released October 2020
  • Superseded the Nikon Z7
Sony NEX-3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Successor is Sony NEX-C3
Photography Glossary

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony NEX-3 Overview

Following is a comprehensive comparison of the Nikon Z7 II and Sony NEX-3, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Nikon and Sony. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the Z7 II (46MP) and NEX-3 (14MP) and the Z7 II (Full frame) and NEX-3 (APS-C) come with different sensor dimensions.

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The Z7 II was manufactured 10 years after the NEX-3 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Nikon Z7 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the Z7 II matches up versus the NEX-3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z7 II over the Sony NEX-3

 Z7 II NEX-3 
IntroducedOctober 2020June 2010More modern by 127 months
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k920kCrisper screen (+1180k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Nikon Z7 II

 NEX-3 Z7 II 

Common features in the Nikon Z7 II and Sony NEX-3

 Z7 II NEX-3 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon Z7 II offers physical measurements of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") along with a weight of 705 grams (1.55 lbs) while the Sony NEX-3 has proportions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon Z7 II and Sony NEX-3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the Z7 II compared to the NEX-3.

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the Z7 II and NEX-3 is 61 and 89 respectively.

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to picture the difference between sensor sizes purely by reading a spec sheet. The image underneath should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the Z7 II and NEX-3.

Clearly, both of those cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The Z7 II featuring a bigger sensor is going to make getting bokeh easier and the Nikon Z7 II will offer more detail due to its extra 32 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots much more aggressively. The newer Z7 II provides an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z7 II Portrait photography info
Sony NEX-3 Portrait photography info
88
manual focus
excellent sensor resolution (46MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW files
72
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z7 II as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Street photography camera
79
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW files
provides focus via touch
environment proof
good ISO range (25,600)
76
tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z7 II as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Sports photography camera
90
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent sensor resolution (46 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features tracking focus
environment proof
comes with phase detect AF
52
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z7 II Travel photography advice
Sony NEX-3 Travel photography advice
72
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
provides focus via touch
excellent sensor resolution (46 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
59
megapixel count good (14MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z7 II Landscape photography advice
Sony NEX-3 Landscape photography advice
88
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is decent (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent sensor resolution (46 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment proof
has dual storage slots
68
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z7 II as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Vlogging camera
36
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have microphone jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
27
supports face detect focusing
does not have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic socket
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Nikon Z7 II vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z7 II and Sony NEX-3
 Nikon Z7 Mark IISony Alpha NEX-3
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Z7 Mark II Sony Alpha NEX-3
Class Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2020-10-14 2010-06-07
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 46 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 8256 x 5504 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 102400 -
Lowest native ISO 64 200
RAW pictures
Lowest enhanced ISO 32 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 493 25
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z Sony E
Available lenses 15 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display size 3.2" 3"
Resolution of display 2,100 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,690 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash modes Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 144 Mbps, 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
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 705 grams (1.55 lbs) 297 grams (0.65 lbs)
Dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 420 images 330 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage CFexpress (Type B), XQD, SD (UHS-II) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Dual 1
Retail cost $2,997 $0