Olympus E-420 vs Sony NEX-3N
77 Imaging
44 Features
36 Overall
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89 Imaging
57 Features
52 Overall
55
Olympus E-420 vs Sony NEX-3N Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600
- No Video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 426g - 130 x 91 x 53mm
- Announced June 2008
- Earlier Model is Olympus E-410
(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
- Introduced February 2013
- Previous Model is Sony NEX-F3
- Successor is Sony a5000

Olympus E-420 vs Sony NEX-3N Overview
The following is a extensive assessment of the Olympus E-420 versus Sony NEX-3N, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Sony. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the E-420 (10MP) and NEX-3N (16MP) and the E-420 (Four Thirds) and NEX-3N (APS-C) possess different sensor size.

The E-420 was revealed 5 years prior to the NEX-3N which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-420 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-3N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before going through a complete comparison, below is a concise overview of how the E-420 grades vs the NEX-3N with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus E-420 vs Sony NEX-3N Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus E-420 and Sony Alpha NEX-3N. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus E-420 Gallery and Sony NEX-3N Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Sony NEX-3N
E-420 | NEX-3N |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Olympus E-420
NEX-3N | E-420 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2013 | ![]() | June 2008 | Newer by 56 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-420 and Sony NEX-3N
E-420 | NEX-3N | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | No Touch screen |
Olympus E-420 vs Sony NEX-3N Physical Comparison
If you're planning to travel with your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-420 offers outer measurements of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") along with a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Sony NEX-3N has dimensions of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus E-420 versus Sony NEX-3N in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the E-420 against the NEX-3N.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-420 and NEX-3N is 77 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-420 vs Sony NEX-3N Sensor Comparison
Often, it's hard to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by looking at specifications. The picture underneath might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-420 and NEX-3N.
Plainly, both of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-420 having a tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh more difficult and the Sony NEX-3N will give you greater detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged E-420 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-420 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications
Olympus E-420 | Sony Alpha NEX-3N | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus E-420 | Sony Alpha NEX-3N |
Class | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2008-06-23 | 2013-02-25 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | TruePic III | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4912 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 16000 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 3 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
Amount of lenses | 45 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 230k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.46x | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 4.0 frames per sec | 4.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | - |
Flash settings | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | - |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/180 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | - | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 426g (0.94 pounds) | 269g (0.59 pounds) |
Dimensions | 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") | 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 56 | 74 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.5 | 22.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.4 | 12.5 |
DXO Low light rating | 527 | 1067 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 500 images | 480 images |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | - |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail price | $999 | $399 |