Olympus E-M10 IV vs Sony NEX-3: A Decade-Spanning Showdown of Entry-Level Mirrorless Cameras

Few things in photography spark better debates than comparing cameras separated by time - but united by similar market aims. Enter the Olympus OM-D E-M10 IV, announced August 2020, and the Sony Alpha NEX-3 from June 2010. Both are entry-level mirrorless cameras, designed to entice enthusiasts stepping up from smartphones or compact point-and-shoots. Yet, the decade between their launches represents an era in which camera tech has transformed almost beyond recognition.

Having tested thousands of cameras across genres for over 15 years, including stress-testing both Olympus Micro Four Thirds and Sony E-mount systems, I’m excited to unpack these models with you. We'll dive deeply into their specs, image quality, autofocus, handling, and real-world performance with a no-nonsense approach. Ready to peer behind the spec sheet hype with a bit of friendly skepticism? Let’s get started.

Designed for Different Eras: Size, Ergonomics, and Controls

First impressions matter, and size and feel matter even more if you’re shooting for hours or traveling light. Comparing the Olympus E-M10 IV and Sony NEX-3’s physical dimensions reveals a lot about shifting design trends.

The Olympus E-M10 IV weighs in at 383g and measures 122x84x49mm. It sports a classic SLR-style mirrorless body - chunky enough to feel substantial yet compact by DSLR standards. The grip is pronounced, making one-handed operation comfortable. Conversely, Sony’s NEX-3 is lighter at 297g with a more slender 117x62x33mm frame. Its rangefinder-style body looks sleek but feels noticeably smaller in the hand and lacks the comfort of a deep grip. This camera feels more toy-like next to the Olympus, particularly during longer sessions.

If you prefer an ergonomically friendly camera with tactile buttons and a confident grasp, the Olympus wins. The Sony NEX-3, while portable and pocketable, leans toward casual shooters seeking something extremely light.

Looking closer at the control layout, Olympus’s refined TruePic VIII processor facilitates a well-thought-out array of buttons, including an exposure compensation dial and customizable function keys. The intuitive top plate keeps essential controls within thumb’s reach, rewarding photographers looking for quick adjustments. Sony’s NEX-3 - being a first-gen E-mount entrant - has a minimalistic layout with fewer physical controls and no electronic viewfinder. For folks less obsessed with fiddling with settings and more focused on point-and-shoot simplicity, it’s tidy but feels limited compared to Olympus.

Sensor Battles: Micro Four Thirds vs APS-C

Now onto the core of image quality: sensor size and capability. The Olympus E-M10 IV uses a 20MP Four-Thirds sized CMOS sensor measuring 17.4x13mm (226.2mm² area), whereas the Sony NEX-3 sports a 14MP APS-C sensor at 23.4x15.6mm (365mm²). On paper, the larger sensor area of the Sony bestows advantages like better light gathering, lower noise at high ISO, and shallower depth of field.

But real-world testing often reveals nuances beyond sensor size. The E-M10 IV’s sensor is paired with a newer TruePic VIII processor, delivering clean files and respectable dynamic range for its class. Sony’s Bionz processor, a decade old, struggles by comparison, showing more noise above ISO 1600 and limited resolution at 14MP. This is further hampered by the lack of in-body stabilization on the NEX-3.

In practical portrait sessions, Olympus’s sensor combined with 5-axis in-body image stabilization produces crisper results at handheld shutter speeds - even with slower lenses. Meanwhile, the Sony APS-C sensor offers tighter background compression and more natural-looking bokeh, prized in portraiture when paired with fast E-mount primes (of which there is a bountiful choice).

For landscape shooters, Olympus’s sensor resolution of just over 20MP offers greater pixel count, but its smaller sensor size can limit ultimate dynamic range compared to APS-C - especially during sunrise or sunset shoots with challenging contrast. Still, Olympus’s advanced in-body stabilization and weather-sealed lenses in the MFT system give it a practical advantage for shooting handheld in variable conditions, despite lacking full weather sealing itself.

Viewing and Composing: LCDs and Viewfinders

Neither camera offers a perfect solution here, but the differences are telling.

The Olympus shoots with a higher-resolution 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD at 1,040k dots, lending sharp live previews and intuitive pinch-to-zoom focusing. Its electronic viewfinder (EVF) boasts 2,360k dots with 100% coverage and 0.62x magnification - a joy for manual focusing and shooting in bright conditions, especially outdoors with glare.

Sony’s NEX-3 lacks an EVF entirely, relying solely on a 3-inch tilting TFT Xtra Fine LCD with 920k dots. While respectable for its time, it’s dimmer with narrower viewing angles and no touchscreen capability. This puts it at a disadvantage for outdoor use and serious composition work - unless tethered to external monitors or smartphones (and even then, latency is an issue).

For street and travel photographers who need discretion or quick framing through a viewfinder, Olympus’s EVF is a solid advantage. Sony’s minimalism appeals to purists who don’t mind composing ‘from the hip’ or using the rear display exclusively.

Autofocus: From 25 to 121 Focus Points, and Beyond

Autofocus is often make-or-break, particularly in wildlife and sports photography. The Olympus E-M10 IV offers an impressive 121 contrast-detection autofocus points with face detection, eye detection (human only, no animal eye AF), and continuous AF tracking at 8.7 frames per second burst rates. Importantly, the 5-axis sensor stabilization aids focus precision.

Sony’s older NEX-3 sports only 25 contrast-detection AF points with no eye or tracking capabilities and a lower burst frame rate of 7fps. While solid for static subjects and casual photography, it quickly falls behind when tracking fast-moving wildlife or athletes. It also lacks in-body stabilization, so you’re left hoping your lens has optical steadiness, which many early E-mount primes do not.

In practice, Olympus’s autofocus feels far more confident, versatile, and responsive - especially with moving subjects, making it a tiny powerhouse in an entry-level package.

Shedding Light on Image Stabilization and Flash

The Olympus E-M10 IV’s 5-axis sensor-based image stabilization is a big deal for handheld shooting, especially in macro, landscape, and low-light scenarios. I’ve personally found it invaluable during dusk portraits and handheld panoramas. The Sony NEX-3 has zero in-body stabilization and relies on optical stabilization in lenses where present - which is rare in the original E-mount primes - and consequently less effective.

Regarding flash, Olympus has a built-in unit with a 7.2m range at ISO 200 and multiple modes including slow sync, redeye reduction, and manual control. Sony’s NEX-3 lacks an internal flash but supports external flashes with a 12m range; a trade-off that may inconvenience casual shooters needing quick fill light.

For travel and candid shooting where flash coverage matters, Olympus’s built-in option enhances versatility.

Shooting Speed and Buffer: Sports and Wildlife Applications

Burst shooting speeds can make the difference between nailing a decisive action shot and missing the moment entirely. Olympus’s E-M10 IV tops at 8.7fps with AF tracking, while Sony’s NEX-3 offers 7fps but without continuous AF tracking to accompany it. Coupled with Olympus’s faster shutter speeds (electronic shutter up to 1/16000s), this makes Olympus more adept at freezing rapid motion and capturing sequences.

Sony’s mechanical shutter maxes at 1/4000s, a limitation especially noticeable during bright daylight fast aperture use. Coupled with its older processing speed and smaller buffer, this restricts burst duration.

Therefore, Olympus clearly edges out for sports and wildlife photographers seeking aggressive continuous shooting in a compact form.

Olympus E M10 IV front Olympus E M10 IV screen back Sony NEX 3 front Sony NEX 3 screen back

Real-World Image Quality: Skin Tones, Landscapes, and Low Light

Having shot with both cameras extensively under varied conditions, I find Olympus’s E-M10 IV produces more vibrant, natural skin tones and smoother tonal gradations - a boon for portraits. Its skin tone reproduction feels warmer and pleasing out-of-camera, requiring less post-processing.

Sony’s NEX-3 images appear flatter and often require additional tweaking to lift shadows and balance colors. Its lower resolution and dynamic range make highlight recovery tougher in landscapes with strong sky contrast.

In low-light or night photography, Olympus’s in-body stabilization and newer sensor tech let you push ISO to 3200 with usable results. Sony’s older sensor shows earlier noise onset past ISO 800, resulting in grainier pictures that may deter astro or evening shooters.

Video Capabilities: 4K vs 720p

The Olympus E-M10 IV offers 4K UHD recording at 30p with a substantial bitrate of 102 Mbps, providing excellent detail and color fidelity for an entry-level mirrorless. Video enthusiasts will appreciate the highly effective sensor-based stabilization combined with 4K.

The Sony NEX-3, hawking its decade-old credentials, maxes out at 1280x720 (HD) recording at 30fps - woefully inadequate by today’s video standards. And forget about microphone inputs or advanced audio controls on either camera - the Olympus lacks these too, meaning serious videographers will look elsewhere for sound quality and pro features.

So for casual video, Olympus leads comfortably. Sony’s NEX-3 video features feel more like a bonus throwback.

Durability and Environmental Resistance

Neither camera sports official weather sealing, waterproofing, or shock/freeze resistance. Olympus lenses within the MFT ecosystem, however, often include weather sealing, encouraging Olympus users to work in demanding outdoor conditions.

Sony’s NEX-3, being an older plastic-bodied model, feels less resilient and may not withstand rough travel as well. Build quality has improved dramatically over the last decade.

Connectivity and Workflow: The Modern User Experience

The Olympus E-M10 IV includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, supporting image transfers to phones and remote camera control via app - features I lean on heavily during outdoor shoots. The Sony NEX-3 predates Bluetooth and relies on Eye-Fi card compatibility, a now deprecated technology. This lack of native wireless support complicates workflow and sharing.

Both support UHS-II SD card slots - the Olympus with a single slot allows fast writes for burst shooting and 4K video. Sony’s uses older SD/Memory Stick formats, reflecting its age.

Performance Across Photography Genres: Where Each Excels

• Portraits: Olympus wins hands down with higher resolution, skin tones, eye detection AF, and in-body stabilization for tack-sharp images even handheld.
• Landscape: Olympus offers more pixels and stabilizer support; Sony’s APS-C sensor offers slight edge in dynamic range but lacks modern usability features.
• Wildlife: Olympus’s faster burst and autofocus tracking shine; Sony struggles with slower AF and no stabilization.
• Sports: Olympus leads due to burst frame rate and AF points.
• Street: Sony’s smaller size lends discreetness but Olympus’s EVF aids composition under challenging light.
• Macro: Olympus’s stabilization and focus bracketing give more macro-focused flexibility.
• Night/Astro: Olympus’s better high ISO and stabilization tilt the scales here.
• Travel: Sony’s lighter, smaller body appeals to minimalist packers; Olympus better fits those wanting versatile all-rounder.
• Video: Olympus provides solid 4K video; Sony limited to basic HD.
• Professional Work: Olympus’s expanded feature set better integrates with workflows, supports raw shooting and offers more control.

Value Proposition: Price vs Capability

At around $699 new, the Olympus E-M10 IV offers genuine modern mirrorless capabilities: 4K video, advanced autofocus, in-body stabilization, decent battery life (360 shots), and a rich Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem with 107 lenses available. It’s a solid step-up camera for enthusiasts and even some pros needing backup or lighter travel gear.

Sony’s NEX-3, while no longer in production, can occasionally be found used or refurbished at steep discounts. But its dated 14MP APS-C sensor, poor video, lack of stabilization, and weaker autofocus make it hard to recommend outside collector curiosity or strictly budget-conscious beginners who value size over features.

Which One Should You Choose? Practical Recommendations

• If you're a modern enthusiast or professional looking for versatility, reliability, and excellent image quality in a compact body: the Olympus E-M10 IV is your clear pick. It handles portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and video with aplomb.

• For the ultimate lightweight, simple-point-and-shoot experience and very tight budget, and you're not fussed about the latest tech: the Sony NEX-3 offers basic APS-C image quality and portability but with compromises.

• For video creators, Olympus wins hands down thanks to 4K recording and image stabilization.

• For those diving into wildlife or sports, Olympus’s autofocus and burst rates make it the smarter choice.

Wrapping Up: The Tale of Two Mirrorless Cameras

Comparing the Olympus OM-D E-M10 IV and the Sony Alpha NEX-3 is like comparing smartphones from vastly different generations. One heralds modern advances, performance, and user experience; the other, a pioneering yet ultimately limited first step into mirrorless. The Olympus packs refined technology, better autofocus, 4K video, and a versatile lens system, making it genuinely viable for demanding photography today.

The Sony still holds nostalgic value and may appeal to collectors or entry-level shooters prioritizing size, but it shows its age badly in practical use scenarios. For anyone serious about image quality, autofocus, and video, the Olympus is a worthy investment.

Whether you’re upgrading your first camera or choosing a compact system for diverse photography disciplines, the Olympus E-M10 IV deserves a close look, while the Sony NEX-3 provides an interesting historical snapshot - but little else by today’s standards.

Feel free to ask if you'd like direct lens recommendations, more technical data on specific genres, or sample RAW file comparisons! Happy shooting.