Olympus E-M5 vs Sony NEX-3N

Following is a comprehensive analysis of the Olympus E-M5 vs Sony NEX-3N, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-M5 (16MP) and the NEX-3N (16MP) is very close but the E-M5 (Four Thirds) and NEX-3N (APS-C) come with different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The E-M5 was launched 10 months prior to the NEX-3N which means that they are of a similar generation. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-3N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving through a more detailed comparison, below is a short highlight of how the E-M5 grades versus the NEX-3N with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus OM-D E-M5 and Sony Alpha NEX-3N. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus E-M5 Gallery and Sony NEX-3N Gallery.

When you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M5 has physical dimensions of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") with a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs) while the Sony NEX-3N has proportions of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

See the Olympus E-M5 vs Sony NEX-3N in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the E-M5 against the NEX-3N.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 and NEX-3N is 81 and 89 respectively.

More often than not, it is hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizes simply by researching specs. The pic here may give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M5 and NEX-3N.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras enjoy the same exact megapixel count but different sensor sizes. The E-M5 has the smaller sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower DOF tougher. The more aged E-M5 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.