Olympus SP-100 vs Sony NEX-3

Here is a extended comparison of the Olympus SP-100 vs Sony NEX-3, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SP-100 (16MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is fairly well matched but the SP-100 (1/2.3") and NEX-3 (APS-C) use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SP-100 was released 3 years later than the NEX-3 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SP-100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going in to a detailed comparison, below is a simple summary of how the SP-100 scores vs the NEX-3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus Stylus SP-100 and Sony Alpha NEX-3. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus SP-100 Gallery and Sony NEX-3 Gallery.

When you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus SP-100 has exterior measurements of 122mm x 91mm x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") having a weight of 594 grams (1.31 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3 has measurements of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SP-100 vs Sony NEX-3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the SP-100 and the NEX-3.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SP-100 and NEX-3 is 63 and 89 respectively.

Usually, it's hard to envision the gap between sensor sizing just by reading through specifications. The graphic below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-100 and NEX-3.

Plainly, each of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SP-100 due to its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult and the Olympus SP-100 will give you more detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The newer SP-100 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.