Clicky

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
85
Imaging
37
Features
67
Overall
49
Olympus XZ-2 iHS front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs

Olympus XZ-2 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 346g - 113 x 65 x 48mm
  • Announced December 2012
Sony NEX-3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
  • Released June 2010
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-C3
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony NEX-3 Overview

Below is a in depth comparison of the Olympus XZ-2 iHS versus Sony NEX-3, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the XZ-2 iHS (12MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is fairly close but the XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") and NEX-3 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizes.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The XZ-2 iHS was announced 2 years later than the NEX-3 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus XZ-2 iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick summary of how the XZ-2 iHS scores against the NEX-3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-2 iHS over the Sony NEX-3

 XZ-2 iHS NEX-3 
ReleasedDecember 2012June 2010More recent by 31 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Olympus XZ-2 iHS

 NEX-3 XZ-2 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Sony NEX-3

 XZ-2 iHS NEX-3 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Display resolution920k920kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus XZ-2 iHS offers exterior measurements of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs) while 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).

Compare the Olympus XZ-2 iHS versus Sony NEX-3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the XZ-2 iHS vs the NEX-3.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the XZ-2 iHS and NEX-3 is 85 and 89 respectively.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its difficult to visualise the gap in sensor measurements simply by looking through technical specs. The visual underneath might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the XZ-2 iHS and NEX-3.

As you have seen, both of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The XZ-2 iHS with its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh harder and the Sony NEX-3 will result in greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics way more aggressively. The fresher XZ-2 iHS will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Portrait photography features
Sony NEX-3 Portrait photography features
46
you can focus manually
has face detect focus
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
72
you can focus manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Street photography highlights
Sony NEX-3 Street photography highlights
66
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
heavier than competition (346 grams)
76
screen tilts up and down
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have image stabilization
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Sports photography camera
43
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking focus
good battery (340 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
lacks phase detect auto focus
52
MP count good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect autofocus
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Travel photography camera
61
good battery (340 shots)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (346 grams)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
59
MP count good (14 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly display
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Landscape photography factors
Sony NEX-3 Landscape photography factors
55
you can focus manually
decently wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
good battery (340 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
no Time Lapse recording
68
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
MP count good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have image stabilization
does not have Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Vlogging information
Sony NEX-3 Vlogging information
36
decently wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic socket
display is not selfie friendly
heavier than competition (346 grams)
27
comes with face detection autofocus
does not have a selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone socket
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Sony NEX-3
 Olympus XZ-2 iHSSony Alpha NEX-3
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model Olympus XZ-2 iHS Sony Alpha NEX-3
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2012-12-18 2010-06-07
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" APS-C
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3968 x 2976 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 35 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/1.8-2.5 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Number of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 4.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 920k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate - 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 8.60 m (ISO 800) 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 346 grams (0.76 lbs) 297 grams (0.65 lbs)
Physical dimensions 113 x 65 x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 49 68
DXO Color Depth score 20.4 22.1
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 12.0
DXO Low light score 216 830
Other
Battery life 340 photos 330 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model Li-90B NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $450 $0