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Panasonic 3D1 vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
36
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54

Panasonic 3D1 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs

Panasonic 3D1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.9-5.7) lens
  • 193g - 108 x 58 x 24mm
  • Introduced November 2011
Sony NEX-3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
  • Launched June 2010
  • Later Model is Sony NEX-C3
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Panasonic 3D1 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Panasonic 3D1 and Sony NEX-3, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the 3D1 (12MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is pretty close but the 3D1 (1/2.3") and NEX-3 (APS-C) provide different sensor size.

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The 3D1 was brought out 18 months after the NEX-3 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic 3D1 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the 3D1 matches up versus the NEX-3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic 3D1 over the Sony NEX-3

 3D1 NEX-3 
LaunchedNovember 2011June 2010More modern by 18 months
Screen size3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Panasonic 3D1

 NEX-3 3D1 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k460kClearer screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic 3D1 and Sony NEX-3

 3D1 NEX-3 
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Panasonic 3D1 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic 3D1 features outer measurements of 108mm x 58mm x 24mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 0.9") and a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs) while the Sony NEX-3 has measurements of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

See the Panasonic 3D1 and Sony NEX-3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the 3D1 compared to the NEX-3.

Panasonic 3D1 vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the 3D1 and NEX-3 is 93 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic 3D1 vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic 3D1 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizes only by viewing a spec sheet. The image below might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the 3D1 and NEX-3.

Clearly, each of the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The 3D1 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Sony NEX-3 will render extra detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The younger 3D1 provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic 3D1 vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic 3D1 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic 3D1 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic 3D1 Portrait photography advice
Sony NEX-3 Portrait photography advice
27
offers face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
72
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic 3D1 Street photography highlights
Sony NEX-3 Street photography highlights
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus by touch
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
76
screen tilts up and down
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic 3D1
Sports photography with Sony NEX-3
30
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
no shutter priority
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (200 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
52
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic 3D1 Travel photography info
Sony NEX-3 Travel photography info
59
supports focus by touch
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
not so great battery power (200 shots)
low resolution (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
59
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic 3D1 Landscape photography highlights
Sony NEX-3 Landscape photography highlights
36
decently wide (25mm)
lovely big screen (3.5 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
lack of manual exposure
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
not so great battery power (200 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
68
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic 3D1
Vlogging with Sony NEX-3
34
decently wide (25mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone support
27
comes with face detection focusing
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic socket
Photography Glossary

Panasonic 3D1 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic 3D1 and Sony NEX-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1Sony Alpha NEX-3
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-11-07 2010-06-07
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 23 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.9-5.7 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3.5 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Full Touch Screen with AR coating TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1300 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 193 grams (0.43 lbs) 297 grams (0.65 lbs)
Physical dimensions 108 x 58 x 24mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 0.9") 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 68
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 830
Other
Battery life 200 images 330 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $670 $0