Panasonic FX48 vs Sony NEX-3
95 Imaging
34 Features
21 Overall
28
89 Imaging
53 Features
55 Overall
53
Panasonic FX48 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 150g - 95 x 53 x 22mm
- Released January 2009
- Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FX40
(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
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Let's look more in depth at the Panasonic FX48 vs Sony NEX-3, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FX48 (12MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is fairly comparable but the FX48 (1/2.3") and NEX-3 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizes.
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoThe FX48 was launched 16 months prior to the NEX-3 making them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FX48 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before going straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a short summation of how the FX48 grades versus the NEX-3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 & Sony Alpha NEX-3. The complete galleries are available at Panasonic FX48 Gallery & Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FX48 over the Sony NEX-3
| FX48 | NEX-3 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Panasonic FX48
| NEX-3 | FX48 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | June 2010 | January 2009 | Newer by 16 months | |
| Focus manually | Dial exact focusing | |||
| Display type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting display | |
| Display size | 3" | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") | |
| Display resolution | 920k | 230k | Sharper display (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic FX48 and Sony NEX-3
| FX48 | NEX-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selfie screen | Neither includes selfie screen | |||
| Touch display | Neither includes Touch display |
Panasonic FX48 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FX48 features outer dimensions of 95mm x 53mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") along with a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3 has proportions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Examine the Panasonic FX48 vs Sony NEX-3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the FX48 compared to the NEX-3.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FX48 and NEX-3 is 95 and 89 respectively.
Panasonic FX48 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very difficult to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by going through technical specs. The image here might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the FX48 and NEX-3.
As you have seen, both of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The FX48 due to its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field more challenging and the Sony NEX-3 will produce greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more aged FX48 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.
Panasonic FX48 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder
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Panasonic FX48 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Panasonic | Sony |
| Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
| Also Known as | Lumix DMC-FX40 | - |
| Category | Small Sensor Compact | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Released | 2009-01-27 | 2010-06-07 |
| Body design | Compact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | - | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 365.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Peak resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Highest native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
| Highest enhanced ISO | 6400 | - |
| Lowest native ISO | 80 | 200 |
| RAW pictures | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | 11 | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | fixed lens | Sony E |
| Lens focal range | 25-125mm (5.0x) | - |
| Maximal aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | - |
| Macro focus range | 5cm | - |
| Amount of lenses | - | 121 |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Screen diagonal | 2.5 inch | 3 inch |
| Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 920k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch functionality | ||
| Screen technology | - | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/3000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Continuous shutter speed | 2.0fps | 7.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | 6.00 m | 12.00 m |
| Flash options | 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 | ||
| Fastest flash sync | - | 1/160 seconds |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
| Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
| Mic jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| 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 seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 150 grams (0.33 lb) | 297 grams (0.65 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 95 x 53 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | not tested | 68 |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.1 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.0 |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | 830 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | - | 330 photos |
| Battery form | - | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | - | NPFW50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Storage slots | One | One |
| Cost at release | $325 | $0 |