Panasonic XS1 vs Sony NEX-3

Lets take a closer look at the Panasonic XS1 vs Sony NEX-3, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the XS1 (16MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is very comparable but the XS1 (1/2.3") and NEX-3 (APS-C) offer different sensor sizing.

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The XS1 was manufactured 2 years after the NEX-3 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic XS1 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a complete comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the XS1 scores versus the NEX-3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 & Sony Alpha NEX-3. The entire galleries are available at Panasonic XS1 Gallery & Sony NEX-3 Gallery.

When you are intending to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic XS1 features physical dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") having a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3 has dimensions 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 XS1 vs Sony NEX-3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the XS1 versus the NEX-3.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the XS1 and NEX-3 is 97 and 89 respectively.

In many cases, it can be difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizes purely by checking out technical specs. The picture underneath will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the XS1 and NEX-3.

As you have seen, each of the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The XS1 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Panasonic XS1 will show extra detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos way more aggressively. The more recent XS1 provides an edge with regard to sensor technology.