Samsung MV800 vs Sony NEX-3N

On this page, we are reviewing the Samsung MV800 and Sony NEX-3N, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Samsung and Sony. The sensor resolution of the MV800 (16MP) and the NEX-3N (16MP) is fairly well matched but the MV800 (1/2.3") and NEX-3N (APS-C) offer totally different sensor size.

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The MV800 was announced 18 months before the NEX-3N making them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Samsung MV800 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-3N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight to a complete comparison, here is a concise summary of how the MV800 matches up versus the NEX-3N in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Samsung MV800 & Sony Alpha NEX-3N. The whole galleries are viewable at Samsung MV800 Gallery & Sony NEX-3N Gallery.

For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera often, you have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Samsung MV800 has external measurements of 92mm x 56mm x 10mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.4") with a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs) and the Sony NEX-3N has dimensions of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Take a look at the Samsung MV800 and Sony NEX-3N in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the MV800 compared to the NEX-3N.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the MV800 and NEX-3N is 97 and 89 respectively.

Usually, it is tough to envision the gap between sensor sizes purely by reading through specifications. The image underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the MV800 and NEX-3N.

To sum up, both the cameras have the same MP but not the same sensor sizes. The MV800 contains the tinier sensor which is going to make achieving shallow DOF harder. The more aged MV800 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.