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Samsung NX500 vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
87
Imaging
68
Features
80
Overall
72
Samsung NX500 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54

Samsung NX500 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs

Samsung NX500
(Full Review)
  • 28MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Bump to 51200)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 287g - 120 x 64 x 43mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Succeeded the Samsung NX300
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
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-C3
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Samsung NX500 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Samsung NX500 vs Sony NEX-3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Samsung and Sony. There exists a big gap between the image resolutions of the NX500 (28MP) and NEX-3 (14MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The NX500 was announced 4 years after the NEX-3 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting right into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple summation of how the NX500 scores against the NEX-3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Samsung NX500 over the Sony NEX-3

 NX500 NEX-3 
LaunchedFebruary 2015June 2010Newer by 57 months
Screen resolution1036k920kClearer screen (+116k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Samsung NX500

 NEX-3 NX500 

Common features in the Samsung NX500 and Sony NEX-3

 NX500 NEX-3 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Samsung NX500 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and volume. The Samsung NX500 comes with physical measurements of 120mm x 64mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.5" x 1.7") and a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3 has sizing of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

Take a look at the Samsung NX500 vs Sony NEX-3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the NX500 vs the NEX-3.

Samsung NX500 vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the NX500 and NEX-3 is 87 and 89 respectively.

Samsung NX500 vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX500 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to see the difference between sensor dimensions purely by looking at specs. The picture below might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the NX500 and NEX-3.

All in all, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Samsung NX500 to resolve greater detail with its extra 14 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more recent NX500 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Samsung NX500 vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX500 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX500 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung NX500
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-3
80
you can focus manually
resolution is amazing (28MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
72
has manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung NX500 Street photography info
Sony NEX-3 Street photography info
81
has a tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
offers touch focus
good ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
76
screen tilts
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Samsung NX500 Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-3 Sports photography advice
75
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
resolution is amazing (28MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
52
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX500 Travel photography highlights
Sony NEX-3 Travel photography highlights
78
has bluetooth
offers touch focus
resolution is amazing (28MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
59
resolution is good (14MP)
does not have Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX500 Landscape photography info
Sony NEX-3 Landscape photography info
80
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Samsung NX mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
resolution is amazing (28 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
no low pass filter
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
68
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung NX500
Vlogging with Sony NEX-3
34
touch screen
features face detect autofocus
video res high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
missing microphone jack
27
has face detection focus
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
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Samsung NX500 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX500 and Sony NEX-3
 Samsung NX500Sony Alpha NEX-3
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model Samsung NX500 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2015-02-06 2010-06-07
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by DRIMe 5 Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 28 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6480 x 4320 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 51200 -
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 209 25
Lens
Lens mount Samsung NX Sony E
Number of lenses 32 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,036 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 9.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash modes Smart flash, auto, auto w/redeye reduction, fill flash, fill w/redeye reduction, 1st-curtain, 2nd-curtain, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p), 4096 x 2160 (24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720, 640 x 480 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video data format H.265 MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 287g (0.63 lbs) 297g (0.65 lbs)
Physical dimensions 120 x 64 x 43mm (4.7" x 2.5" x 1.7") 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 87 68
DXO Color Depth score 24.8 22.1
DXO Dynamic range score 13.9 12.0
DXO Low light score 1379 830
Other
Battery life 370 photos 330 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP1130 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 - 30 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $800 $0