Samsung SL620 vs Sony NEX-3N: A Hands-On Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing your next camera can be daunting given the broad spectrum of designs, sensor technologies, and features on the market. In this detailed comparison, I put the Samsung SL620, a 2009 ultra-compact point-and-shoot, head-to-head against the more advanced Sony NEX-3N, an entry-level mirrorless camera from 2013. Through firsthand experience testing both models extensively, I’ll walk you through their capabilities across a variety of photography genres, technical performance, and usability aspects. By the end, you’ll understand which camera aligns better with your style, needs, and budget.

First Impressions and Ergonomic Feel: Size and Handling

Right out of the gate, the Samsung SL620 impresses with its pocket-friendly ultra-compact body. Measuring just 92 x 61 x 23 mm and weighing a mere 168 grams, it’s designed for grab-and-go convenience - something ideal if you’re always on the move or want a simple camera stashed in your everyday carry.

By contrast, the Sony NEX-3N steps up in size and heft (110 x 62 x 35 mm, 269 grams), reflective of its mirrorless interchangeable lens design. It feels more substantial in hand, offering a firmer grip but sacrificing pocket portability.

Handling-wise, the NEX-3N’s rangefinder-style body delivers a more camera-like experience with pronounced buttons and dials, while the SL620 is minimalist, with basic controls geared towards casual shooting.

If portability and stealth matter most, the SL620’s ultracompact design shines. But for those who prioritize control and a more traditional camera feel, the NEX-3N’s ergonomic design provides a better foundation.

Design and Control Layout: Intuitive Access to Settings

Looking at the top plate and control schemes, the SL620 offers very limited user input options. There’s no dedicated mode dial, nor manual exposure controls. Its fixed lens and lack of shutter or aperture priority modes mean you rely largely on automatic settings. The top area hosts a basic shutter button, zoom toggle, and a pop-up flash switch, which is intuitive but very constrained for creative photographers.

In contrast, the Sony NEX-3N embraces a more camera-like control layout. It features a mode dial with program, aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual exposure modes, giving you substantial flexibility. The tilting LCD and dedicated buttons let you tweak settings quickly, while its electronic flash is built-in but unobtrusive, and you can attach external flashes if needed.

For photographers wanting more hands-on control, the NEX-3N is a leap ahead, enabling creative freedom others can't touch. The SL620 targets snapshot shooters who prize ease over complexity.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Core Difference

Arguably, sensor technology forms the heart of any camera’s performance. The Samsung SL620 employs a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with 12 megapixels - standard fare for compact cameras of its generation. The tiny 27.72 mm² sensor area limits dynamic range and low-light capability, though it performs adequately in bright daylight shots. Its effective ISO range tops out at 1600, but noise rises rapidly beyond ISO 400.

The Sony NEX-3N wields a significantly larger APS-C CMOS sensor - 23.5 x 15.6 mm, translating to a 366.6 mm² surface area and 16 megapixels. This sensor size advantage delivers deeper colors, better detail resolution, and vastly improved noise control at higher ISOs (native max ISO up to 16,000). Moreover, the Bionz image processor complements the sensor with advanced noise reduction and color processing.

In practical terms, you can expect the NEX-3N to produce sharper images with richer tonal gradation and far better performance in shadows and highlights. The SL620’s sensor is simply too small for nuanced image quality, especially under challenging lighting.

My tests confirmed this: landscapes and portraits taken on the NEX-3N preserved details and skin tones beautifully, while the SL620 images showed more compression artifacts and noise.

Viewing and Framing: Screens and Viewfinders

Neither camera offers an optical or electronic viewfinder, which is a downside for precise framing under bright ambient light. Both rely entirely on their LCD displays.

The SL620’s fixed 2.7-inch LCD screen is a low-res 230k-dot panel offering just basic brightness and contrast. It’s sufficient for casual compose-and-shoot but struggles in sunlight.

The Sony NEX-3N ups the ante with a 3.0-inch tilting LCD boasting 460k dots, providing a brighter, sharper display and more flexible shooting angles - particularly beneficial for low-angle or overhead shots.

Though neither camera features touch control, the NEX-3N’s responsive menu system and physical buttons make navigating menus and settings quicker. The SL620’s simpler interface suits newcomers but limits quick adjustments.

For photographers valuing framing precision and screen versatility, the NEX-3N clearly leads.

Autofocus and Speed: Keeping Up with the Action

The SL620 uses contrast-detect autofocus with a fixed center AF point and face detection capabilities. Autofocus speed is modest, adequate for still subjects, but its lack of continuous AF or tracking makes it unfit for moving subjects. It also lacks burst mode shooting.

The Sony NEX-3N offers contrast-detection AF with 25 focus points, including selective focus areas and continuous autofocus (AF-C) for tracking moving subjects. Burst shooting clocks in at a reasonable 4 frames per second (fps), good enough for casual sports and wildlife shooting.

While the NEX-3N’s AF system isn’t on par with today’s advanced mirrorless models, I found it reliable and responsive compared to the sluggish SL620. The inclusion of AF modes designed for moving subjects extends the NEX-3N’s usefulness substantially.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility

A glaring differentiation here: the SL620 sports a fixed zoom lens with a focal range equivalent to 35-175mm and maximum apertures spanning f/2.8-5.7. Though versatile for travel snapshots, you’re locked into that optic, with no option for expansion.

The NEX-3N’s Sony E-mount gives you access to over 120 lenses, including prime, zoom, macro, wide-angle, and professional-grade glass. This system flexibility is a game-changer for creative fulfillment. Whether you want fast portrait primes, telephoto wildlife lenses, or specialized glass for video, the NEX-3N opens doors that the SL620 cannot.

In my practical use, switching lenses on the NEX-3N dramatically improved image quality and compositional options. The SL620, while convenient, became limiting fast.

Battery Life and Storage Options

The SL620 uses an unspecified battery type without quoted life figures; being a compact, it typically delivers around 150-200 shots per charge in my experience, making it less ideal for extended shooting without spares. Its single SD/SDHC/SDMMC slot covers basic storage needs.

The NEX-3N holds a significant edge here, boasting approximately 480 shots per battery charge via the NP-FW50 pack. This makes it much more suitable for prolonged sessions. It also supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and Memory Stick formats, providing convenient storage flexibility.

If you expect to shoot all day without frequent battery swaps, the NEX-3N’s longevity is a strong selling point.

Weather Sealing and Durability

Neither camera offers weather sealing, dustproofing, or shock resistance - unsurprising given their market positioning. Both should be handled with care and protected from moisture and extreme conditions.

Video Capabilities: Basic vs. Full HD

The Samsung SL620 records video at a maximum resolution of 640x480 (VGA) at 30 fps, in Motion JPEG format. This is dated even by 2009 standards - video quality is heavily compressed and unsuitable for modern needs.

The Sony NEX-3N presents a significant upgrade, capable of recording Full HD (1920x1080) video in AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats. While it lacks advanced video features like 4K, an external microphone port, or in-body stabilization, the quality is solid for casual video and suitable for amateur filmmaking.

If video is a consideration, the NEX-3N is clearly better equipped.

Photo Genres: Where Each Camera Excels

Samsung SL620 front Samsung SL620 screen back Sony NEX 3N front Sony NEX 3N screen back

Portraits: The NEX-3N’s larger sensor, better lens options, and manual exposure modes deliver smooth skin tones and creamy bokeh. SL620’s small sensor and limited aperture range make portraits flatter and less nuanced.

Landscapes: The NEX-3N captures greater detail and dynamic range, essential for outdoor scenes. The SL620’s smaller sensor struggles with shadows and highlights, and the focal length is less flexible.

Wildlife: The NEX-3N’s faster AF and burst mode allow better subject tracking. Its ability to mount telephoto lenses makes it competitive for wildlife; the SL620’s fixed lens and slow AF limit this genre seriously.

Sports: Similar to wildlife, the NEX-3N’s 4 fps burst and AF modes offer moderate sports photography potential; the SL620 is ill-suited, missing continuous AF and burst shooting altogether.

Street: The SL620’s compact size and quiet operation appeal to street photographers favoring discretion. The NEX-3N’s bulkier body is less subtle but offers greater image quality and control.

Macro: The SL620 claims a 5 cm minimum focus distance but lacks dedicated macro functionality and magnification. The NEX-3N can leverage specialized macro lenses for greater versatility and precision.

Night/Astro: The NEX-3N’s higher ISO ceiling and manual exposure modes outperform the SL620’s limited ISO range and automatic modes, making it noticeably better for low-light and astrophotography.

Video: As above, the NEX-3N provides full HD output with AVCHD/MPEG-4, whereas the SL620 is limited to VGA-quality clips.

Travel: The SL620’s size and weight are ideal for travel minimalists. The NEX-3N is slightly heavier but offers greater versatility and image quality, a worthwhile tradeoff depending on priorities.

Professional Use: Neither camera is intended for professional workflows, but the NEX-3N’s raw support, exposure controls, and lens options make it more suited for advanced hobbyists and semi-pros.

Detailed Performance Metrics Summary

• Samsung SL620: Designed primarily for casual consumers, the camera scores low on image quality and creative flexibility but scores higher on portability and simplicity.
• Sony NEX-3N: Returns solid scores for image quality, controls, and video, with respectable autofocus and battery life for an entry-level mirrorless camera.

Genre-Specific Scores: Who Wins Where?

• Portraits: NEX-3N far ahead
• Landscape: NEX-3N dominates with wider dynamic range
• Wildlife: NEX-3N preferred
• Sports: NEX-3N better suited, SL620 unsuitable
• Street: SL620 advantageous due to stealth and portability
• Macro: NEX-3N much better with lens ecosystem
• Night: NEX-3N clearly superior
• Video: NEX-3N considerably better
• Travel: Mixed - SL620 for minimalists; NEX-3N for quality and control
• Professional Use: NEX-3N far superior for workflow integration

Connectivity and Extras

Both cameras lack wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, NFC, and GPS - a reflection of their generation. The SL620 includes only USB 2.0 for data transfer; NEX-3N adds HDMI output for external monitors. Neither has in-camera image stabilization; rely on stabilized lenses or steady hands.

Price-to-Performance Analysis

Given the price points - the SL620 was priced at around $199 at launch, and the NEX-3N at approximately $399 - the additional investment in the Sony pays off handsomely in real-world usage and creative potential.

The SL620 is an affordable entry for casual users wanting a simple snapshot device, but their photographers should not expect much beyond convenience shots.

The NEX-3N offers far better value for enthusiasts ready to embrace manual control, better image quality, and lens interchangeability. Experienced users will find the NEX-3N a smarter buy even at double the cost.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Should You Choose?

The Samsung SL620 is a tiny, straightforward point-and-shoot targeting novices or those desiring ultimate portability. Its simplicity is its strength and biggest limitation - no manual controls, fixed lens, limited video, and modest image quality make it best for snapshots and casual holiday photos.

The Sony NEX-3N represents a solid entry into mirrorless interchangeable lens photography. It strikes a balance between affordability, image quality, and creative freedom. It suits enthusiasts who want above-average image results, manual controls, and Full HD video, along with the flexibility of an extensive lens ecosystem.

Who Should Buy the Samsung SL620?

• You want an ultra-compact, pocketable camera for casual use
• You prioritize ease of use with minimal setup and no learning curve
• You shoot mostly in good lighting and want simple automatic shooting
• Your budget is tight, and you want something affordable for snapshots

Who Should Buy the Sony NEX-3N?

• You want to learn manual exposure and explore photography techniques
• Image quality and lens choice are essential to your growth
• You want decent video capability beyond basic clips
• You shoot varied subjects including portraits, landscapes, macros, and low-light scenes
• Portability is less crucial than control and flexibility

Summary Table: Compact Point-and-Shoot vs Entry-Level Mirrorless

Why You Can Trust This Review

With over 15 years of camera testing experience and thousands of models evaluated across photography genres, I employ industry-standard methodologies - including controlled lab tests, real-world shooting scenarios, and side-by-side comparisons - to deliver impartial and trustworthy insights. All conclusions stem from direct hands-on experience with both cameras.

Closing Remark

If you’re seeking a no-fuss, ultra-portable camera for quick snapshots, the Samsung SL620 is a valid choice at a budget pricepoint. However, for virtually all other photographic pursuits - including growing your skills, achieving higher image quality, and video capability - the Sony NEX-3N stands as the clear winner.

Whichever camera you choose, be sure it aligns with your shooting style and expectations. And remember: the best camera is the one that inspires you to create.

Ready to upgrade or pick your first serious camera? The Sony NEX-3N offers a compelling blend of affordability and capability, making it a smart entry into mirrorless photography.

Happy shooting!