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Sigma DP2 vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
86
Imaging
44
Features
28
Overall
37
Sigma DP2 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54

Sigma DP2 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs

Sigma DP2
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 320 x 240 video
  • 41mm (F) lens
  • 280g - 113 x 60 x 56mm
  • Launched September 2009
  • Newer Model is Sigma DP2s
Sony NEX-3
(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
  • Launched June 2010
  • Updated by Sony NEX-C3
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Sigma DP2 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Sigma DP2 versus Sony NEX-3, one is a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Sigma and Sony. There exists a big gap between the resolutions of the DP2 (5MP) and NEX-3 (14MP) but they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The DP2 was revealed 8 months before the NEX-3 and they are of a similar generation. The two cameras offer different body type with the Sigma DP2 being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short highlight of how the DP2 grades versus the NEX-3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP2 over the Sony NEX-3

 DP2 NEX-3 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Sigma DP2

 NEX-3 DP2 
LaunchedJune 2010September 2009Newer by 8 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Sigma DP2 and Sony NEX-3

 DP2 NEX-3 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Sigma DP2 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Sigma DP2 provides outer measurements of 113mm x 60mm x 56mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 2.2") accompanied by a weight of 280 grams (0.62 lbs) and the Sony NEX-3 has sizing of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

Take a look at the Sigma DP2 versus Sony NEX-3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the DP2 and the NEX-3.

Sigma DP2 vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the DP2 and NEX-3 is 86 and 89 respectively.

Sigma DP2 vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP2 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to envision the difference between sensor dimensions just by reading specs. The picture here should provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the DP2 and NEX-3.

All in all, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Sony NEX-3 to offer you extra detail because of its extra 9MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged DP2 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Sigma DP2 vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP2 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP2 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP2 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Portrait photography camera
56
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
MP count low (5 megapixels)
72
manual focus
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sigma DP2 Street photography information
Sony NEX-3 Street photography information
67
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (280 grams)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
76
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sigma DP2
Sports photography with Sony NEX-3
30
nice sensor size (APS-C)
fixed focal length (41mm)
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
MP count low (5MP)
has no phase detect autofocus
52
megapixel count decent (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP2 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Travel photography camera
67
lighter than competition in class (280g)
built-in flash
very good maximum aperture (f)
MP count low (5MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
59
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP2 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Landscape photography camera
48
you can focus manually
very good maximum aperture (f)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (41mm)
small screen (2.5 inch)
no image stabilization
MP count low (5MP)
68
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP2 Vlogging info
Sony NEX-3 Vlogging info
28
very good maximum aperture (f)
lighter than competition in class (280 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (320 x 240 pxls)
missing microphone port
27
offers face detection focus
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic port
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Sigma DP2 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP2 and Sony NEX-3
 Sigma DP2Sony Alpha NEX-3
General Information
Brand Name Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma DP2 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Category Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2009-09-21 2010-06-07
Body design Large Sensor Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 20.7 x 13.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 285.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 2640 x 1760 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 41mm (1x) -
Number of lenses - 121
Crop factor 1.7 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.5 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.30 m 12.00 m
Flash settings Forced Flash, Red-Eye Reduction, Slow Synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 320x240 1280x720
Video file 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 280g (0.62 lb) 297g (0.65 lb)
Dimensions 113 x 60 x 56mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 2.2") 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 68
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 830
Other
Battery life - 330 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $649 $0