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Sony A3000 vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
54
Overall
59
Sony Alpha A3000 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

Sony A3000 vs Sony NEX-5R Key Specs

Sony A3000
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
  • Launched August 2013
  • Newer Model is Sony a3500
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Released August 2012
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-5N
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-5T
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Sony A3000 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

On this page, we will be matching up the Sony A3000 vs Sony NEX-5R, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras and both are created by Sony. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the A3000 (20MP) and NEX-5R (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The A3000 was introduced 13 months after the NEX-5R which makes them a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Sony A3000 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the A3000 grades against the NEX-5R when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A3000 over the Sony NEX-5R

 A3000 NEX-5R 
ReleasedAugust 2013August 2012More modern by 13 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Sony A3000

 NEX-5R A3000 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony A3000 and Sony NEX-5R

 A3000 NEX-5R 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Sony A3000 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Sony A3000 comes with outside dimensions of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") with a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5R has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Contrast the Sony A3000 vs Sony NEX-5R in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the A3000 versus the NEX-5R.

Sony A3000 vs Sony NEX-5R size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A3000 and NEX-5R is 69 and 89 respectively.

Sony A3000 vs Sony NEX-5R top view buttons comparison

Sony A3000 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizes just by checking out technical specs. The picture underneath will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A3000 and NEX-5R.

As you can tell, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Sony A3000 to produce greater detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The newer A3000 will have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Sony A3000 vs Sony NEX-5R sensor size comparison

Sony A3000 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A3000 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A3000 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Portrait photography camera
77
you can focus manually
good resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
exports RAW files
74
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A3000 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Street photography camera
57
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competitors in class (411 grams)
80
has a tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
has touch focus
good high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A3000 Sports photography information
Sony NEX-5R Sports photography information
60
good resolution (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
better than average battery power (470 per charge)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
has no phase detect auto focus
68
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Sony A3000 Travel photography details
Sony NEX-5R Travel photography details
60
better than average battery power (470 per charge)
good resolution (20MP)
built-in flash
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors in class (411 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
73
has touch focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A3000 Landscape photography advice
Sony NEX-5R Landscape photography advice
70
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (470 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
no Time Lapse recording
75
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A3000 Vlogging factors
Sony NEX-5R Vlogging factors
26
comes with face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
no mic socket
heavier than competitors in class (411 grams)
31
touchscreen enabled
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
lack of external microphone jack
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Sony A3000 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A3000 and Sony NEX-5R
 Sony Alpha A3000Sony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A3000 Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2013-08-27 2012-08-29
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by BIONZ image Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5456 x 3632 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 16000 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 25 99
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E Sony E
Number of lenses 121 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT LCD Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.47x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync. Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD, H.264, MP4 AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 411 gr (0.91 lb) 276 gr (0.61 lb)
Physical dimensions 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 78 78
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 13.1
DXO Low light rating 1068 910
Other
Battery life 470 photos 330 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FW50 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage - SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $398 $750