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Sony A100 vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
64
Imaging
48
Features
38
Overall
44
Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54

Sony A100 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs

Sony A100
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 638g - 133 x 95 x 71mm
  • Introduced July 2006
  • Replaced the Konica Minolta 5D
  • Refreshed by Sony A550
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
  • Newer Model is Sony NEX-C3
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Sony A100 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview

In this write-up, we are comparing the Sony A100 and Sony NEX-3, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both created by Sony. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the A100 (10MP) and NEX-3 (14MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The A100 was revealed 4 years prior to the NEX-3 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A100 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going through a full comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the A100 matches up versus the NEX-3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A100 over the Sony NEX-3

 A100 NEX-3 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Sony A100

 NEX-3 A100 
LaunchedJune 2010July 2006More modern by 46 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Sony A100 and Sony NEX-3

 A100 NEX-3 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Sony A100 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and measurements. The Sony A100 provides outer dimensions of 133mm x 95mm x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8") having a weight of 638 grams (1.41 lbs) while the Sony NEX-3 has proportions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony A100 and Sony NEX-3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the A100 versus the NEX-3.

Sony A100 vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A100 and NEX-3 is 64 and 89 respectively.

Sony A100 vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison

Sony A100 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizes simply by reading through specifications. The picture here might give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the A100 and NEX-3.

Plainly, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You should expect to see the Sony NEX-3 to give greater detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images far more aggressively. The more aged A100 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Sony A100 vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison

Sony A100 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A100 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A100 Portrait photography highlights
Sony NEX-3 Portrait photography highlights
52
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
low resolution sensor (10MP)
72
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A100 Street photography factors
Sony NEX-3 Street photography factors
64
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
76
screen tilts
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sony A100 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Sports photography camera
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
52
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A100 Travel photography details
Sony NEX-3 Travel photography details
45
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
59
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A100 Landscape photography information
Sony NEX-3 Landscape photography information
53
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
no liveview feature
low resolution sensor (10MP)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
68
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
decent megapixels (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A100 Vlogging factors
Sony NEX-3 Vlogging factors
9
no video shooting
27
features face detect autofocus
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic support
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Sony A100 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A100 and Sony NEX-3
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100Sony Alpha NEX-3
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2006-07-31 2010-06-07
Physical type Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3872 x 2592 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount type Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony E
Available lenses 143 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 638g (1.41 lb) 297g (0.65 lb)
Dimensions 133 x 95 x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8") 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 61 68
DXO Color Depth rating 22.0 22.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.2 12.0
DXO Low light rating 476 830
Other
Battery life - 330 photos
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FM55H NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $1,000 $0