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Sony A380 vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
68
Imaging
53
Features
54
Overall
53
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54

Sony A380 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs

Sony A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Revealed August 2009
  • Superseded the Sony A350
  • Successor is Sony A390
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
  • Newer Model is Sony NEX-C3
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Sony A380 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview

Below, we will be contrasting the Sony A380 versus Sony NEX-3, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both sold by Sony. The image resolution of the A380 (14MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is relatively comparable and they possess the exact same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The A380 was revealed 9 months prior to the NEX-3 and they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras come with different body type with the Sony A380 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick summation of how the A380 scores versus the NEX-3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Sony NEX-3

 A380 NEX-3 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Sony A380

 NEX-3 A380 
LaunchedJune 2010August 2009Fresher by 9 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Sony A380 and Sony NEX-3

 A380 NEX-3 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Sony A380 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and volume. The Sony A380 comes with outer dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs) while 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).

Analyze the Sony A380 versus Sony NEX-3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is the front view size comparison of the A380 and the NEX-3.

Sony A380 vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A380 and NEX-3 is 68 and 89 respectively.

Sony A380 vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison

Sony A380 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizing purely by checking out specs. The graphic underneath may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the A380 and NEX-3.

All in all, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same resolution and you should expect comparable quality of photographs although you will want to factor the release date of the cameras into account. The older A380 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony A380 vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison

Sony A380 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A380 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A380
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-3
71
manual focus
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
exports RAW files
72
has manual focus
MP count decent (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Sony A380 Street photography highlights
Sony NEX-3 Street photography highlights
76
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
76
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A380
Sports photography with Sony NEX-3
59
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
terrible battery power (500 per charge)
52
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A380
Travel photography with Sony NEX-3
53
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
missing Timelapse function
terrible battery power (500 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
59
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A380
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-3
61
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
terrible battery power (500 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
68
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
MP count decent (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A380 Vlogging highlights
Sony NEX-3 Vlogging highlights
9
no video
27
includes face detect autofocus
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic jack
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Sony A380 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A380 and Sony NEX-3
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A380Sony Alpha NEX-3
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2009-08-24 2010-06-07
Body design Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4592 x 3056 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
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
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.49x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
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 519 gr (1.14 lbs) 297 gr (0.65 lbs)
Dimensions 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 67 68
DXO Color Depth rating 22.6 22.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.8 12.0
DXO Low light rating 614 830
Other
Battery life 500 images 330 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FH50 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $899 $0