Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-3
63 Imaging
52 Features
52 Overall
52
89 Imaging
54 Features
55 Overall
54
Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Revealed August 2009
- Later Model is Sony A560
(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
- Released June 2010
- Newer Model is Sony NEX-C3
Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview
Lets look more in depth at the Sony A500 versus Sony NEX-3, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are sold by Sony. The resolution of the A500 (12MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is fairly close and both cameras posses the same sensor sizes (APS-C).
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideThe A500 was released 9 months before the NEX-3 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a short view of how the A500 matches up vs the NEX-3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-3 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 and Sony Alpha NEX-3. The complete galleries are available at Sony A500 Gallery and Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Sony NEX-3
A500 | NEX-3 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Sony A500
NEX-3 | A500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | June 2010 | August 2009 | More recent by 9 months | |
Display resolution | 920k | 230k | Clearer display (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Sony A500 and Sony NEX-3
A500 | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | Very precise focusing | |||
Display type | Tilting | Tilting | Tilting display | |
Display dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal display dimensions | |
Selfie screen | Neither has selfie screen | |||
Touch friendly display | Lacking Touch friendly display |
Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to lug around your camera often, you should think about its weight and proportions. The Sony A500 has physical dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs) and the Sony NEX-3 has measurements of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Check out the Sony A500 versus Sony NEX-3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the A500 and the NEX-3.
Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A500 and NEX-3 is 63 and 89 respectively.
Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
Typically, its difficult to imagine the difference in sensor measurements just by viewing specs. The photograph below might offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the A500 and NEX-3.
As you can plainly see, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You should anticipate the Sony NEX-3 to provide you with more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos more aggressively. The older A500 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.
Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Sony | Sony |
Model type | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2009-08-27 | 2010-06-07 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Bionz | 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 | 12 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4272 x 2848 | 4592 x 3056 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
Min native ISO | 200 | 200 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Sony/Minolta Alpha | Sony E |
Amount of lenses | 143 | 121 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Tilting | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 920 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display tech | - | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.53x | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 5.0 frames per sec | 7.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m | 12.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/160 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | None | 1280x720 |
Video file format | - | MPEG-4 |
Microphone 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 | 630g (1.39 pounds) | 297g (0.65 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 64 | 68 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.8 | 22.1 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.6 | 12.0 |
DXO Low light rating | 772 | 830 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 520 pictures | 330 pictures |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NP-FM500H | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at launch | $638 | $0 |