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Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-3N

Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
52
Overall
55

Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-3N Key Specs

Sony A500
(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
  • Introduced August 2009
  • Newer Model is Sony A560
Sony NEX-3N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 62 x 35mm
  • Introduced February 2013
  • Earlier Model is Sony NEX-F3
  • Refreshed by Sony a5000
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Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-3N Overview

Here, we are comparing the Sony A500 and Sony NEX-3N, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are sold by Sony. There exists a large gap among the image resolutions of the A500 (12MP) and NEX-3N (16MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor size (APS-C).

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The A500 was released 4 years prior to the NEX-3N and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-3N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise summation of how the A500 grades vs the NEX-3N in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Sony NEX-3N

 A500 NEX-3N 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Sony A500

 NEX-3N A500 
IntroducedFebruary 2013August 2009More recent by 42 months
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Sony A500 and Sony NEX-3N

 A500 NEX-3N 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-3N Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Sony A500 has got external dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3N has dimensions of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check out the Sony A500 and Sony NEX-3N in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the A500 against the NEX-3N.

Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-3N size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A500 and NEX-3N is 63 and 89 respectively.

Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-3N top view buttons comparison

Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-3N Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to visualize the gap in sensor measurements just by viewing specifications. The visual here will provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A500 and NEX-3N.

To sum up, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but different resolution. You can anticipate the Sony NEX-3N to provide you with extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The older A500 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-3N sensor size comparison

Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A500 Portrait photography factors
Sony NEX-3N Portrait photography factors
63
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
66
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no external flash support
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Street Comparison

Sony A500 Street photography highlights
Sony NEX-3N Street photography highlights
74
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
77
has a tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A500 Sports photography information
Sony NEX-3N Sports photography information
51
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
low frames per second (5.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
low battery (520 per charge)
53
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
great battery (480 shots)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Sony A500 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Travel photography camera
43
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
low battery (520 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
71
great battery (480 per charge)
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A500 Landscape photography advice
Sony NEX-3N Landscape photography advice
60
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
low battery (520 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
70
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
great battery (480 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A500 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Vlogging camera
9
can't shoot video
28
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have mic socket
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Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A500 and Sony NEX-3N
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500Sony Alpha NEX-3N
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2009-08-27 2013-02-25
Physical type Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4272 x 2848 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 12800 16000
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony E
Available lenses 143 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 630g (1.39 lbs) 269g (0.59 lbs)
Physical dimensions 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 64 74
DXO Color Depth score 21.8 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.6 12.5
DXO Low light score 772 1067
Other
Battery life 520 photographs 480 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FM500H NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $638 $399