Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-3
63 Imaging
54 Features
65 Overall
58
89 Imaging
54 Features
55 Overall
54
Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Revealed December 2009
- Succeeded the Sony A100
(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
- Announced June 2010
- Later Model is Sony NEX-C3
Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview
Below is a extensive comparison of the Sony A550 and Sony NEX-3, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are manufactured by Sony. The resolution of the A550 (14MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is very well matched and both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (APS-C).
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesThe A550 was released 6 months prior to the NEX-3 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a short introduction of how the A550 matches up against the NEX-3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-3 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 and Sony Alpha NEX-3. The complete galleries are viewable at Sony A550 Gallery and Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony NEX-3
A550 | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 922k | 920k | Sharper display (+2k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Sony A550
NEX-3 | A550 |
---|
Common features in the Sony A550 and Sony NEX-3
A550 | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | December 2009 | June 2010 | Similar generation | |
Manually focus | Dial exact focusing | |||
Display type | Tilting | Tilting | Tilting display | |
Display dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal display measurement | |
Selfie screen | No selfie screen | |||
Touch friendly display | Neither contains Touch friendly display |
Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to lug around your camera, you'll need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Sony A550 has got outer measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3 has measurements of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Look at the Sony A550 and Sony NEX-3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the A550 and the NEX-3.
Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A550 and NEX-3 is 63 and 89 respectively.
Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is very tough to visualize the gap between sensor measurements purely by looking at a spec sheet. The graphic here might provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the A550 and NEX-3.
Clearly, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the identical resolution therefore you should expect similar quality of photographs though you would want to factor the production date of the products into consideration.
Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Sony | Sony |
Model type | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
Category | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2009-12-09 | 2010-06-07 |
Body design | Compact SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Bionz | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.4 x 15.6mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 365.0mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4592 x 3056 | 4592 x 3056 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 200 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
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 | ||
Range of display | Tilting | Tilting |
Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 922 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display tech | - | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.53x | - |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 7.0fps | 7.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m | 12.00 m |
Flash options | 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 | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/160 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | None | 1280x720 |
Video data format | - | MPEG-4 |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 | 632 grams (1.39 lbs) | 297 grams (0.65 lbs) |
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 | 66 | 68 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.9 | 22.1 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.8 | 12.0 |
DXO Low light rating | 807 | 830 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 480 shots | 330 shots |
Battery form | 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 feature | ||
Storage media | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Pricing at launch | $749 | $0 |