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Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-3N

Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
52
Overall
55

Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-3N Key Specs

Sony A550
(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
  • Old Model is Sony A100
Sony NEX-3N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 62 x 35mm
  • Introduced February 2013
  • Older Model is Sony NEX-F3
  • Renewed by Sony a5000
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Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-3N Overview

Here is a comprehensive review of the Sony A550 and Sony NEX-3N, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are created by Sony. The image resolution of the A550 (14MP) and the NEX-3N (16MP) is pretty close and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The A550 was launched 4 years before the NEX-3N and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-3N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summation of how the A550 grades vs the NEX-3N in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony NEX-3N

 A550 NEX-3N 
Screen resolution922k460kCrisper screen (+462k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Sony A550

 NEX-3N A550 
IntroducedFebruary 2013December 2009Fresher by 39 months

Common features in the Sony A550 and Sony NEX-3N

 A550 NEX-3N 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-3N Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Sony A550 features external dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs) while 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 the Sony A550 and Sony NEX-3N in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the A550 compared to the NEX-3N.

Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-3N size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A550 and NEX-3N is 63 and 89 respectively.

Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-3N top view buttons comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-3N Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing simply by researching specifications. The graphic below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the A550 and NEX-3N.

Plainly, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Sony NEX-3N to result in more detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs way more aggressively. The older A550 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-3N sensor size comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A550 Portrait photography info
Sony NEX-3N Portrait photography info
72
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
66
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no external flash support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Sony A550 Street photography highlights
Sony NEX-3N Street photography highlights
74
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
77
screen tilts
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A550 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Sports photography camera
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
bad battery (480 per charge)
53
good resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good battery (480 CIPA)
max frames per second low (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A550 Travel photography factors
Sony NEX-3N Travel photography factors
52
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
missing Timelapse function
bad battery (480 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
71
good battery (480 CIPA)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A550 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Landscape photography camera
66
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
bad battery (480 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
70
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
good resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
good battery (480 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A550 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Vlogging camera
9
lack of video recording
28
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
missing mic support
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Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A550 and Sony NEX-3N
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550Sony Alpha NEX-3N
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2009-12-09 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 23.4 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4592 x 3056 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 12800 16000
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
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 mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony E
Available lenses 143 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 922 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
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 7.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless -
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 632 grams (1.39 lb) 269 grams (0.59 lb)
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 66 74
DXO Color Depth score 21.9 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.8 12.5
DXO Low light score 807 1067
Other
Battery life 480 photos 480 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FM500H NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $749 $399