Sony A580 vs Sony NEX-3

Below, we are comparing the Sony A580 vs Sony NEX-3, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are produced by Sony. The image resolution of the A580 (16MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is very well matched and they feature the exact same sensor size (APS-C).

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The A580 was manufactured 12 months later than the NEX-3 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Sony A580 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief view of how the A580 scores against the NEX-3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 and Sony Alpha NEX-3. The entire galleries are available at Sony A580 Gallery and Sony NEX-3 Gallery.

In case you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Sony A580 features physical dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3 has proportions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

Compare the Sony A580 vs Sony NEX-3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use at the time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the A580 compared to the NEX-3.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A580 and NEX-3 is 64 and 89 respectively.

Typically, it can be hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizing just by looking at technical specs. The photograph underneath will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the A580 and NEX-3.

As you can tell, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You should expect to see the Sony A580 to give greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics much more aggressively. The newer A580 provides an edge in sensor technology.