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Sony A580 vs Sony NEX-3N

Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
82
Overall
67
Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
Portability
89
Imaging
58
Features
52
Overall
55

Sony A580 vs Sony NEX-3N Key Specs

Sony A580
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Launched May 2011
  • Superseded the Sony A100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
  • Announced February 2013
  • Older Model is Sony NEX-F3
  • Later Model is Sony a5000
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Sony A580 vs Sony NEX-3N Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Sony A580 vs Sony NEX-3N, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are offered by Sony. The image resolution of the A580 (16MP) and the NEX-3N (16MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The A580 was manufactured 21 months earlier than the NEX-3N which makes them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras have different body design with the Sony A580 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-3N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summation of how the A580 grades versus the NEX-3N in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A580 over the Sony NEX-3N

 A580 NEX-3N 
Screen resolution922k460kSharper screen (+462k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Sony A580

 NEX-3N A580 
AnnouncedFebruary 2013May 2011Fresher by 21 months

Common features in the Sony A580 and Sony NEX-3N

 A580 NEX-3N 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Sony A580 vs Sony NEX-3N Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera, you should factor in its weight and dimensions. The Sony A580 features outside dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3N has dimensions of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Examine the Sony A580 vs Sony NEX-3N in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the A580 compared to the NEX-3N.

Sony A580 vs Sony NEX-3N size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the A580 and NEX-3N is 64 and 89 respectively.

Sony A580 vs Sony NEX-3N top view buttons comparison

Sony A580 vs Sony NEX-3N Sensor Comparison

Generally, its difficult to picture the difference in sensor sizing simply by checking out technical specs. The visual here should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the A580 and NEX-3N.

As you can tell, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact megapixels so you should expect comparable quality of files however you may want to consider the production date of the cameras into account. The older A580 will be behind in sensor tech.

Sony A580 vs Sony NEX-3N sensor size comparison

Sony A580 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A580 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A580 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Portrait photography camera
74
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW files
66
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony A580
Street photography with Sony NEX-3N
75
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
77
screen tilts up and down
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A580 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Sports photography camera
78
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
better than average battery pack (1,050 per charge)
sensor has phase detect AF
54
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good battery power (480 per charge)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A580 Travel photography information
Sony NEX-3N Travel photography information
61
better than average battery pack (1,050 shots)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
missing Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
71
good battery power (480 per charge)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
missing Timelapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A580 Landscape photography details
Sony NEX-3N Landscape photography details
74
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (1,050 per charge)
has dual storage slots
missing Timelapse function
70
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (480 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A580 Vlogging features
Sony NEX-3N Vlogging features
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes microphone jack
display isn't selfie friendly
28
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
missing external microphone port
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Sony A580 vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A580 and Sony NEX-3N
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A580Sony Alpha NEX-3N
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2011-05-26 2013-02-25
Body design Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4912 x 3264 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 12800 16000
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 15 25
Cross type focus points 3 -
Lens
Lens mount type Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony E
Number of lenses 143 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 922k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless -
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) 1920 x 1080
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 599 gr (1.32 lb) 269 gr (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 rating 80 74
DXO Color Depth rating 23.8 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.3 12.5
DXO Low light rating 1121 1067
Other
Battery life 1050 photos 480 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FM500H NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Two Single
Retail pricing $848 $399