Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-5N
89 Imaging
54 Features
55 Overall
54
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89 Imaging
56 Features
69 Overall
61
Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
- Released June 2010
- Updated by Sony NEX-C3
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
- Introduced October 2011
- Replaced the Sony NEX-5
- Refreshed by Sony NEX-5R
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Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview
Below, we will be analyzing the Sony NEX-3 and Sony NEX-5N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras and both are sold by Sony. The sensor resolution of the NEX-3 (14MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is pretty similar and they come with the exact same sensor size (APS-C).
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The NEX-3 was announced 16 months before the NEX-5N which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a concise view of how the NEX-3 scores vs the NEX-5N in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-5N Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Sony Alpha NEX-3 & Sony Alpha NEX-5N. The whole galleries are provided at Sony NEX-3 Gallery & Sony NEX-5N Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Sony NEX-5N
NEX-3 | NEX-5N |
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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Sony NEX-3
NEX-5N | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | October 2011 | ![]() | June 2010 | Newer by 16 months |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Sony NEX-3 and Sony NEX-5N
NEX-3 | NEX-5N | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen size |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 920k | Identical screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen |
Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and volume. The Sony NEX-3 features physical measurements of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5N has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).
Check out the Sony NEX-3 and Sony NEX-5N in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select at that time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the NEX-3 compared to the NEX-5N.
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Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the NEX-3 and NEX-5N is 89 and 89 respectively.
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Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very difficult to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions merely by going over a spec sheet. The picture underneath might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the NEX-3 and NEX-5N.
Clearly, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Sony NEX-5N to offer you greater detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged NEX-3 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.
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Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications
Sony Alpha NEX-3 | Sony Alpha NEX-5N | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Sony | Sony |
Model type | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | Sony Alpha NEX-5N |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2010-06-07 | 2011-10-03 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | 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 area | 365.0mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4592 x 3056 | 4912 x 3264 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 25 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Sony E | Sony E |
Total lenses | 121 | 121 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 920k dot | 920k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen tech | TFT Xtra Fine LCD | Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 7.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
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, Rear Curtain, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/160 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4 | AVCHD |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | 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 | 297 grams (0.65 lbs) | 269 grams (0.59 lbs) |
Dimensions | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 68 | 77 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.1 | 23.6 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.0 | 12.7 |
DXO Low light rating | 830 | 1079 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 330 pictures | 460 pictures |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NPFW50 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Launch price | $0 | $550 |