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Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-5R Key Specs

Sony NEX-3
(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
  • Released June 2010
  • Successor is Sony NEX-C3
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Announced August 2012
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-5N
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-5T
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Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Sony NEX-3 versus Sony NEX-5R, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras and both are created by Sony. The resolution of the NEX-3 (14MP) and the NEX-5R (16MP) is relatively close and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The NEX-3 was introduced 3 years earlier than the NEX-5R which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick overview of how the NEX-3 matches up versus the NEX-5R in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Sony NEX-5R

 NEX-3 NEX-5R 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Sony NEX-3

 NEX-5R NEX-3 
AnnouncedAugust 2012June 2010Newer by 27 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony NEX-3 and Sony NEX-5R

 NEX-3 NEX-5R 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution920k920kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Sony NEX-3 offers outside measurements of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5R has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Check the Sony NEX-3 versus Sony NEX-5R in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select during that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the NEX-3 and the NEX-5R.

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-5R size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the NEX-3 and NEX-5R is 89 and 89 respectively.

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-5R top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to envision the gap in sensor dimensions just by researching a spec sheet. The image here will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the NEX-3 and NEX-5R.

As you can see, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Sony NEX-5R to result in extra detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged NEX-3 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-5R sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony NEX-3
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5R
72
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
74
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-3 Street photography features
Sony NEX-5R Street photography features
76
has a tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
80
tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
includes focus by touch
great ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-3 Sports photography factors
Sony NEX-5R Sports photography factors
52
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
has no phase detect autofocus
68
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
has phase detect AF
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-3 Travel photography information
Sony NEX-5R Travel photography information
59
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
73
includes focus by touch
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony NEX-3
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5R
68
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse function
75
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
great ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-3 Vlogging information
Sony NEX-5R Vlogging information
27
offers face detection autofocus
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic support
31
built-in touchscreen
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
lack of microphone support
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Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-3 and Sony NEX-5R
 Sony Alpha NEX-3Sony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha NEX-3 Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2010-06-07 2012-08-29
Physical type 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 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4592 x 3056 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 12800 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 25 99
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E Sony E
Total lenses 121 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 920 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT Xtra Fine LCD Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 297 grams (0.65 pounds) 276 grams (0.61 pounds)
Dimensions 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 68 78
DXO Color Depth score 22.1 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 12.0 13.1
DXO Low light score 830 910
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 330 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NPFW50 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Storage type SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $0 $750