Sony NEX-3 vs Sony a5000
89 Imaging
54 Features
55 Overall
54
![Sony Alpha NEX-3 front Sony Alpha NEX-3 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Sony-Alpha-NEX-3/Sony-NEX-3-front.jpg)
![Sony Alpha a5000 front Sony Alpha a5000 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/w300/fronton/Sony-Alpha-a5000.jpg)
89 Imaging
63 Features
62 Overall
62
Sony NEX-3 vs Sony a5000 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed June 2010
- Successor is Sony NEX-C3
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 16000
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 269g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
- Introduced January 2014
- Replaced the Sony NEX-3N
- Updated by Sony a5100
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Sony NEX-3 vs Sony a5000 Overview
Here, we are reviewing the Sony NEX-3 versus Sony a5000, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras and both of them are designed by Sony. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the NEX-3 (14MP) and a5000 (20MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
The NEX-3 was launched 4 years prior to the a5000 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before we go into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the NEX-3 grades against the a5000 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Sony NEX-3 vs Sony a5000 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Sony Alpha NEX-3 and Sony Alpha a5000. The complete galleries are available at Sony NEX-3 Gallery and Sony a5000 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Sony a5000
NEX-3 | a5000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 461k | Crisper display (+459k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony a5000 over the Sony NEX-3
a5000 | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2014 | ![]() | June 2010 | More recent by 43 months |
Common features in the Sony NEX-3 and Sony a5000
NEX-3 | a5000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly display |
Sony NEX-3 vs Sony a5000 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to lug around your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and size. The Sony NEX-3 has got physical measurements of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs) and the Sony a5000 has specifications of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).
Check out the Sony NEX-3 versus Sony a5000 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the NEX-3 versus the a5000.
![Sony NEX-3 vs Sony a5000 size comparison Sony NEX-3 vs Sony a5000 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Sony-Alpha-NEX-3-vs-Sony-Alpha-a5000-size-comparison.jpg)
Considering size and weight, the portability score of the NEX-3 and a5000 is 89 and 89 respectively.
![Sony NEX-3 vs Sony a5000 top view buttons comparison Sony NEX-3 vs Sony a5000 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Sony-Alpha-NEX-3-vs-Sony-Alpha-a5000-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Sony NEX-3 vs Sony a5000 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is very difficult to imagine the gap in sensor measurements purely by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph underneath may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the NEX-3 and a5000.
Clearly, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Sony a5000 to produce more detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The older NEX-3 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.
![Sony NEX-3 vs Sony a5000 sensor size comparison Sony NEX-3 vs Sony a5000 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Sony-Alpha-NEX-3-vs-Sony-Alpha-a5000-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Sony NEX-3 vs Sony a5000 Screen and ViewFinder
![Sony NEX-3 vs Sony a5000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Sony NEX-3 vs Sony a5000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Sony-Alpha-NEX-3-vs-Sony-Alpha-a5000-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Sony NEX-3 vs Sony a5000 Specifications
Sony Alpha NEX-3 | Sony Alpha a5000 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Sony | Sony |
Model | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | Sony Alpha a5000 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2010-06-07 | 2014-01-07 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Bionz | Bionz X |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.4 x 15.6mm | 23.2 x 15.4mm |
Sensor area | 365.0mm² | 357.3mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 20 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4592 x 3056 | 5456 x 3632 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 16000 |
Min native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 25 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Sony E | Sony E |
Available lenses | 121 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.6 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Tilting | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 920 thousand dots | 461 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display technology | TFT Xtra Fine LCD | TFT LCD with 180 upward tilt |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 7.0 frames per sec | 4.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m | 4.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in | Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/160 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60i/24p), 1440 x 1080 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic 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 | 297g (0.65 lb) | 269g (0.59 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 68 | 79 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.1 | 23.8 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.0 | 13.0 |
DXO Low light score | 830 | 1089 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 330 images | 420 images |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | NPFW50 | NP-FW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) | Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) |
Time lapse feature | With downloadable app | |
Storage type | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail cost | $0 | $448 |