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Sony NEX-3 vs Sony a5100

Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
 
Sony Alpha a5100 front
Portability
89
Imaging
65
Features
74
Overall
68

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony a5100 Key Specs

Sony NEX-3
(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
  • Launched June 2010
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-C3
Sony a5100
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 283g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
  • Introduced August 2014
  • Earlier Model is Sony a5000
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Sony NEX-3 vs Sony a5100 Overview

Below is a extensive overview of the Sony NEX-3 and Sony a5100, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras and they are both created by Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the NEX-3 (14MP) and a5100 (24MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The NEX-3 was introduced 5 years prior to the a5100 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting into a complete comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the NEX-3 grades versus the a5100 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Sony a5100

 NEX-3 a5100 

Reasons to pick Sony a5100 over the Sony NEX-3

 a5100 NEX-3 
IntroducedAugust 2014June 2010More recent by 51 months
Screen resolution922k920kSharper screen (+2k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony NEX-3 and Sony a5100

 NEX-3 a5100 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony a5100 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Sony NEX-3 comes with outside dimensions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs) while the Sony a5100 has proportions of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") having a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony NEX-3 and Sony a5100 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the NEX-3 compared to the a5100.

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony a5100 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the NEX-3 and a5100 is 89 and 89 respectively.

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony a5100 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony a5100 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to imagine the gap in sensor measurements merely by looking through technical specs. The photograph here will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the NEX-3 and a5100.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Sony a5100 to render extra detail using its extra 10MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The older NEX-3 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony a5100 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony a5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony a5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-3 Portrait photography details
Sony a5100 Portrait photography details
72
manual focus
MP count decent (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
72
manual focus
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detect focus
saves RAW files
cannot use external flash
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Sony NEX-3 Street photography advice
Sony a5100 Street photography advice
76
tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
82
screen tilts
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
provides focus via touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-3 Sports photography factors
Sony a5100 Sports photography factors
52
MP count decent (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
68
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking focus
good battery (400 per charge)
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow fps (6.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-3 as a Travel photography camera
Sony a5100 as a Travel photography camera
59
MP count decent (14MP)
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not feature selfie friendly screen
80
good battery (400 per charge)
provides focus via touch
MP count decent (24MP)
has built in flash
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony a5100 as a Landscape photography camera
68
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
MP count decent (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse recording
79
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
good battery (400 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-3 Vlogging factors
Sony a5100 Vlogging factors
27
offers face detection focusing
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic jack
34
touch screen
features face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
does not have mic socket
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Sony NEX-3 vs Sony a5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-3 and Sony a5100
 Sony Alpha NEX-3Sony Alpha a5100
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha NEX-3 Sony Alpha a5100
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2010-06-07 2014-08-17
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 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4592 x 3056 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 12800 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 25 179
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E Sony E
Available lenses 121 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 920 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT Xtra Fine LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Flash off, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 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 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (120p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic port
Headphone port
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 gr (0.65 pounds) 283 gr (0.62 pounds)
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 All around score 68 80
DXO Color Depth score 22.1 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score 12.0 12.7
DXO Low light score 830 1347
Other
Battery life 330 photos 400 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NPFW50 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous (3-5 shot))
Time lapse shooting 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 1 1
Launch price $0 $448