Sony NEX-3 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50: A Deep Dive Into Two Unique Cameras from Sony’s Past

Choosing the right camera can feel like navigating a labyrinth, especially when models come from the same brand but differ drastically in design and target audience. The Sony Alpha NEX-3 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 illustrate this perfectly - both are entry-level cameras launched within a year of each other yet occupy different realms: mirrorless interchangeable-lens versus superzoom compact. Having personally tested thousands of cameras over the last 15 years, I find this comparison particularly compelling because it highlights how Sony balanced technology and user needs during a transitional era.

In this thorough 2500-word comparison, I’ll walk you through everything from sensor technology, autofocus, ergonomics, to real-world shooting in various photography genres. By the end, you’ll understand which of these aging cameras might still appeal today - or why it’s worth looking further instead.

Let’s embark on this exploration.

Getting a Feel for Their Designs and Ergonomics

When selecting a camera - even older models - handling and controls are paramount. I’ve found that a camera’s physical comfort often dictates how much you enjoy or resist carrying it on shoots.

Take a look at the size and shape differences here:

The Sony NEX-3 exhibits a compact, rangefinder-style mirrorless body that weighs just 297 grams. Its physical dimensions are sleeker and flatter: 117 mm wide, 62 mm tall, and 33 mm deep. This slim profile enables easy pocketing with some lenses and definitely benefits travel or street shooters who prioritize discreteness.

Contrast that with the Sony H50, a chunkier compact superzoom that bulked up at 547 grams - nearly twice the NEX-3’s weight - and a boxy shape measuring 116 x 81 x 86 mm. It feels closer to a bridge camera, largely due to its huge fixed zoom lens extending from the front.

Handling-wise, the NEX-3 strikes me as more comfortable for extended shooting sessions because of its lighter weight and better balance when coupled with compact prime lenses. However, if you demand a long zoom range without swapping lenses, the H50’s prominent grip and integrated lens deliver more versatility - but at the expense of portability.

For those who like hands-on control:

The NEX-3 offers a minimalist control set with clearly marked dials, a tilting 3-inch LCD, and lacks a viewfinder - something I’ll revisit later. The H50 compensates with an electronic viewfinder (EVF) and a fixed LCD, but its controls feel dated and limited, reflecting its budget compact nature.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

If you ask any serious photographer, sensor size dictates the crux of image quality: depth of field control, noise performance, dynamic range, and resolution all hinge on sensor capabilities more than megpixel counts alone.

Here’s a detailed sensor comparison:

• Sony NEX-3: Packs a 14 MP APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.4 x 15.6 mm, applying Sony’s then-advanced Bionz processor.

• Sony H50: Houses a 9 MP 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm), common in compact superzooms, optimized for JPEG output.

That’s a stark difference - the NEX-3’s sensor is over 13 times larger in surface area, translating into a significant advantage for image quality aspects.

Looking at DxOMark scores (though Sony H50 was not tested), the NEX-3 shows:

• Overall Score: 68
• Color Depth: 22.1 bits
• Dynamic Range: 12 stops
• Low Light ISO: 830

While these might seem like abstract numbers, here’s what they mean in practice:

• Portraits benefit from smoother tonal transitions and accurate skin tone rendering on the NEX-3.
• Low light or night shooting is much cleaner with less noise - and you can push ISO higher for dim situations.
• Landscape shots gain from the wider dynamic range that preserves shadow and highlight details.

The H50, with its small CCD sensor, struggles beyond ISO 400 and shows noticeable sharpening and compression artifacts, especially at higher ISO or during cropping.

Grip, Viewfinder, and LCD Usability: Your Window to Creativity

The way you frame images also impacts the final shot, from focusing ease to exposure accuracy.

The NEX-3 relies solely on a rear LCD. No built-in viewfinder means you compose via the 3-inch tilting TFT Xtra Fine LCD at 920k dots, offering vibrant colors and decent visibility even in sunlight.

The H50 has a low-res electronic viewfinder (EVF), which despite being modest, helps when shooting in bright daylight or holding the camera close to your face for stability.

Let’s see the screen comparison:

The NEX-3’s tilting screen is versatile - great for high or low-angle compositions often used in street or macro photography. Meanwhile, the H50’s fixed LCD restricts creative positioning but benefits from EVF use.

In real-world use, I prefer tilting displays for their flexibility, but it depends on your style.

Zoom and Lens Systems: Swap or Stay Fixed?

Lens versatility often makes or breaks a camera’s lifespan and upgrade path.

• The Sony NEX-3 earns credit for its Sony E-mount lens system that, even by today’s standards, offers over 120 compatible lenses ranging from wide primes to fast telephotos. That opens doors to portrait, macro, wildlife, and landscape niches as your skills grow.
• The Sony DSC-H50 by contrast features a fixed 15x optical zoom lens covering 31–465 mm (35mm equivalent), with a maximum aperture of f/2.7 to f/4.5. This makes it a “one and done” compact with notable limitations but convenient all-in-one zoom flexibility.

If you enjoy switching lenses or want to invest in higher quality optics over time, the NEX-3 is the clear winner.

But if you prize simplicity and do not want to cart lenses around, the H50 excels out of the box.

Autofocus and Burst Performance: Capturing the Moment

A camera’s AF system tells you how well it will perform for fast action genres like wildlife/sports, or in tricky focus scenarios typical in macro or street photography.

The NEX-3 employs a contrast-detection AF system with 25 focus points, face detection, and continuous AF options. Its focus is fast enough for casual use but not competitive with modern phase-detection systems or flagship mirrorless. I find it respectable for portraits and street shooting but mildly frustrating tracking erratic subjects at speed.

The H50 offers a basic contrast-detection system with 9 focus points and no continuous AF or advanced tracking features, which is limiting for dynamic scenes. Its shutter speed caps at 1/4000 sec with regular mechanical shutter and offers a modest 2 fps continuous shooting rate.

By comparison, the NEX-3 offers a more enjoyable shooting experience with 7 fps burst mode - definitely helpful for fleeting sports or wildlife moments.

Battery Life and Storage Considerations

Thinking practically about gear, battery endurance and storage convenience come into play on long shoots or travels.

• Battery Life: The NEX-3’s NP-FW50 battery delivers around 330 shots per charge - typical for mirrorless cameras of its generation. Carrying a spare is advisable for longer outings.
• The H50 uses the NP-BG1 battery but Sony did not specify official shots per charge, though real-world usage ranges from 200-300 shots, variable with zoom use and LCD/EVF operation.

Both use proprietary batteries that might be harder to source now but were standard then.

Storage-wise:

• NEX-3 uses SD/SDHC/SDXC and Memory Stick Pro Duo cards.
• H50 uses Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo and internal storage.

The wider compatibility of SD cards for the NEX-3 gives it an edge.

Diving Into Photography Genre Suitability

Now let’s break down how each camera stacks up across popular photography types based on real-world use and tests.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones and Bokeh

The NEX-3’s APS-C sensor combined with interchangeable lenses lets you create shallow depth of field, smoothing backgrounds with diffused bokeh that flatters skin. Its 14 MP resolution and color depth aid natural skin tones.

In contrast, the H50’s tiny sensor and fixed lens yield deeper depth of field, making subject isolation challenging. Bokeh is minimal and colors less nuanced, meaning portraits look more snapshot-like.

If you cherish artistic portraits, the NEX-3 warms my recommendation hands down.

Landscape Photography: Resolution and Dynamic Range

Landscape shooters prize high resolution and dynamic range to capture fine details from shadows to highlights.

Thanks to its sensor size and 12 stops dynamic range, the NEX-3 creates images with richer tonal gradations and better shadow recovery, vital for beautiful twilight or sunrise scenes.

The H50 occasionally oversaturates colors and clips highlights under strong lighting but remains usable in good sunlight for casual landscapes.

Weather sealing is non-existent on both, so be mindful outdoors.

Wildlife and Sports Photography: AF Speed and Burst

While both fall short of professional sports cameras, the NEX-3’s superior AF points and faster burst rate (7 fps vs. 2 fps) help you freeze action better.

The H50’s limited AF and slow shooting rate mean many fast moments might be missed or blurred.

Plus, the NEX-3’s lens flexibility lets you mount faster telephoto primes, crucial for wildlife distance.

Street Photography: Discreteness and Low Light

Street photography favors small, discreet cameras with quick focus.

The NEX-3’s compact size and quiet operation make it more stealthy, although the lack of an EVF can slow composition in bright city streets. Its higher ISO performance helps in cafes or nighttime alleys.

The H50’s bulkier body and lens zoom make it more conspicuous. Still, the EVF aids framing in sunlight.

Macro Photography: Focusing Precision

Macro demands precise focus and often shallow DOF.

The NEX-3’s lens interchangeability includes dedicated macro optics and a tilting screen to improve low angle shooting. Lack of stabilization is a downside but manageable with tripod use.

The H50’s fixed lens offers close focusing down to 1 cm, surprising for a superzoom - great for casual macro snaps.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO and Long Exposure

I’ve found the NEX-3’s superior low-light ISO handling (up to ISO 12800 native) and manual exposure controls a boon for nightscapes and astrophotography, despite lacking in-body stabilization.

The H50’s noisy images and max ISO 3200 limit astro suitability, though it’s a fun pocket camera for casual moon shots.

Video Capabilities

Neither camera thrills on video:

• NEX-3 shoots 720p HD at 30 fps, no microphone or headphone jacks, and no in-body stabilization.
• H50 caps at 640x480 VGA at 30 fps, very basic quality.

For serious video, these cameras are now obsolete.

Travel Photography: Versatility and Weight

If I had to bring one on a hike, the NEX-3 wins for versatility and lightness, with interchangeable lenses for varied shooting styles.

The H50’s superzoom saves lugging extra glass but bulk and lesser image quality are deterrents.

Professional Use: Reliability and Workflow

Neither camera suits professional standards today, especially lacking weather sealing, fast card interfaces, or robust video.

However, the NEX-3’s RAW support integrates better into a modern RAW-based workflow.

Summarizing Practical Strengths and Weaknesses

From real-world tests and technical specs, here’s a quick rundown:

Feature	Sony NEX-3	Sony DSC-H50
Sensor	Large APS-C CMOS, 14MP, RAW	Small 1/2.3-inch CCD, 9MP, JPEG only
Lens	Interchangeable Sony E mount	Fixed 15x zoom lens
Autofocus	25-point contrast AF, face detect	9-point basic AF
Burst Rate	7 fps	2 fps
Viewfinder	None	Low-res EVF
Screen	3” tilting TFT LCD, 920k dots	3” fixed LCD, 230k dots
Battery	~330 shots	~200-300 shots (approx.)
Connectivity	HDMI, Eye-Fi WiFi	USB only
Image Stabilization	None	Optical lens-based
Weight	297 g	547 g
Video	720p HD	VGA quality
Price (then)	Mid-range mirrorless price	Budget compact superzoom price

Overall Ratings and Performance Comparison

These consolidated scores from technical reviews and in-person experience help clarify the cameras’ relative strengths:

The NEX-3 scores well in image quality and versatility but drops slightly on battery and stabilization.

The H50 scores lower, constrained by sensor and AF limitations, but shines for focal range and stabilization.

Detailed Genre-Specific Performance Scores

To refine your choice further, see how these two match up per photographic discipline:

The NEX-3 dominates portrait, landscape, low-light, and macro sectors, whereas the H50 edges toward travel snapshots and casual zoom needs.

Who Should Consider the Sony NEX-3?

If you prefer:

• Higher image quality with RAW capabilities
• An extensive lens ecosystem for creative freedom
• Lightweight, mirrorless handling with manual controls
• Better low-light and portrait performance

The Sony Alpha NEX-3 will be far more satisfying, especially if you’re comfortable investing in lenses over time. For beginners getting serious about photography or enthusiasts seeking budget-friendly interchangeable lens systems, this camera embodies great value.

Who Might Still Find the Sony H50 Useful?

If your priority is:

• Zoom range to cover everything from wide angles to distant subjects without lens swaps
• Simplicity in operation with less fuss over settings
• Optical stabilization to tame handheld shake
• A built-in EVF for framing in bright light

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 stands as an all-in-one pocketable superzoom for casual daytrips or family snapshots. It’s certainly limited compared to the mirrorless system but may appeal if you seek convenience over control.

Final Thoughts: Should You Buy Either Camera Today?

From my extensive hands-on perspective, both cameras are relics in today’s market but still hold educational charm.

• The Sony NEX-3 remains relevant if purchased very inexpensively, especially for those wanting to explore mirrorless photography basics with manual options and potential to grow.
• The Sony H50 mainly serves collectors or casual users requiring an ultra-zoom compact with no plans to upgrade.

However, considering the rapid technological leap since their release, modern entry-level mirrorless cameras or zoom compacts vastly outperform both. Cameras like Sony’s newer A6000 series or updated superzooms deliver sharper images, better autofocus, in-body stabilization, and 4K video at similar or slightly higher price points.

Wrapping Up With Some Personal Advice

Dear Sony, please consider this a humble plea from a seasoned reviewer: You’ve designed gems like the NEX-3 that paved the way for today’s mirrorless dominance, yet I wish the model had an EVF option and in-body image stabilization to truly shine across disciplines.

If you are hunting for a retro budget mirrorless or zoom compact to learn or dabble, these cameras have unique personality and charm. But for most photography enthusiasts and professionals, investing in current generation gear - even used - is the smarter route.

In summary:
When balancing size, image quality, lens options, and genre versatility - the Sony Alpha NEX-3 emerges as the more compelling pick. The Sony H50 remains a niche choice for all-in-one zoom simplicity at the cost of image quality and controls.

Choose wisely based on your shooting style and demands. And if you want to see these cameras in action or sample test images, check out the gallery above.

I hope this detailed insight helps you make the best-informed choice - not just what looks good on paper, but what performs beautifully in your hands.

Happy shooting!