Sony NEX-3 vs Sony HX80

On this page, we will be contrasting the Sony NEX-3 and Sony HX80, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are created by Sony. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the NEX-3 (14MP) and HX80 (18MP) and the NEX-3 (APS-C) and HX80 (1/2.3") have different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The NEX-3 was launched 6 years prior to the HX80 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX80 being a Compact camera.

Before going into a in depth comparison, here is a concise summary of how the NEX-3 grades against the HX80 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Sony Alpha NEX-3 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80. The complete galleries are available at Sony NEX-3 Gallery and Sony HX80 Gallery.

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and measurements. The Sony NEX-3 has got physical dimensions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs) and the Sony HX80 has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") and a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony NEX-3 and Sony HX80 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the NEX-3 versus the HX80.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the NEX-3 and HX80 is 89 and 91 respectively.

Generally, it is tough to picture the difference between sensor measurements purely by going over specs. The photograph here should offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the NEX-3 and HX80.

All in all, each of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The NEX-3 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF less difficult and the Sony HX80 will deliver more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures more aggressively. The older NEX-3 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.