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Sony NEX-3 vs Sony TX20

Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony TX20 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
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Successor is Sony NEX-C3
Sony TX20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.5-4.6) lens
  • 133g - 96 x 56 x 18mm
  • Introduced February 2012
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Sony NEX-3 vs Sony TX20 Overview

Here is a in-depth analysis of the Sony NEX-3 and Sony TX20, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Ultracompact and they are both produced by Sony. The resolution of the NEX-3 (14MP) and the TX20 (16MP) is pretty comparable but the NEX-3 (APS-C) and TX20 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor measurements.

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The NEX-3 was introduced 21 months earlier than the TX20 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony TX20 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the NEX-3 grades against the TX20 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Sony TX20

 NEX-3 TX20 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Reasons to pick Sony TX20 over the Sony NEX-3

 TX20 NEX-3 
IntroducedFebruary 2012June 2010Fresher by 21 months
Screen resolution922k920kSharper screen (+2k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony NEX-3 and Sony TX20

 NEX-3 TX20 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony TX20 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and dimensions. The Sony NEX-3 comes with exterior measurements 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 TX20 has dimensions of 96mm x 56mm x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

Compare the Sony NEX-3 and Sony TX20 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the NEX-3 against the TX20.

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony TX20 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the NEX-3 and TX20 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony TX20 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony TX20 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizing simply by checking out specifications. The visual here might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the NEX-3 and TX20.

To sum up, the 2 cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The NEX-3 using its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sony TX20 will show more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs much more aggressively. The older NEX-3 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony TX20 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony TX20 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony TX20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-3 Portrait photography details
Sony TX20 Portrait photography details
72
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW files
40
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-3 as a Street photography camera
Sony TX20 as a Street photography camera
76
has a tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
boasts focus via touch
environment proofing
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-3 Sports photography information
Sony TX20 Sports photography information
52
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
50
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
environment proofing
great battery life (250 per charge)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony NEX-3
Travel photography with Sony TX20
59
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
72
great battery life (250 CIPA)
environment proofing
boasts focus via touch
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-3 Landscape photography highlights
Sony TX20 Landscape photography highlights
68
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3")
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse recording
52
you can focus manually
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
environment proofing
great battery life (250 shots)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony NEX-3
Vlogging with Sony TX20
27
provides face detect focusing
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone support
35
fairly wide (25mm)
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have mic jack
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Sony NEX-3 vs Sony TX20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-3 and Sony TX20
 Sony Alpha NEX-3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha NEX-3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Introduced 2010-06-07 2012-02-28
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 365.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4592 x 3056 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Min native ISO 200 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 25 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-4.6
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Available lenses 121 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 920k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT Xtra Fine LCD XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 7.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m 3.70 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 297 grams (0.65 lb) 133 grams (0.29 lb)
Dimensions 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") 96 x 56 x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 68 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.0 not tested
DXO Low light score 830 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photos 250 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NPFW50 NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $0 $330