Sony NEX-3 vs Sony W830

On this page, we will be analyzing the Sony NEX-3 vs Sony W830, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Ultracompact and both of them are offered by Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the NEX-3 (14MP) and W830 (20MP) and the NEX-3 (APS-C) and W830 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor measurements.

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The NEX-3 was released 4 years prior to the W830 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony W830 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the NEX-3 grades against the W830 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Sony Alpha NEX-3 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W830. The complete galleries are viewable at Sony NEX-3 Gallery & Sony W830 Gallery.

In case you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Sony NEX-3 features 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 W830 has dimensions of 93mm x 52mm x 23mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9") having a weight of 122 grams (0.27 lbs).

Check out the Sony NEX-3 vs Sony W830 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the NEX-3 against the W830.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the NEX-3 and W830 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Normally, it can be hard to visualise the difference in sensor measurements merely by researching technical specs. The photograph here might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the NEX-3 and W830.

As you have seen, both of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The NEX-3 because of its bigger sensor will make getting bokeh less difficult and the Sony W830 will render greater detail as a result of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs more aggressively. The older NEX-3 will be behind in sensor innovation.