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Sony NEX-3 vs Sony A57

Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony A57 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
  • Announced June 2010
  • New Model is Sony NEX-C3
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Released September 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony A55
  • Later Model is Sony A58
Photography Glossary

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony A57 Overview

The following is a comprehensive analysis of the Sony NEX-3 vs Sony A57, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and both are sold by Sony. The image resolution of the NEX-3 (14MP) and the A57 (16MP) is pretty well matched and they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The NEX-3 was released 3 years prior to the A57 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going in to a more detailed comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the NEX-3 matches up versus the A57 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Sony A57

 NEX-3 A57 

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Sony NEX-3

 A57 NEX-3 
ReleasedSeptember 2012June 2010Newer by 27 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k920kSharper screen (+1k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Sony NEX-3 and Sony A57

 NEX-3 A57 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera often, you have to think about its weight and proportions. The Sony NEX-3 enjoys 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) while the Sony A57 has measurements of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") with a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Contrast the Sony NEX-3 vs Sony A57 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the NEX-3 and the A57.

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony A57 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the NEX-3 and A57 is 89 and 64 respectively.

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions merely by checking technical specs. The pic underneath may provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the NEX-3 and A57.

As you have seen, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can expect the Sony A57 to give you extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged NEX-3 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-3 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A57 as a Portrait photography camera
72
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
74
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-3 Street photography features
Sony A57 Street photography features
76
has a tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
75
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-3 Sports photography highlights
Sony A57 Sports photography highlights
52
megapixel count good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
78
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-3 Travel photography features
Sony A57 Travel photography features
59
megapixel count good (14MP)
missing Time Lapse function
does not contain selfie friendly display
67
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
does not have Timelapse mode
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A57 as a Landscape photography camera
68
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3")
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse function
72
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-3 Vlogging highlights
Sony A57 Vlogging highlights
27
features face detect autofocus
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic port
77
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has microphone support
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Sony NEX-3 vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-3 and Sony A57
 Sony Alpha NEX-3Sony SLT-A57
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha NEX-3 Sony SLT-A57
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2010-06-07 2012-09-13
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.4 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4592 x 3056 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 12800 16000
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 25 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 121 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 920k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT Xtra Fine LCD Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames per second 12.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 297 grams (0.65 pounds) 618 grams (1.36 pounds)
Dimensions 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 68 75
DXO Color Depth score 22.1 23.4
DXO Dynamic range score 12.0 13.0
DXO Low light score 830 785
Other
Battery life 330 images 550 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NPFW50 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $0 $1,000