Sony NEX-3 vs Sony A57
89 Imaging
54 Features
55 Overall
54
64 Imaging
57 Features
85 Overall
68
Sony NEX-3 vs Sony A57 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
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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).
Photography GlossaryThe 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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Below is a preview of the gallery images for Sony Alpha NEX-3 & Sony SLT-A57. The complete galleries are available at Sony NEX-3 Gallery & Sony A57 Gallery.
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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | September 2012 |  | June 2010 | Newer by 27 months |
| Screen type | Fully Articulated |  | Tilting | Fully Articulating screen |
| Screen resolution | 921k |  | 920k | Sharper 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 sizing | 3" |  | 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.
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.
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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Sony NEX-3 vs Sony A57 Specifications
| Sony Alpha NEX-3 | Sony 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 |