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Sony NEX-3N vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
89
Imaging
58
Features
52
Overall
55
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs

Sony NEX-3N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 62 x 35mm
  • Revealed February 2013
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-F3
  • Newer Model is Sony a5000
Sony NEX-5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Launched June 2010
  • Newer Model is Sony NEX-5N
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Sony NEX-3N vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

The following is a thorough assessment of the Sony NEX-3N and Sony NEX-5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras and both of them are designed by Sony. The image resolution of the NEX-3N (16MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is fairly similar and both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The NEX-3N was unveiled 2 years after the NEX-5 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the NEX-3N matches up against the NEX-5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Sony NEX-5

 NEX-3N NEX-5 
LaunchedFebruary 2013June 2010Newer by 34 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Sony NEX-3N

 NEX-5 NEX-3N 
Display resolution920k460kClearer display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Sony NEX-3N and Sony NEX-5

 NEX-3N NEX-5 
Manual focus More exact focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and volume. The Sony NEX-3N comes with outside measurements of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5 has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Compare the Sony NEX-3N and Sony NEX-5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the NEX-3N and the NEX-5.

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the NEX-3N and NEX-5 is 89 and 89 respectively.

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony NEX-5 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions just by reading specifications. The pic below may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the NEX-3N and NEX-5.

To sum up, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Sony NEX-3N to offer extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more modern NEX-3N is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony NEX-5 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-3N Portrait photography info
Sony NEX-5 Portrait photography info
66
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no external flash support
72
you can focus manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-3N Street photography factors
Sony NEX-5 Street photography factors
77
has a tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
76
screen tilts up and down
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-3N Sports photography information
Sony NEX-5 Sports photography information
54
good resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great battery life (480 CIPA)
max frames per second low (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
no phase detect autofocus
52
MP count good (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-3N Travel photography details
Sony NEX-5 Travel photography details
71
great battery life (480 CIPA)
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly display
59
MP count good (14MP)
lack of Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-3N Landscape photography advice
Sony NEX-5 Landscape photography advice
70
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (480 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse recording
68
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
MP count good (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-3N Vlogging info
Sony NEX-5 Vlogging info
28
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
lack of mic socket
28
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of external microphone socket
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Sony NEX-3N vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-3N and Sony NEX-5
 Sony Alpha NEX-3NSony Alpha NEX-5
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha NEX-3N Sony Alpha NEX-5
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2013-02-25 2010-06-07
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4912 x 3264 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 16000 12800
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 25 25
Lens
Lens support Sony E Sony E
Number of lenses 121 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 12.00 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 269 grams (0.59 lbs) 287 grams (0.63 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 74 69
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 22.2
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.5 12.2
DXO Low light rating 1067 796
Other
Battery life 480 shots 330 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NPFW50 NPFW50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
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
Price at release $399 $599