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Sony NEX-3N vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
52
Overall
55
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

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

Sony NEX-3N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 62 x 35mm
  • Introduced February 2013
  • Previous Model is Sony NEX-F3
  • Newer Model is Sony a5000
Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Introduced October 2011
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-5
  • Newer Model is Sony NEX-5R
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Sony NEX-3N vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Sony NEX-3N versus Sony NEX-5N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras and they are both manufactured by Sony. The resolution of the NEX-3N (16MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is relatively well matched and they come with the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The NEX-3N was introduced 18 months later than the NEX-5N which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short overview of how the NEX-3N scores vs the NEX-5N when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 NEX-3N NEX-5N 
IntroducedFebruary 2013October 2011More recent by 18 months

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

 NEX-5N NEX-3N 
Screen resolution920k460kClearer screen (+460k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

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

 NEX-3N NEX-5N 
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

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

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera often, you will have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Sony NEX-3N enjoys physical measurements of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5N has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Look at the Sony NEX-3N versus Sony NEX-5N in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Following is the front view size comparison of the NEX-3N versus the NEX-5N.

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

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the NEX-3N and NEX-5N is 89 and 89 respectively.

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

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

Normally, it is tough to envision the gap between sensor measurements only by checking specifications. The photograph here may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the NEX-3N and NEX-5N.

Plainly, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the identical MP therefore you can expect similar quality of pictures but you should always consider the age of the products into consideration. The more modern NEX-3N is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-3N Portrait photography advice
Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography advice
66
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
external flash not possible
73
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-3N Street photography features
Sony NEX-5N Street photography features
77
has a tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
80
screen tilts
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
comes with focus via touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-3N Sports photography features
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography features
53
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great battery power (480 CIPA)
slow frames per second (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
58
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great battery life (460 shots)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-3N Travel photography info
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography info
71
great battery power (480 CIPA)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
70
great battery life (460 per charge)
comes with focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-3N Landscape photography details
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography details
70
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
great battery power (480 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
missing Time Lapse mode
71
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (460 shots)
no image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-3N Vlogging features
Sony NEX-5N Vlogging features
28
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing external mic port
33
screen is touchscreen
offers face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
does not have mic socket
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Sony NEX-3N vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-3N and Sony NEX-5N
 Sony Alpha NEX-3NSony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha NEX-3N Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2013-02-25 2011-10-03
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4912 x 3264 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 16000 25600
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 25 25
Lens
Lens mount Sony E Sony E
Total lenses 121 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 12.00 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
WB 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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 269 gr (0.59 pounds) 269 gr (0.59 pounds)
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 score 74 77
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score 12.5 12.7
DXO Low light score 1067 1079
Other
Battery life 480 images 460 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 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 One One
Cost at release $399 $550