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Sony NEX-3N vs Sony a5100

Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
52
Overall
55
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
 
Sony Alpha a5100 front
Portability
89
Imaging
65
Features
74
Overall
68

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony a5100 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
  • Introduced February 2013
  • Earlier Model is Sony NEX-F3
  • Renewed by Sony a5000
Sony a5100
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 283g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
  • Released August 2014
  • Succeeded the Sony a5000
Photography Glossary

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony a5100 Overview

Here is a complete comparison of the Sony NEX-3N vs Sony a5100, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras and both are designed by Sony. There exists a noticeable gap among the resolutions of the NEX-3N (16MP) and a5100 (24MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The NEX-3N was revealed 17 months earlier than the a5100 making them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a brief view of how the NEX-3N matches up against the a5100 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Sony a5100

 NEX-3N a5100 

Reasons to pick Sony a5100 over the Sony NEX-3N

 a5100 NEX-3N 
ReleasedAugust 2014February 2013Fresher by 17 months
Display resolution922k460kCrisper display (+462k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony NEX-3N and Sony a5100

 NEX-3N a5100 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony a5100 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera, you'll have to think about 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 a5100 has sizing of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") having a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

Examine the Sony NEX-3N vs Sony a5100 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the NEX-3N against the a5100.

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony a5100 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the NEX-3N and a5100 is 89 and 89 respectively.

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony a5100 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony a5100 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing purely by going through specs. The photograph underneath will offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the NEX-3N and a5100.

All in all, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You can expect to see the Sony a5100 to provide extra detail because of its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop pics more aggressively. The older NEX-3N will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony a5100 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony a5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony a5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony NEX-3N
Portrait photography with Sony a5100
66
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
external flash not possible
72
you can focus manually
good megapixels (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
can't use external flash
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony NEX-3N
Street photography with Sony a5100
77
screen tilts up and down
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
82
screen tilts
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
provides focus via touch
great high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-3N Sports photography information
Sony a5100 Sports photography information
53
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery pack (480 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
68
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
great battery power (400 shots)
comes with phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-3N Travel photography advice
Sony a5100 Travel photography advice
71
better than average battery pack (480 shots)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
does not have selfie friendly screen
80
great battery power (400 CIPA)
provides focus via touch
good megapixels (24MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-3N Landscape photography advice
Sony a5100 Landscape photography advice
70
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (480 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse mode
79
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
good megapixels (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
great battery power (400 per charge)
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-3N as a Vlogging camera
Sony a5100 as a Vlogging camera
28
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
lack of external mic port
34
built-in touchscreen
supports face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
lack of external mic support
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Sony NEX-3N vs Sony a5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-3N and Sony a5100
 Sony Alpha NEX-3NSony Alpha a5100
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha NEX-3N Sony Alpha a5100
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2013-02-25 2014-08-17
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4912 x 3264 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 16000 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 25 179
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E Sony E
Number of lenses 121 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes - Flash off, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
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 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (120p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 lb) 283 grams (0.62 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 74 80
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.5 12.7
DXO Low light rating 1067 1347
Other
Battery life 480 photographs 400 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NPFW50 NP-FW50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous (3-5 shot))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
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 launch $399 $448