Sony NEX-3N vs Sony RX1: A Tale of Two Cameras from the Same Year

When 2013 rolled around, Sony was carving out serious space in the camera world with two very different offerings: the entry-level mirrorless Sony NEX-3N and the luxurious fixed-lens compact Sony RX1. These are cameras designed for very different budgets, users, and photographic aspirations, yet both brought with them the promise of decent image quality and Sony’s innovative spirit.

Having spent hours testing and field shooting with both, I’m excited to dive into a thorough side-by-side. We'll unpack their strengths, weaknesses, and help you decide which one deserves a home in your bag - whether you’re a budding enthusiast or a seasoned pro after a compact powerhouse.

The Size and Feel: Pocketability vs Handling

First, let’s talk about what the cameras feel like - because no matter how amazing a sensor or lens is, if a camera doesn’t feel good to use, your shooting pleasure will suffer.

The Sony NEX-3N weighs in at a featherlight 269 grams with dimensions roughly 110 x 62 x 35 mm. It’s a classic rangefinder-style mirrorless camera - relatively slim and compact - perfect for those who want something lighter than a DSLR but still fancy interchangeable lenses. Controls are minimal, ergonomics modest, but surprisingly comfortable for prolonged handheld use.

Compare that to the RX1, a slightly chunkier large sensor compact at 482 grams and a physical footprint around 113 x 65 x 70 mm (noticeably thicker to accommodate that fixed 35mm F2 Zeiss lens). It’s a serious lump for a compact but feels well-balanced in the hand thanks to its robust metal body and pronounced grip.

If full-size cameras intimidate you, the NEX-3N is likely more approachable - but if you want something pocketable with full-frame image quality that you can trust to show up everywhere, the RX1 might be your best pocket buddy… if your pockets are larger, of course.

Top Panel and Controls: Intuitive or Minimalist?

Cameras are tools, so the tactile experience counts. How they present controls affects how quickly you can nail critical shot settings under pressure.

Here’s what I found on the NEX-3N: Sony went economical. The top deck is clean and straightforward but feels sparse. A simple mode dial, shutter button, and a built-in flash pop-up flop here - no brute manual dials, no dedicated ISO or exposure comp buttons. It’s borderline toy-like but gets the job done for newbies.

The RX1, on the other hand, dresses like a premium street shooter. It packs a dedicated exposure compensation dial (a joy for light meter freaks), proper shutter speed and aperture rings around the lens barrel (thumbs-up for tactile feedback), and even a button for controlling the built-in flash. It’s a minimalist design driven by precision - not clutter.

From my time shooting quickly on the street or in events, the RX1’s control scheme felt more natural and quicker to adjust than the NEX-3N’s. Which means fewer fumbling moments as critical light slips away.

Under the Hood: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Now the core tech, the digital heart of the camera. This is often where the biggest gap lies between entry-level and professional gear.

The NEX-3N uses a 16-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor sized 23.5x15.6mm. It’s a competent imaging chip for its day, able to produce solid JPGs and RAW that can survive moderate post processing. However, its color depth (22.8 bits) and dynamic range (12.5 EV) lag noticeably behind top-tier sensors of today or those contemporaneous with the RX1.

Speaking of the RX1 - brace yourself - this beautiful beast packs a full-frame 35.8x23.8mm sensor with 24MP resolution. This sensor delivers much better color depth (25.1 bits) and a remarkable dynamic range of 14.3 EV, letting you wring out shadow details and maintain highlight retention unparalleled by the NEX-3N. Moreover, higher low-light sensitivity (with usable ISO up to 2534 vs NEX-3N’s 1067) makes the RX1 a real champ in dim conditions.

For both landscape photographers itching to capture sunrises, astrophotographers with a thirst for stars, or portraitists who appreciate subtle skin tone gradations, the RX1’s sensor is a royal upgrade.

Let’s Talk About the Screen and Viewfinder

Both cameras feature a 3-inch LCD but with interesting differences.

On the NEX-3N, you get a tilting 3-inch LCD with 460k-dot resolution. It’s adequate for composing shots at odd angles, but it’s somewhat dim and has a limited viewing angle, which can be challenging in bright conditions.

The RX1 offers a fixed 3-inch “Xtra Fine” TFT LCD packing 1,229k dots - nearly three times the resolution - yielding sharp playback and menu legibility. While you lose tilt flexibility, its sharpness and color accuracy make it a much more trustworthy preview tool. Plus, paired with an optional electronic or optical viewfinder, the RX1 provides more shooting versatility, especially in bright daylight or detail-critical compositions.

The NEX-3N’s lack of any viewfinder can occasionally force you into awkward shooting postures and makes bright daylight framing difficult. The RX1 wins big here for those who prefer using a viewfinder - essential for street shooting or precise manual focusing.

Autofocus Performance: Speed and Accuracy in Action

Autofocus systems can make or break fast-paced photography - wildlife, sports, or street work demand lightning reflexes.

The NEX-3N relies on contrast-detection autofocus with 25 focus points. It’s decent for static or moderately paced subjects but feels sluggish when faced with quick action or complex scenes. Face detection and eye autofocus are absent, which means you must rely heavily on manual focus skills or luck.

In contrast, the RX1 employs 25 contrast-detection AF points coupled with face detection and tracking abilities, making it somewhat more viable for touching off critical focus areas on the fly. However, it still lacks the sophistication of phase-detection systems found in more recent hybrids and struggles a bit with rapid continuous autofocus - indeed, continuous AF for video is not supported.

Ultimately, neither excels in fast autofocus - the NEX-3N is adequate for beginners or static subjects, while RX1's improvements offer more confidence for street, travel, or portrait sessions where you need to nail focus quickly.

Burst Shooting and Buffering: Keeping Up with Action

For sports, wildlife, or any scenario where you want rapid-fire shots, continuous shooting speed and buffer depth matter.

The NEX-3N delivers a modest 4 frames per second (fps) burst rate with limited buffer capacity. Perfectly fine for casual shooting, but you’ll quickly exhaust shots when action intensifies.

The RX1 edges ahead with a 5 fps burst rate, which is better but not extraordinary. Neither camera is designed for serious sports photography or rapid wildlife sequences, but the RX1 may eke a few more usable frames in fast sequences.

Lens Ecosystem and Macro Capabilities

The NEX-3N’s interchangeable lens mount is a gateway to Sony’s extensive E-mount lens ecosystem - over a hundred lenses of all kinds including primes, zooms, macros, and even third-party options. This flexibility is a standout advantage for users who want to experiment across genres: portrait, macro, landscape, you name it.

Macro photography on NEX-3N depends on lens choice rather than camera abilities. With proper macro lenses, it can deliver respectable close-ups, though the lack of built-in image stabilization and modest focusing system can challenge precision work.

The RX1 comes with a fixed 35mm prime lens - a lovely Zeiss 35mm F2 available at bright apertures but no macro capability. Its closest focusing distance is reasonable (~30 cm), but you won't be chasing tiny critters or flower details with this camera. It’s a tradeoff for ultimate image quality and a compact form factor but somewhat limiting for those craving macro performance.

Video Features and Performance

In 2013, video was becoming a more critical feature in still cameras - and here’s where both cameras have some limitations.

Both the NEX-3N and the RX1 can shoot Full HD 1080p video, but the RX1 offers more frame rate options (up to 60fps) for smoother motion capture. The NEX-3N maxes out at 1080p without 60fps.

Neither camera supports 4K video, nor advanced video stabilization. Optical image stabilization is absent in both cameras, meaning handheld video can be shaky without a gimbal or stabilized lenses.

Audio-wise, the RX1 includes a microphone port - a notable advantage for vloggers or filmmakers seeking clean audio input. The NEX-3N lacks any external microphone support.

If video is a secondary concern, both manage adequate quality, but the RX1 is the better pick for enthusiasts wanting manual exposure control and cleaner audio inputs during filming.

Battery Life and Storage

The NEX-3N enjoys a sturdier battery life: approximately 480 shots per full charge. This is impressive for an entry-level mirrorless and lends itself well to day-long adventures without frequent recharges.

Conversely, the RX1 tends to sip battery more aggressively, offering roughly 270 shots per charge. This is unsurprising given the larger sensor, brighter LCD, and more processing required. Traveling with the RX1 demands carrying spare batteries as a rule.

Storage on both cameras relies on a single slot compatible with SD and Memory Stick cards giving you standard flexibility.

Connectivity and Extras

Neither camera offers Bluetooth, NFC, or Wi-Fi - which today feels archaic but was common in 2013. The RX1 does support Eye-Fi wireless cards for image transfer, but this is inconvenient compared to built-in connectivity.

Both cameras include HDMI and USB 2.0 ports for tethering and external displays.

From a weather resistance viewpoint, neither camera has environmental sealing, dust, or moisture protection - so be wary shooting in rough, wet conditions.

The Value Puzzle: Price vs Performance

Here’s where the rubber meets the road - the MSRP on release for the NEX-3N was around $399, making it one of the most affordable APS-C mirrorless cameras at the time.

The RX1, on the other hand, was priced stratospherically at nearly $2,800, reflecting its status as a luxury compact with a full-frame sensor and exceptional lens.

If you’re budget-conscious or just dipping toes into mirrorless, the NEX-3N delivers respectable photo quality and versatility at a compelling price point.

If you’re a pro, serious enthusiast, or want the best image quality in the smallest full-frame package possible, the RX1 justifies (some of) that premium - though you pay dearly for fixed focal length and limited features.

How They Stack Up: A Visual Summary

To put all this into context, here’s a comparative visual scorecard summarizing their overall strengths and weaknesses based on extensive testing and ratings.

And a more granular analysis by photographic genre:

Notice the RX1 dominates in portrait, landscape, night, and professional contexts thanks to image quality and build, while the NEX-3N fares better in entry-level versatility and portability.

Real-World Test Gallery: Seeing Is Believing

Of course, all the specs and scores in the world can’t replace looking at actual image output side-by-side. Here are some samples produced under identical shooting conditions:

Sony NEX 3N front Sony NEX 3N screen back Sony RX1 front Sony RX1 screen back

You’ll notice sharper details, better highlight retention, and richer color gradients on the RX1 shots, especially in shadows and complex lighting. The NEX-3N images hold their own but display more noise and less dynamic range at higher ISO settings.

Conclusion: Which Sony From 2013 Should You Buy?

Let’s sum it up - these cameras, though announced within a week of each other, serve very different photographic needs:

• Sony NEX-3N is a wonderful starter mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses and decent image quality. It shines for casual shooting, travel, street photography, and those not keen to spend a fortune. Its lightweight body and friendly interface make it forgiving and fun for beginners or as a pocket-friendly second body.

• Sony RX1 is a premium, fixed-lens full-frame compact tailor-made for advanced enthusiasts and professionals craving supreme image quality in a compact form. It’s perfect for street, travel, portrait, and landscape shooters who value lens sharpness and sensor performance above flexibility or budget.

Who Is This For?

• If you are new to interchangeable lens cameras, or want a lightweight and affordable system with room to grow, the NEX-3N is a solid choice. Its 16MP APS-C sensor and vast lens catalog let you experiment without breaking the bank.

• If you’re a serious photographer who loves pocketable quality and can live with fixed 35mm framing, the RX1 offers a rare combination of full-frame excellence and portability - ideal for professionals craving discreet street or travel cameras.

Final Thoughts From My Experience

Shooting with the RX1 taught me how big an impact sensor size and lens quality have on final image aesthetics - even in a compact. I found myself reaching for it when prize-worthy portraits or landscape scenes demanded subtlety and oomph.

Conversely, the NEX-3N reminded me why simplicity matters - it’s delightful to have a nimble camera without fuss, and with a proper lens choice, you can still craft beautiful images that matter.

They are apples and oranges, but Sony’s 2013 lineup gave us options on both ends of the spectrum - from beginner mirrorless to compact full-frame marvel - paving the way for today’s ever-widening camera marketplace.

Whether you pick the nimble NEX-3N or the elite RX1, you’re getting a piece of Sony’s legacy and innovation. Just be sure to pack the right lens, battery, and maybe a bit of patience depending on which route you take. Happy shooting!