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Sony NEX-3N vs Sony WX5

Portability
89
Imaging
58
Features
52
Overall
55
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
29
Overall
32

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony WX5 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
  • Released February 2013
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-F3
  • Newer Model is Sony a5000
Sony WX5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.4-5.9) lens
  • 146g - 92 x 52 x 22mm
  • Launched July 2010
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Sony NEX-3N vs Sony WX5 Overview

Here is a complete analysis of the Sony NEX-3N and Sony WX5, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both are manufactured by Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the NEX-3N (16MP) and WX5 (12MP) and the NEX-3N (APS-C) and WX5 (1/2.3") boast different sensor sizes.

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The NEX-3N was unveiled 2 years later than the WX5 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Sony NEX-3N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony WX5 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summary of how the NEX-3N matches up versus the WX5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Sony WX5

 NEX-3N WX5 
LaunchedFebruary 2013July 2010Fresher by 33 months
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.8"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony WX5 over the Sony NEX-3N

 WX5 NEX-3N 
Display resolution461k460kClearer display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Sony NEX-3N and Sony WX5

 NEX-3N WX5 
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony WX5 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Sony NEX-3N features 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) whilst the Sony WX5 has dimensions of 92mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.9") with a weight of 146 grams (0.32 lbs).

Check the Sony NEX-3N and Sony WX5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the NEX-3N vs the WX5.

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony WX5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the NEX-3N and WX5 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony WX5 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony WX5 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizing purely by reading specs. The graphic here may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the NEX-3N and WX5.

All in all, both cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The NEX-3N using its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Sony NEX-3N will offer greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images way more aggressively. The fresher NEX-3N should have an edge in sensor tech.

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony WX5 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony WX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony WX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony NEX-3N
Portrait photography with Sony WX5
66
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
cannot use external flash
21
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-3N Street photography details
Sony WX5 Street photography details
77
screen tilts
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-3N as a Sports photography camera
Sony WX5 as a Sports photography camera
54
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
better than average battery life (480 per charge)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
has no phase detect autofocus
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
no shutter priority
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-3N Travel photography information
Sony WX5 Travel photography information
71
better than average battery life (480 CIPA)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
58
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
missing Timelapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-3N Landscape photography highlights
Sony WX5 Landscape photography highlights
70
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (480 shots)
no image stabilization
missing Timelapse function
37
relatively wide (24mm)
nice screen size (2.8 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
manual mode not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-3N Vlogging advice
Sony WX5 Vlogging advice
28
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
missing external microphone port
32
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
display is not selfie friendly
missing microphone port
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Sony NEX-3N vs Sony WX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-3N and Sony WX5
 Sony Alpha NEX-3NSony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha NEX-3N Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-02-25 2010-07-08
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4912 x 3264 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 16000 3200
Min native ISO 200 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-120mm (5.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.4-5.9
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Total lenses 121 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.8 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 461k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 5.10 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (50 fps), 1440 x 1080 (50, 25fps), 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 269 grams (0.59 pounds) 146 grams (0.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") 92 x 52 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 74 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.5 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1067 not tested
Other
Battery life 480 photos -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NPFW50 NP-BN1
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC/ SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $399 $250