Sony NEX-3N vs Sony A55

Below is a extended review of the Sony NEX-3N vs Sony A55, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and both are produced by Sony. The sensor resolution of the NEX-3N (16MP) and the A55 (16MP) is very similar and they possess the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The NEX-3N was released 2 years later than the A55 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Sony NEX-3N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise summation of how the NEX-3N scores against the A55 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Sony Alpha NEX-3N and Sony SLT-A55. The complete galleries are provided at Sony NEX-3N Gallery and Sony A55 Gallery.

For those who are looking to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Sony NEX-3N offers external dimensions 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 A55 has dimensions of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony NEX-3N vs Sony A55 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the NEX-3N compared to the A55.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the NEX-3N and A55 is 89 and 67 respectively.

Sometimes, it is hard to envision the gap between sensor measurements purely by reading technical specs. The visual here might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the NEX-3N and A55.

As you can tell, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same resolution so you should expect similar quality of photographs though you have to take the release date of the products into consideration. The newer NEX-3N will have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.