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Sony NEX-3N vs Sony A57

Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
52
Overall
55
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony A57 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
  • Announced February 2013
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-F3
  • Newer Model is Sony a5000
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Launched September 2012
  • Replaced the Sony A55
  • Later Model is Sony A58
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Sony NEX-3N vs Sony A57 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Sony NEX-3N versus Sony A57, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and both of them are produced by Sony. The image resolution of the NEX-3N (16MP) and the A57 (16MP) is very similar and they feature the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The NEX-3N was manufactured 6 months later than the A57 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both cameras offer different body type with the Sony NEX-3N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving in to a complete comparison, below is a quick view of how the NEX-3N matches up versus the A57 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Sony A57

 NEX-3N A57 

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Sony NEX-3N

 A57 NEX-3N 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Sony NEX-3N and Sony A57

 NEX-3N A57 
LaunchedFebruary 2013September 2012Similar age
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Sony NEX-3N enjoys exterior 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 A57 has dimensions of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Analyze the Sony NEX-3N versus Sony A57 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the NEX-3N compared to the A57.

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony A57 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the NEX-3N and A57 is 89 and 64 respectively.

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to picture the gap between sensor sizing merely by going over specs. The visual here may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the NEX-3N and A57.

All in all, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical MP therefore you can expect similar quality of pictures however you should really consider the launch date of the products into consideration.

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-3N vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-3N Portrait photography information
Sony A57 Portrait photography information
66
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
74
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-3N Street photography highlights
Sony A57 Street photography highlights
77
has a tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no image stabilization
75
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony NEX-3N
Sports photography with Sony A57
53
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good battery pack (480 CIPA)
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
has no phase detect auto focus
78
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-3N as a Travel photography camera
Sony A57 as a Travel photography camera
71
good battery pack (480 per charge)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly display
67
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-3N as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A57 as a Landscape photography camera
70
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3")
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (480 CIPA)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
72
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-3N Vlogging information
Sony A57 Vlogging information
28
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not contain selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
doesn't have mic jack
77
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic socket
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Sony NEX-3N vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-3N and Sony A57
 Sony Alpha NEX-3NSony SLT-A57
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha NEX-3N Sony SLT-A57
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2013-02-25 2012-09-13
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4912 x 3264 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 16000 16000
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 25 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 121 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per second 12.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
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 grams (0.59 lb) 618 grams (1.36 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 74 75
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 23.4
DXO Dynamic range score 12.5 13.0
DXO Low light score 1067 785
Other
Battery life 480 images 550 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NPFW50 NP-FM500H
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $399 $1,000