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Sony NEX-5 vs Sony G3

Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony G3 Key Specs

Sony NEX-5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-5N
Sony G3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 2009
Photography Glossary

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony G3 Overview

Following is a comprehensive analysis of the Sony NEX-5 and Sony G3, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are created by Sony. There exists a significant gap between the image resolutions of the NEX-5 (14MP) and G3 (10MP) and the NEX-5 (APS-C) and G3 (1/2.3") posses different sensor size.

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The NEX-5 was introduced 18 months after the G3 making them a generation away from one another. The two cameras have different body design with the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony G3 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick summation of how the NEX-5 grades vs the G3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Sony G3

 NEX-5 G3 
IntroducedJune 2010January 2009More modern by 18 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Sony NEX-5

 G3 NEX-5 
Display dimensions3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k920kCrisper display (+1k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony NEX-5 and Sony G3

 NEX-5 G3 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera, you are going to need to take into account its weight and volume. The Sony NEX-5 has got external measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs) while the Sony G3 has sizing of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") and a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony NEX-5 and Sony G3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the NEX-5 against the G3.

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony G3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the NEX-5 and G3 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony G3 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizes purely by reviewing technical specs. The image below might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the NEX-5 and G3.

As you can tell, each of these cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The NEX-5 with its larger sensor is going to make getting bokeh easier and the Sony NEX-5 will offer you extra detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos more aggressively. The more recent NEX-5 provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony G3 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-5 Portrait photography details
Sony G3 Portrait photography details
72
focusing manually
good megapixels (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
26
focusing manually
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-5 Street photography advice
Sony G3 Street photography advice
76
tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-5 Sports photography features
Sony G3 Sports photography features
52
good megapixels (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
23
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max shutter speed is low (1/1,000 seconds)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-5 Travel photography features
Sony G3 Travel photography features
59
good megapixels (14MP)
lack of Time Lapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly display
50
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-5 Landscape photography details
Sony G3 Landscape photography details
68
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse recording
36
focusing manually
bigger than average screen (3.5")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-5 as a Vlogging camera
Sony G3 as a Vlogging camera
28
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
lack of external mic jack
27
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone socket
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Sony NEX-5 vs Sony G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-5 and Sony G3
 Sony Alpha NEX-5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha NEX-5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-06-07 2009-01-08
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.4 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4592 x 3056 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Lowest native ISO 200 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens support Sony E fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35-140mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-10.0
Amount of lenses 121 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3.5 inch
Screen resolution 920k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 1s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1000s
Continuous shooting rate 7.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 4.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 287 gr (0.63 pounds) 185 gr (0.41 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 69 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 796 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photos -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID NPFW50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $599 $200