Clicky

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony G3

Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony G3 Key Specs

Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Introduced October 2011
  • Earlier Model is Sony NEX-5
  • Successor is Sony NEX-5R
Sony G3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2009
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony G3 Overview

The following is a in depth review of the Sony NEX-5N versus Sony G3, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are designed by Sony. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the NEX-5N (16MP) and G3 (10MP) and the NEX-5N (APS-C) and G3 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor size.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The NEX-5N was introduced 2 years after the G3 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony G3 being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple summary of how the NEX-5N grades against the G3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Sony G3

 NEX-5N G3 
LaunchedOctober 2011January 2009Newer by 34 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Sony NEX-5N

 G3 NEX-5N 
Screen dimensions3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k920kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Sony NEX-5N and Sony G3

 NEX-5N G3 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Sony NEX-5N features outer measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Sony G3 has dimensions of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") along with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

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

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the NEX-5N against the G3.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony G3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the NEX-5N and G3 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony G3 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reading specifications. The image below might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the NEX-5N and G3.

Plainly, both cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The NEX-5N having a bigger sensor will make getting shallower DOF easier and the Sony NEX-5N will deliver greater detail using its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs more aggressively. The younger NEX-5N will have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony G3 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5N
Portrait photography with Sony G3
73
has manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detect focus
supports RAW formats
26
has manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
low resolution (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Street photography highlights
Sony G3 Street photography highlights
80
screen tilts
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
provides focus via touch
great high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Sports photography highlights
Sony G3 Sports photography highlights
58
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great battery pack (460 shots)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
23
built in image stabilization (Optical)
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,000 seconds)
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low resolution (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Travel photography advice
Sony G3 Travel photography advice
70
great battery pack (460 CIPA)
provides focus via touch
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
missing Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
50
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
low resolution (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography features
Sony G3 Landscape photography features
71
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (460 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
missing Timelapse recording
36
has manual focus
very good size screen (3.5 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
low resolution (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Vlogging details
Sony G3 Vlogging details
33
touchscreen capability
has face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
missing microphone support
27
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of mic port
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-5N and Sony G3
 Sony Alpha NEX-5NSony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha NEX-5N Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-10-03 2009-01-08
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4912 x 3264 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35-140mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-10.0
Total lenses 121 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3.5 inches
Display resolution 920 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 1 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 4.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
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 gr (0.59 lb) 185 gr (0.41 lb)
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 Overall rating 77 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1079 not tested
Other
Battery life 460 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NPFW50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $550 $200