Sony NEX-3

    59
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    Highlights

    • 14.2 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
    • 200 - 12,800 Native ISO
    • 25 Focus Points
    • 3.0" 920k dot Tilting Screen
    • 7.0 fps Continuous Shooting
    • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
    • 30 min Video Recording Limit
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Sony NEX-3 was announced in 2010 and is an APS-C (23.4 x 15.6 mm) Mirrorless camera with 14.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 200 to 12,800. The camera has a Tilting 3.0" screen with 920k dot resolution.

    Sony NEX-3 can capture video up to 1280 x 720 resolution.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Successor
    4. Screen
    5. Sensor
    6. Photography Features
    7. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
    8. Other Features
    9. Physical Parameters
    10. For Different Types of Photography
    11. Evaluation
    12. Specifications  

    Here is the Sony NEX series lineup, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the cameras within the same series.

    Sony NEX series lineup
    Model Date Sensor Native ISO Screen Price
    Image cannot be found Sony NEX-5T
    Compare
    		August
    2013    		 16.1 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 25,600 Tilting 3.0"
    922k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Sony NEX-6
    Compare
    		March
    2013    		 16.1 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 25,600 Tilting 3.0"
    921k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony NEX-3N
    Compare
    		February
    2013    		 16.1 MP
    APS-C    		 200 - 16,000 Tilting 3.0"
    460k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony NEX-5R
    Compare
    		August
    2012    		 16.1 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 25,600 Tilting 3.0"
    920k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Sony NEX-F3
    Compare
    		August
    2012    		 16.1 MP
    APS-C    		 200 - 16,000 Tilting 3.0"
    920k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony NEX-7
    Compare
    		December
    2011    		 24.3 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 16,000 Tilting 3.0"
    921k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony NEX-5N
    Compare
    		October
    2011    		 16.1 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 25,600 Tilting 3.0"
    920k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Sony NEX-C3
    Compare
    		August
    2011    		 16 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 12,800 Tilting 3.0"
    920k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony NEX-5
    Compare
    		June
    2010    		 14 MP
    APS-C    		 200 - 12,800 Tilting 3.0"
    920k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony NEX-3 June
    2010    		 14.2 MP
    APS-C    		 200 - 12,800 Tilting 3.0"
    920k dot

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Sony NEX-5T vs NEX-6 vs NEX-3N vs NEX-5R vs NEX-F3 vs NEX-7.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Sony NEX-3.

    PROS

    •   Video Capture
    •   Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus
    •   HDMI Output
    •   Light - 297 g (0.65 lb / 10.48 oz)
    •   Orientation Sensor

    CONS

    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14.2 Megapixel
    •   200 Lowest Native ISO
    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   No Viewfinder
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
    •   Low Video Recording Limit
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Short Battery Life - 330 shots

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
    •   25 Focus Points
    •   Tilting Screen
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
    •   DxO Overall Score - 68

    Successor

    In 2011 Sony NEX-3 was replaced by Sony NEX-C3. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Sony NEX-3 and its successor.

    UPGRADES Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony NEX-3
    Higher Sensor Resolution 16 Megapixel vs 14.2 Megapixel
    Lower Native ISO 100 vs 200
    Max Image Resolution 4912 x 3264 vs 4592 x 3056
    Higher DxO Low Light ISO 1083 vs 830
    Higher DxO Color Depth 22.7 vs 22.1
    Higher DxO Dynamic Range 12.2 vs 12.0
    Higher DxO Overall Score 73 vs 68
    Lighter 225 g (0.50 lb / 7.94 oz) vs 297 g (0.65 lb / 10.48 oz)
    Longer Battery Life 400 shots vs 330 shots
    DOWNGRADES Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony NEX-3
    Face Detection vs
    Lower Max Continuous Shooting 5.5 fps vs 7.0 fps

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Sony NEX-3 vs NEX-C3.

    Screen

    Tilting screen

    Sony NEX-3 has a 3.0" Tilting screen with 920k dot resolution. Tilting screen makes this camera very useful for photography purposes but not so useful for video shooting.

    Sensor

    Sony NEX-3 features a 14.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.4 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 365 mm2. Its native ISO range is 200 - 12,800.


    Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Sony NEX-3's APS-C sensor compares with other types of sensors:

    Sensor size chart
    Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
    Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
    Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.4 x 15.6 mm365 mm23:21.5x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
    Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
    Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

    Photography Features

    Camera is equipped with BIONZ processor and can take pictures up to 4592 x 3056 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 4592 x 2576, 3344 x 2224, 3344 x 1872, 2288 x 1520, 2288 x 1280 with 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.


    Lens Mount

    Sony NEX-3 has Sony E lens mount. Due to APS-C sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


    No In-Body Image Stabilization

    The camera does not have in-body image stabilization (IBIS) so it needs lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction.

    Check out the cameras which are frequently compared to Sony NEX-3.

    Sony NEX-5N
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    16.1 MP

    Sony NEX-C3
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    16 MP

    Sony NEX-3N
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    16.1 MP

    Sony NEX-7
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    24.3 MP

    Sony NEX-5R
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    16.1 MP

    Sony NEX-F3
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    16.1 MP

    Sony NEX-5
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    14 MP

    Sony NEX-6
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    16.1 MP

    Sony NEX-5T
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    16.1 MP

    Canon 5DS
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    50.6 MP

    Canon Rebel T5
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    18.0 MP

    Sony a7S III
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    12.1 MP

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    USB Input and HDMI Output

    Sony NEX-3 has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer. There is a Mini Type C HDMI connector for video signal output.


    Battery

    Sony NEX-3 comes with NPFW50 battery pack with battery life of 330 shots.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo card slot.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Sony NEX-3's shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 7.0 fps.


    Flash

    Sony NEX-3 has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Smart accessory Terminal. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec.

    Physical Parameters

    Sony NEX-3 has dimensions of 117 x 62 x 33 mm (4.61 x 2.44 x 1.3"). It weighs 297 g (0.65 lb / 10.48 oz), so it is a lightweight camera.

    117 mm (4.61")

    62 mm (2.44")

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    62 mm (2.44")

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    Sony NEX-3 dimensions

    Sony NEX-3 for Different Types of Photography

    We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Sony NEX-3 is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    GOOD
    70

    Sony NEX-3 gets a score of 70 and is GOOD choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    AVERAGE
    65

    Sony NEX-3 gets a score of 65 and is AVERAGE choice for Sports photography.

    •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
    •   25 Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
    •   No Viewfinder
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
    •   Short Battery Life - 330 shots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Wildlife Photography

    AVERAGE
    55

    Sony NEX-3 gets a score of 55 and is AVERAGE choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
    •   25 Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
    •   No Viewfinder
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Short Battery Life - 330 shots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Portrait Photography

    GOOD
    79

    Sony NEX-3 gets a score of 79 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.

    •   25 Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    82

    Sony NEX-3 gets a score of 82 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   25 Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Tilting Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
    •   No Viewfinder
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 297 g (0.65 lb / 10.48 oz)

    Travel Photography

    GOOD
    82

    Sony NEX-3 gets a score of 82 and is GOOD choice for Travel photography.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Tilting Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
    •   Low Video Recording Limit
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 297 g (0.65 lb / 10.48 oz)
    •   Short Battery Life - 330 shots

    Sony NEX-3 Evaluation

    We evaluate Sony NEX-3 and give score of 59 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


    OVERALL
    59

    Sensor

    AVERAGE
    68

    We give Sony NEX-3 a score of 68 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14.2 Megapixel
    •   200 Lowest Native ISO
    •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
    •   DxO Overall Score - 68

    Photo

    AVERAGE
    55

    We give Sony NEX-3 a score of 55 for Photo parameters.

    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec

    Video

    BAD
    9

    We give Sony NEX-3 a score of 9 for Video parameters.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
    •   Low Video Recording Limit

    Focusing

    AVERAGE
    67

    We give Sony NEX-3 a score of 67 for Focusing parameters.

    •   25 Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus

    Screen and Viewfinder

    AVERAGE
    68

    We give Sony NEX-3 a score of 68 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Tilting Screen
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
    •   No Viewfinder

    Connectivity

    AVERAGE
    65

    We give Sony NEX-3 a score of 65 for Connectivity parameters.

    •   HDMI Output
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    POOR
    42

    We give Sony NEX-3 a score of 42 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 297 g (0.65 lb / 10.48 oz)
    •   Short Battery Life - 330 shots


    For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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