Sony NEX-3 vs Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      Sony NEX-3

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Sony NEX-3 and the Canon PowerShot SX1 IS, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Sony NEX-3 was introduced in June 2010 and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS was introduced in March 2009. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Sony NEX-3 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

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Highlights

      • 10.0 MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS Sensor
      • 80 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points
      • Image Stabilization
      • 2.80" 230k dot Fully Articulated Screen
      • Electronic Viewfinder
      • 4.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Sony NEX-3
      4. Advantage of Canon PowerShot SX1 IS
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Sony NEX-3 and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS.

      PROS

      Sony NEX-3

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      •   Video Capture
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 297 g (0.65 lb / 10.48 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Video Capture
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec
      •   Internal Storage
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Sony NEX-3

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      •   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
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.0 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/3200 sec
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing


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

      AVERAGE

      Sony NEX-3

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      •   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
      •   Screen Size - 2.80"
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   Weight - 615 g (1.36 lb / 21.69 oz)

      Advantage of Sony NEX-3

      Sony NEX-3
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony NEX-3 over Canon PowerShot SX1 IS.

      Sony NEX-3 vs Canon PowerShot SX1 IS
      Larger Sensor APS-C vs 1/2.3-inch
      Higher Sensor Resolution 14.2 Megapixel vs 10.0 Megapixel
      Max Image Resolution 4592 x 3056 vs 3648 x 2736
      More Focus Points 25 vs 9
      Selective Autofocus vs
      Continuous Autofocus vs
      Larger Screen 3.0" vs 2.80"
      Higher Resolution Screen 920k dot vs 230k dot
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 30 sec vs 15 sec
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/4000 sec vs 1/3200 sec
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 7.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
      Lighter 297 g (0.65 lb / 10.48 oz) vs 615 g (1.36 lb / 21.69 oz)

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

      Sony NEX-C3
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      APS-C

      16 MP

      Sony NEX-7
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      APS-C

      24.3 MP

      Sony NEX-5N
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-3N
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-F3
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-5R
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-5
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      14 MP

      Sony NEX-6
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-5T
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Canon 5DS
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Canon Rebel T5
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      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Sony a7S III
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      Full Frame

      12.1 MP

      Advantage of Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      Canon SX1 IS
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon PowerShot SX1 IS over Sony NEX-3.

      Sony NEX-3 vs Canon PowerShot SX1 IS
      Lower Native ISO 200 vs 80
      Higher Native ISO 12,800 vs 1,600
      Image Stabilization vs
      Screen Type Tilting vs Fully Articulated
      Viewfinder vs Electronic
      Built-in Flash vs
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/160 sec vs 1/500 sec
      Higher Video Resolution 1280 x 720 vs 1920 x 1080
      Internal Storage vs 32 MB

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon PowerShot SX1 IS.

      Nikon D7000
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      APS-C

      16.2 MP

      Nikon Z8
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      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Sony DSLR-A450
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      APS-C

      14.2 MP

      Canon R7
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      APS-C

      32.5 MP

      Nikon D2X
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      APS-C

      12.4 MP

      Sony a9
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      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Canon R6 II
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      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Nikon D3
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      Full Frame

      12.1 MP

      Sony ZV-E10
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Sony ZV-E1
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      Full Frame

      12.1 MP

      Fujifilm GFX 50R
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      Medium format

      51.4 MP

      Nikon D100
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      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Sony NEX-3 Canon PowerShot SX1 IS
        Video Capture
        Face Detection
        Live View Autofocus
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Sony NEX-3 Canon PowerShot SX1 IS
        Low Resolution Sensor14.2 Megapixel10.0 Megapixel
        Timelapse Recording
        Low Video Resolution1280 x 7201920 x 1080
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi Eye-Fi is possible
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Sony NEX-3 has a 3.0" Tilting screen with 920k dot resolution and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS has a 2.80" Fully Articulated screen with 230k dot resolution. Tilting screen makes Sony NEX-3 very useful for photography purposes but not so useful for video shooting. Fully articulated screen makes Canon PowerShot SX1 IS selfie and vlogger friendly and generally very useful for video shooting.

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      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS with Fully Articulated screen


      Electronic Viewfinder on Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS has a built-in Electronic viewfinder. It has a 100% coverage. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Sony NEX-3.

      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. Canon PowerShot SX1 IS features a 10.0 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 80 - 1,600.

      Photography Features

      Sony NEX-3 is equipped with BIONZ processor and can take pictures up to 4592 x 3056 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4592 x 2576, 3344 x 2224, 3344 x 1872, 2288 x 1520, 2288 x 1280 with 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Canon PowerShot SX1 IS can take pictures up to 3648 x 2736 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 2816 x 2112, 2272 x 1704, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480, 3840 x 2160, 1920 x 1080 with 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.

      Image Stabilization on Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS has an image stabilization.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Sony NEX-3 comes with NPFW50 battery pack with battery life of 330 shots and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS comes with AA batteries (NiMH recommended) battery pack.


      External Storage Slots

      Sony NEX-3 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo card slot. Canon PowerShot SX1 IS has a single SD/SDHC/MMC card card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Sony NEX-3, and up to 1/3200 sec on Canon PowerShot SX1 IS. Sony NEX-3 can shoot continuously up to 7.0 fps. Canon PowerShot SX1 IS can shoot continuously up to 4.0 fps.


      Flash

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS has a built-in flash with maximum range of 5.20 m and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. 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 on Sony NEX-3 and 1/500 sec on Canon PowerShot SX1 IS.

      Physical Parameters

      Sony NEX-3 body has dimensions of 117 x 62 x 33 mm (4.61 x 2.44 x 1.3") and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS body has dimensions of 128 x 88 x 88 mm (5.04 x 3.46 x 3.46"). Sony NEX-3 weighs 297 g (0.65 lb / 10.48 oz) and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS weighs 615 g (1.36 lb / 21.69 oz).

      Sony NEX-3

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      117 mm

      62 mm

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      128 mm

      88 mm

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      62 mm

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      88 mm

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      Size comparisons of Sony NEX-3 and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      Sony NEX-3 and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Sony NEX-3

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      GOOD
      70
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      POOR
      46
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Sony NEX-3

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   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
      AVERAGE
      66
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Sony NEX-3

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      AVERAGE
      55
      •   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
      AVERAGE
      62
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Sony NEX-3

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      GOOD
      79
      •   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
      GOOD
      76
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.80"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Sony NEX-3

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      GOOD
      82
      •   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)
      GOOD
      81
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 615 g (1.36 lb / 21.69 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Sony NEX-3

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      GOOD
      82
      •   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
      GOOD
      81
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 615 g (1.36 lb / 21.69 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Sony NEX-3 and Canon PowerShot SX1 IS and give both of them the 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.


      Sony NEX-3

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      OVERALL
      59
      OVERALL
      59

      Sensor

      Sony NEX-3

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14.2 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 68
      POOR
      50
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.0 Megapixel
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Sony NEX-3

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      AVERAGE
      55
      •   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
      GOOD
      70
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/3200 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec

      Video

      Sony NEX-3

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      BAD
      9
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      POOR
      46
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080

      Focusing

      Sony NEX-3

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      AVERAGE
      67
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Sony NEX-3

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      GOOD
      80
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.80"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot

      Connectivity

      Sony NEX-3

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      POOR
      48
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Sony NEX-3

      Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 297 g (0.65 lb / 10.48 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 330 shots
      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 615 g (1.36 lb / 21.69 oz)
      •   Internal Storage


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

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