Sony Alpha NEX-3
Competitors

As well as being compared against other mirrorless, the Sony Alpha NEX-3 is also often compared to entry-level DSLRs, pro digicams and super zooms. The Sony Alpha NEX-3's top rivals come from Sony (such as the Alpha NEX-5 and the NEX C3) and Nikon (such as the 1 J1 and the D3100)

Generally, some of the advantages of the Sony NEX-3 compared to other mirrorless interchangeable-lens competitors include: it has a slightly higher resolution screen (920k dots vs 460k dots), has slightly wider dynamic range (12 EV vs 11 EV), has significantly less startup delay (1000 ms vs 1900 ms), has a screen which flips out and has a marginally larger sensor (APS-C 23.4x15.6mm vs four thirds 18.0x13.5mm).

However, on average it records lower quality movies (720p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 30fps), doesn't record high-speed movies (none vs 1,200 fps), doesn't have a touch screen, doesn't shoot as fast continuously (7 fps vs 60 fps) and users slower contrast detection autofocus (contrast detection vs phase detection).

Sony Alpha NEX-5 similar age $569 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-5 (vs the NEX-3) Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 30fps Significant disadvantages of the NEX-5 (vs the NEX-3) Has fewer storage slots: 1 vs 2 Lacks an external mic jack common strengths of the NEX-5 and NEX-3 Good image quality: 69.0 vs 68.0 High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 920k dots Good dynamic range: 12.2 EV vs 12 EV
	Compare the NEX-5 vs the NEX-3
Sony NEX C3 1 year newer $548 16mm lens	Significant advantages of the C3 (vs the NEX-3) None found Significant disadvantages of the C3 (vs the NEX-3) Has fewer storage slots: 1 vs 2 Lacks an external mic jack common strengths of the C3 and NEX-3 Relatively low noise at high ISO: 1,083 ISO vs 830 ISO Good image quality: 73.0 vs 68.0 High resolution screens: 921k dots vs 920k dots
	Compare the NEX C3 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Nikon 1 J1 1 year newer $547 10-30mm lens	Significant advantages of the J1 (vs the NEX-3) Records high-speed movies: 1,200 fps vs None Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 30fps Shoots much faster: 60 fps vs 7 fps Significant disadvantages of the J1 (vs the NEX-3) Significantly more noise at high ISO: 372 ISO vs 830 ISO Significantly lower resolution screen: 460k dots vs 920k dots Worse image quality: 56.0 vs 68.0 common strengths of the J1 and NEX-3 Focus continuously recording movies Fairly small: Compact 106x61x29 mm vs Compact 117x62x33 mm Thin: 1.2" vs 1.3"
	Compare the Nikon 1 J1 vs the Sony Alpha NEX-3
Sony NEX-5N 1 year newer $598 - $600 (body only) $698 - $700 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-5N (vs the NEX-3) Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 60fps vs 720p @ 30fps Supports 24p Has a touch screen Significant disadvantages of the NEX-5N (vs the NEX-3) Much more startup delay: 1900 ms vs 1000 ms Has fewer storage slots: 1 vs 2 Lacks an external mic jack common strengths of the NEX-5N and NEX-3 Relatively low noise at high ISO: 1,079 ISO vs 830 ISO Good image quality: 77.0 vs 68.0 High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 920k dots
	Compare the NEX-5N vs the Alpha NEX-3
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 1 year newer $469 (body only)	Significant advantages of the DMC-GF3 (vs the NEX-3) Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 30fps Has a touch screen Less shutter lag: 312 ms vs 441 ms Significant disadvantages of the DMC-GF3 (vs the NEX-3) Significantly more noise at high ISO: 459 ISO vs 830 ISO Significantly worse image quality: 50.0 vs 68.0 Significantly lower resolution screen: 460k dots vs 920k dots common strengths of the DMC-GF3 and NEX-3 3D photos Focus continuously recording movies Fairly small: Compact 107x67x32 mm vs Compact 117x62x33 mm
	Compare the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 vs the Sony Alpha NEX-3
Olympus PEN E-PL1 3 months older $219 - $279 14-42mm lens	Significant advantages of the PEN E-PL1 (vs the NEX-3) Image stabilization: Sensor shift vs None Significantly longer exposures: 60 seconds vs 30 seconds Built-in flash Significant disadvantages of the PEN E-PL1 (vs the NEX-3) Much smaller screen: 2.7" vs 3.0" Much lower resolution screen: 230k dots vs 920k dots Much more startup delay: 2200 ms vs 1000 ms common strengths of the PEN E-PL1 and NEX-3 You can plug a microphone into both of these
	Compare the Olympus PEN E-PL1 vs the Sony Alpha NEX-3

Generally, some of the advantages of the Sony NEX-3 compared to entry-level DSLR competitors include: it has slightly wider dynamic range (12 EV vs 11.5 EV), has a slightly higher resolution screen (920k dots vs 230k dots), slightly higher maximum light sensitivity (12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO), shoots faster continuously (7 fps vs 4 fps) and has a screen which flips out.

However, on average it records lower quality movies (720p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 24fps), doesn't record movies in 24p, has slightly more startup delay (1000 ms vs 500 ms), doesn't have a viewfinder (none vs pentamirror) and has much more shutter lag (441 ms vs 252 ms).

Nikon D3100 3 months newer $500 - $547 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D3100 (vs the NEX-3) Has a viewfinder: Pentamirror vs None Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Much more lenses available: 169 lenses vs 8 lenses Significant disadvantages of the D3100 (vs the NEX-3) Much lower resolution screen: 230k dots vs 920k dots Less dynamic range: 11.3 EV vs 12 EV Much larger: Prosumer size 124x96x73 mm vs Compact 117x62x33 mm common strengths of the D3100 and NEX-3 Focus continuously recording movies Fairly small: Prosumer size 124x96x73 mm vs Compact 117x62x33 mm Thin: 2.9" vs 1.3"
	Compare the Nikon D3100 vs the Sony Alpha NEX-3
Canon Rebel T3 9 months newer $333 (body only) $489 - $500 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T3 (vs the NEX-3) Has a viewfinder: Pentamirror vs None Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Much more lenses available: 162 lenses vs 8 lenses Significant disadvantages of the T3 (vs the NEX-3) Less dynamic range: 11 EV vs 12 EV Much smaller screen: 2.7" vs 3.0" Much lower resolution screen: 230k dots vs 920k dots common strengths of the T3 and NEX-3 Light weight: 459 g vs 297 g
	Compare the Canon Rebel T3 vs the Sony Alpha NEX-3
Canon Rebel T2i 3 months older $544 - $949 (body only) $649 - $867 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T2i (vs the NEX-3) Has a viewfinder: Pentamirror vs None Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Much more lenses available: 162 lenses vs 8 lenses Significant disadvantages of the T2i (vs the NEX-3) Less dynamic range: 11.5 EV vs 12 EV Many fewer focus points: 9 vs 25 Lacks in-camera panoramic stitching common strengths of the T2i and NEX-3 High resolution screens: 1,040k dots vs 920k dots Very small: Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm vs Compact 117x62x33 mm Very thin: 2.4" vs 1.3"
	Compare the Canon EOS Rebel T2i vs the Sony Alpha NEX-3
Canon Rebel T3i 9 months newer $619 - $700 (body only) $745 - $1,000 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T3i (vs the NEX-3) Has a viewfinder: Pentamirror vs None Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Much more lenses available: 162 lenses vs 8 lenses Significant disadvantages of the T3i (vs the NEX-3) Much larger: Professional size 133x99x79 mm vs Compact 117x62x33 mm Less dynamic range: 11.5 EV vs 12 EV Many fewer focus points: 9 vs 25 common strengths of the T3i and NEX-3 High resolution screens: 1,040k dots vs 920k dots Flip-out screens
	Compare the Canon Rebel T3i vs the Sony Alpha NEX-3
Nikon D5100 10 months newer $500 - $597 (body only) $600 - $697 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D5100 (vs the NEX-3) Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 1,183 ISO vs 830 ISO Significantly better image quality: 80.0 vs 68.0 Has a viewfinder: Pentamirror vs None Significant disadvantages of the D5100 (vs the NEX-3) Much larger: Prosumer size 127x96x78 mm vs Compact 117x62x33 mm Many fewer focus points: 11 vs 25 Lacks in-camera panoramic stitching common strengths of the D5100 and NEX-3 High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 920k dots Flip-out screens Focus continuously recording movies
	Compare the Nikon D5100 vs the Sony Alpha NEX-3
Sony SLT-A33 3 months newer $669 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the SLT-A33 (vs the NEX-3) Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Has a viewfinder: Digital vs None Much less shutter lag: 215 ms vs 441 ms Significant disadvantages of the SLT-A33 (vs the NEX-3) More noise at high ISO: 591 ISO vs 830 ISO Much larger: Prosumer size 124x92x85 mm vs Compact 117x62x33 mm Much thicker: 3.3" vs 1.3" common strengths of the SLT-A33 and NEX-3 High resolution screens: 921k dots vs 920k dots Fast continuous shooting: 7 fps vs 7 fps Very good maximum light sensitivity: 12,800 ISO vs 12,800 ISO
	Compare the SLT-A33 vs the Alpha NEX-3

Generally, some of the advantages of the Sony NEX-3 compared to pro digicam competitors include: it has a much larger sensor (APS-C 23.4x15.6mm vs 1/1.7" 7.6x5.7mm), is much less noisy at high ISO (830 ISO vs 161 ISO), has much better image quality (68.0 vs 47.0), has a significantly higher resolution screen (920k dots vs 460k dots) and has much more color depth (22.1 bits vs 19.6 bits).

However, on average it doesn't have a built-in flash, records lower quality movies (720p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 24fps), doesn't have image stabilization (none vs lens), doesn't record movies in 24p and is older (may, 2010 vs september, 2011).

Canon Powershot S100 1 year newer $370 - $430	Significant advantages of the S100 (vs the NEX-3) Built-in flash Image stabilization: Lens vs None Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 24fps vs 720p @ 30fps Significant disadvantages of the S100 (vs the NEX-3) Much smaller sensor: 1/1.8" 7.5x5.5mm vs APS-C 23.4x15.6mm Much more noise at high ISO: 153 ISO vs 830 ISO Worse color depth: 20.7 bits vs 22.1 bits common strengths of the S100 and NEX-3 Supports RAW Good image quality: 50.0 vs 68.0 Good color depth: 20.7 bits vs 22.1 bits
	Compare the Canon Powershot S100 vs the Sony Alpha NEX-3
Canon PowerShot G12 4 months newer $370 - $496	Significant advantages of the G12 (vs the NEX-3) Built-in flash Image stabilization: Lens vs None Supports 24p Significant disadvantages of the G12 (vs the NEX-3) Much smaller sensor: 1/1.7" 7.6x5.7mm vs APS-C 23.4x15.6mm Much more noise at high ISO: 161 ISO vs 830 ISO Worse color depth: 20.4 bits vs 22.1 bits common strengths of the G12 and NEX-3 Supports RAW Good color depth: 20.4 bits vs 22.1 bits Flip-out screens
	Compare the Canon PowerShot G12 vs the Sony Alpha NEX-3
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 similar age $359	Significant advantages of the DMC-LX5 (vs the NEX-3) Built-in flash Image stabilization: Lens vs None Has boost ISO: 12,800 ISO vs None Significant disadvantages of the DMC-LX5 (vs the NEX-3) Much smaller sensor: 1/1.7" 8.3x6.2mm vs APS-C 23.4x15.6mm Much more noise at high ISO: 132 ISO vs 830 ISO Worse color depth: 19.6 bits vs 22.1 bits common strengths of the DMC-LX5 and NEX-3 Very large sensors: 1/1.7" 8.3x6.2mm vs APS-C 23.4x15.6mm Supports RAW Fairly small: Mid size 109x65x42 mm vs Compact 117x62x33 mm
	Compare the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 vs the Sony Alpha NEX-3
Fujifilm Finepix X10 1 year newer $599	Significant advantages of the X10 (vs the NEX-3) Built-in flash Image stabilization: Lens vs None Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 30fps Significant disadvantages of the X10 (vs the NEX-3) Much smaller sensor: 1/1.7" 8.8x6.6mm vs APS-C 23.4x15.6mm Much more noise at high ISO: 245 ISO vs 830 ISO Worse color depth: 20.5 bits vs 22.1 bits common strengths of the X10 and NEX-3 Very large sensors: 1/1.7" 8.8x6.6mm vs APS-C 23.4x15.6mm Relatively low noise at high ISO: 245 ISO vs 830 ISO Supports RAW
	Compare the Fujifilm Finepix X10 vs the Sony Alpha NEX-3
Canon PowerShot S95 3 months newer $364 - $389	Significant advantages of the S95 (vs the NEX-3) Built-in flash Image stabilization: Lens vs None Supports 24p Significant disadvantages of the S95 (vs the NEX-3) Much smaller sensor: 1/1.7" 7.6x5.7mm vs APS-C 23.4x15.6mm Much more noise at high ISO: 153 ISO vs 830 ISO Worse color depth: 20.4 bits vs 22.1 bits common strengths of the S95 and NEX-3 Supports RAW Good color depth: 20.4 bits vs 22.1 bits Good dynamic range: 11.3 EV vs 12 EV
	Compare the Canon PowerShot S95 vs the Sony Alpha NEX-3

Generally, some of the advantages of the Sony NEX-3 compared to super zoom competitors include: it has a slightly larger screen (3.0" vs 2.7"), has a slightly higher resolution screen (920k dots vs 230k dots), is much smaller (compact 117x62x33 mm vs professional size 123x92x108 mm), takes much higher resolution photos (14 MP vs 9.7 MP) and much higher maximum light sensitivity (12,800 ISO vs 3,200 ISO).

However, on average it doesn't have a built-in flash, records lower quality movies (720p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 60fps), doesn't record high-speed movies (none vs 240 fps), doesn't have image stabilization (none vs lens) and doesn't record movies in 24p.

Canon Powershot SX40 1 year newer $340 - $380	Significant advantages of the SX40 (vs the NEX-3) Built-in flash Image stabilization: Lens vs None Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 24fps vs 720p @ 30fps Significant disadvantages of the SX40 (vs the NEX-3) Much smaller sensor: 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm vs APS-C 23.4x15.6mm Lacks an external mic jack Much lower true resolution: 9.7 MP vs 14 MP common strengths of the SX40 and NEX-3 Flip-out screens Better sensor types: CMOS vs CMOS Support external flash
	Compare the Canon Powershot SX40 vs the Sony Alpha NEX-3
Sony Cybershot DSC-HX100v 8 months newer $409	Significant advantages of the DSC-HX100v (vs the NEX-3) Built-in flash Image stabilization: Lens vs None Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 60fps vs 720p @ 30fps Significant disadvantages of the DSC-HX100v (vs the NEX-3) Much smaller sensor: 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm vs APS-C 23.4x15.6mm Lacks an external mic jack Much lower true resolution: 9.7 MP vs 14 MP common strengths of the DSC-HX100v and NEX-3 Very high resolution screens: 921k dots vs 920k dots Flip-out screens Better sensor types: CMOS vs CMOS
	Compare the Cybershot DSC-HX100v vs the Alpha NEX-3
Nikon Coolpix P510 1 year newer $397 - $400	Significant advantages of the P510 (vs the NEX-3) Built-in flash Image stabilization: Lens vs None Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 30fps Significant disadvantages of the P510 (vs the NEX-3) Much smaller sensor: 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm vs APS-C 23.4x15.6mm Lacks an external mic jack Much lower true resolution: 9.7 MP vs 14 MP common strengths of the P510 and NEX-3 Very high resolution screens: 921k dots vs 920k dots Flip-out screens Both can take 3D photos, many cameras like these don't
	Compare the Nikon Coolpix P510 vs the Sony Alpha NEX-3