Compare the Nikon D3 vs the Sony Alpha NEX-5

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D3

Much longer battery life

4300 shots

330 shots

More than 13x more shots per battery charge

Weather sealed

Yes

Sealed to shoot in the rain

Faster autofocus

Phase detection

Contrast detection

Catch candid moments easily

Much larger sensor

Full frame 36.0x24.0mm

APS-C 23.4x15.6mm

Around 2.5x larger sensor

Much lower noise at high ISO

2,290 ISO

796 ISO

The D3 has excellent image quality 1.5 f-stops higher ISO than the NEX-5

Better image quality

81.0

69.0

Around 20% better image quality

Significantly more lenses available

121 lenses

8 lenses

More than 15x more lenses available

Has more storage slots

More slots allows storing more images without switching memory cards

Less shutter lag

88 ms

670 ms

7.6x less delay when taking photos

More cross-type focus points

Grab focus in difficult situations

More focus points

Set focus accurately within the frame

Less startup delay

300 ms

1000 ms

3.3x less delay when turning on

Has a viewfinder

Pentaprism

None

A viewfinder can help save battery life by keeping the screen turned off

Better color depth

23.5 bits

22.2 bits

Distinguishes 1.3 more bits of color

Has boost ISO

25,600 ISO

None

Allows taking photos in darker situations, often at the cost of additional noise in the image

Shoots slightly faster

9 fps

7 fps

Around 30% faster continuous shooting

Faster max shutter speed

1/8000s

1/4000s

2x faster max shutter speed

Learn more about
the Nikon D3

Advantages of the Sony NEX-5

Much smaller

111x59x38 mm

160x157x88 mm

8.9x smaller

Shoots movies

1080p @ 30fps

None

Shoots Full HD (1080p) video as well as still pictures

Has a flip-out screen

Yes

Flip-out screens can be helpful when composing tricky shots or taking movies

Much lighter

287 g

1,300 g

4.5x lighter

Takes 3D photos

Yes

Combines multiple photos into a 3D image

Can create panoramas in-camera

Yes

Stitches together multiple photos for a wide perspective

Has in-camera HDR

Yes

Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range

Better maximum light sensitivity

12,800 ISO

6,400 ISO

The NEX-5's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better

Significantly thinner

1.5"

3.5"

2.3x thinner

Has a self cleaning sensor

Yes

Removes dust from the sensor automatically, avoiding spots in photos

Higher true resolution

14 MP

12.1 MP

Capture around 20% more detail in your photos

Learn more about
the Sony NEX-5

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Nikon D3

59	vs	47
Explain scores

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Snapsort recommends the Nikon D3. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a pro DSLR with a mirrorless interchangeable-lens.

similarities

Compared to recent digital cameras

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

Large sensors

D3:	Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
NEX-5:	APS-C 23.4x15.6mm

	Both support interchangeable lenses, which is uncommon in cameras similar to these
	Many lenses to choose from

	Good dynamic range
	12.2 EV

	Supports RAW
	Better editing

Minimal startup delay

D3:	300 ms
NEX-5:	1000 ms

	Support external flash
	Better lighting

	Better sensor types
	Better in low light

Fast max shutter speeds

D3:	1/8000s
NEX-5:	1/4000s

	No built-in flash
	Professional

	No image stabilization
	Risk of blur

dxomark

competitors

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$447 - $740 with 18-55mm lens

Records movies in 24p

Focuses automatically while shootting video

Has a slower max shutter speed

Is thicker

Compare the D3100 vs the D3

Compare the D3100 vs the Alpha NEX-5

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$497 body only

$597 - $805 with 18-55mm lens

Takes slightly higher resolution photos

Records movies in 24p

Has a slower max shutter speed

Is thicker

Compare the D5100 vs the D3

Compare the D5100 vs the Alpha NEX-5

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$675 - $899 body only

$799 - $1,099 with 18-105mm lens

Records movies in 24p

Slightly more lenses available

Has a slower max shutter speed

Is thicker

Compare the D90 vs the D3

Compare the D90 vs the Alpha NEX-5

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$549 body only

$599 - $649 with 18-55mm lens

Takes slightly higher resolution photos

Records movies in 24p

Has a slower max shutter speed

Is thicker

Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D3

Compare the Rebel T3i vs the Alpha NEX-5

Nikon D3S

Pro DSLR

Shoots movies

Significantly lower noise at high ISO

Shorter battery life

Slightly more shutter lag

Compare the D3S vs the D3

Nikon D700

Pro DSLR

$3,500 body only

Significantly smaller

Has a self cleaning sensor

Much shorter battery life

Has fewer storage slots

Compare the D700 vs the D3

Nikon D600

Pro DSLR

$1,997 body only

$2,397 with 24-85mm lens

Shoots movies

Much smaller

Much shorter battery life

Shoots slower

Compare the D600 vs the D3

Nikon D800

Pro DSLR

$2,797 body only

$3,187 with 70-300mm lens

Much higher true resolution

Shoots movies

Much shorter battery life

Shoots slower

Compare the D800 vs the D3

Nikon D4

Pro DSLR

$5,997 body only

Shoots movies

Video autofocus

Much shorter battery life

Slightly larger

Compare the D4 vs the D3

Sony NEX-5N

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$650 - $699 with 18-55mm lens

Supports 24p

Has a touch screen

More startup delay

Compare the NEX-5N vs the Alpha NEX-5

Sony Alpha NEX-3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$448 with 16-50mm lens

Has an external mic jack

Has more storage slots

Lower resolution movies

Less dynamic range

Compare the Alpha NEX-3 vs the Alpha NEX-5

Sony Alpha NEX-6

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$748 body only

$898 with 16-50mm lens

Faster autofocus

Supports 24p

Doesn't take 3D photos

Slightly larger

Compare the Alpha NEX-6 vs the Alpha NEX-5

Sony NEX-7

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$948 body only

$1,098 with 18-55mm lens

Has an external mic jack

Supports 24p

Slightly more startup delay

Heavier

Compare the NEX-7 vs the Alpha NEX-5

Sony NEX-F3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$399 - $730 with 18-55mm lens

Supports 24p

Slightly better image quality

Shoots slower

More startup delay

Compare the NEX-F3 vs the Alpha NEX-5

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NikonD3 vs Sony AlphaNEX-5

Nikon D3

Reasons to buy the Nikon D3

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Reasons to buy the Sony Alpha NEX-5

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D3

Advantages of the Sony NEX-5

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

similarities

Compared to recent digital cameras

dxomark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D3100

Nikon D5100

Nikon D90

Canon Rebel T3i

Nikon D3 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D3S

Nikon D700

Nikon D600

Nikon D800

Nikon D4

Sony Alpha NEX-5 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Sony NEX-5N

Sony Alpha NEX-3

Sony Alpha NEX-6

Sony NEX-7

Sony NEX-F3

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discussion

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Nikon
D3
vs
Sony Alpha
NEX-5