Updated (June, 2011): Compare the Olympus PEN E-P1 vs Sony NEX C3

Sony Alpha NEX-3

67

"Most impressive is that it focuses fast enough to track a subject running full speed at the camera"
imaging-resource.com | talking about the NEX-3's video-quality
"The Sony NEX-3 and NEX-5 are unique cameras that will be remembered for their design as well as their excellent image quality/"
imaging-resource.com | talking about the NEX-3's image-quality

Reasons to buy the Sony Alpha NEX-3

Overall image quality
Great image quality
68.0
Screen resolution
High resolution screen
920k dots
Color depth
Great color depth
22.1 bits
Dynamic range
Wide dynamic range
12 EV
Light sensitivity
High ISO
12,800 ISO
Startup delay
Almost no delay when powering up
1000 ms startup delay
Olympus PEN E-P1

47

Runner-up

Olympus PEN E-P1

Reasons to buy the Olympus PEN E-P1

Image stabilization
Image stabilization
Sensor shift
Badge
Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Thickness
Thin
1.4"
Longest exposure
Long exposures
60 seconds

differences

Advantages of the Olympus PEN E-P1

Image stabilization Image stabilization Sensor shift vs None
Help
Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Lens availability More lenses available 26 lenses vs 8 lenses
Help
Around 3.5x more lenses available
Lowest price Significantly cheaper $184.49 vs $689.00
Help
The best price we've seen is $505 cheaper (3.7x less)
Longest exposure Significantly longer exposures 60s vs 30s
Help
2x longer exposures
Olympus PEN E-P1 Learn more about
the Olympus PEN E-P1

Advantages of the Sony NEX-3

Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen 920k dots vs 230k dots
Help
4x higher resolution screen
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 830 ISO vs 536 ISO
Help
The NEX-3 has a slight edge (0.6 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12 EV vs 10.4 EV
Help
1.6 f-stops more dynamic range
Overall image quality Better image quality 68.0 vs 55.0
Help
More than 20% better image quality
Storage slots Has more storage slots 2 vs 1
Help
More slots allows storing more images without switching memory cards
External mic jack Has an external mic jack Yes vs No
Help
Record high quality audio with an external microphone
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen Yes vs No
Help
Flip-out screens can be helpful when composing tricky shots or taking movies
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
Panorama Can create panoramas in-camera Yes vs No
Help
Stitches together multiple photos for a wide perspective
3D Takes 3D photos Yes vs No
Help
Combines multiple photos into a 3D image
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 12,800 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
The NEX-3's maximum light sensitivity is 2 f-stops better
Color depth Better color depth 22.1 bits vs 21.4 bits
Help
Distinguishes 0.7 more bits of color
Sensor size Larger sensor APS-C 23.4x15.6mm vs Four thirds 18.0x13.5mm
Help
More than 50% larger sensor
True resolution Higher true resolution 14 MP vs 12.2 MP
Help
Capture around 20% more detail in your photos
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster 7 fps vs 3 fps
Help
Around 2.5x faster continuous shooting
Size Smaller 117x62x33 mm vs 121x70x36 mm
Help
More than 20% smaller
Weight Lighter 297 g vs 355 g
Help
Around 20% lighter
Thickness Thinner 1.3" vs 1.4"
Help
Around 10% thinner
Sony Alpha NEX-3 Learn more about
the Sony NEX-3
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent mirrorless cameras, and ignoring price

Olympus PEN E-P1 Olympus PEN E-P1
47 vs 67
Explain scores
Sony Alpha NEX-3 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Sony Alpha NEX-3.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!

I am considering either the Olympus PEN E-P1 or the Sony NEX-3,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

Select aspects that are most important to you: (max 3)

Popular tags:

Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!

0
votes
by Amy-Elser this month
Sony C3 vs Sony NEX-3

I am essentially a beginner.  I'd like to  try to video my kids events and pull pictures from th...

0
votes
by drrazariz last month
Nikon D3100 vs Sony NEX-3

Am a beginner. Want to get a camera for my wedding and honeymoon pictures. Preferably camera tha...

0
votes
by eddie-holmes this month
Nikon J1 vs Sony NEX-3

I am getting a camera for christmas and i can't wait to get started in photography! thing is, i ...

similarities

Compared to recent mirrorless cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses

Snapsort is not aware of any interesting strengths shared by these two products.

Built-in flash No built-in flash Help
Professional
Light sensitivity (boost) No boost ISO Help
Lacks boost light sensitivity
Movie format Both shoot high resolution HD movies Help
720p @ 30fps
Touch screen No touchscreens Help
More buttons
Supports 24p No support for 24p Help
Missing that film look
Viewfinder No viewfinders Help
Can only preview photos on the screen

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$260 - $279 with 14-42mm lens

Built-in flash Has a built-in flash
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Nikon 1 J1

Nikon 1 J1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$547 with 10-30mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
External flash Doesn't support an external flash
Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5N

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$598 - $600 body only

$698 - $700 with 18-55mm lens

Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$433 body only

Movie format Records higher quality movies
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
External flash Doesn't support an external flash
Olympus PEN E-PM1

Olympus PEN E-PM1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$500 with 14-42mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$376 with 14-42mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Canon Powershot S100

Canon Powershot S100

Pro digicam

$356 - $430

Movie format Records higher quality movies
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Longest exposure Slightly shorter exposures

Olympus PEN E-P1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Olympus PEN E-P2

Olympus PEN E-P2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$480 with 17mm lens

Color depth Better color depth
Low light performance Slightly more noise at high ISO
Lowest price More expensive
Olympus PEN E-P3

Olympus PEN E-P3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$849 - $900 with 17mm lens

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen
Color depth Worse color depth
Overall image quality Worse image quality
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$643 - $1,125 body only

$731 - $964 with 14-42mm lens

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Color depth Worse color depth
Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$589 - $600 with 14-42mm lens

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen
Color depth Worse color depth
Overall image quality Slightly worse image quality

Sony Alpha NEX-3 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$569 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Dynamic range More dynamic range
Storage slots Has fewer storage slots
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Sony NEX C3

Sony NEX C3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$548 with 16mm lens

Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO
Overall image quality Better image quality
Storage slots Has fewer storage slots
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $547 with 18-55mm lens

Lens availability Much more lenses available
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Screen resolution Much lower resolution screen
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor

appearance

Olympus PEN E-P1 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Olympus PEN E-P1 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Olympus PEN E-P1 Sony Alpha NEX-3

discussion

Showing 0 comments