Sony Alpha
NEX-3
 vs
Sony Alpha
NEX-5

Updated (August, 2011): Compare the Sony NEX C3 vs Sony NEX-5N

Sony Alpha NEX-5

83
"High quality video mode"
dpreview.com | talking about the NEX-5's video-quality
"In terms of physical handling, both NEX cameras are also pretty good"
dpreview.com | talking about the NEX-5's button-layout

Reasons to buy the Sony Alpha NEX-5

Movie format
 Full HD
1080p @ 30fps
Screen resolution
 High resolution screen
920k dots
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
12.2 EV
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
Sensor size
 Large sensor
APS-C 23.4x15.6mm
HDR
 In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
Sony Alpha NEX-3

69
Runner-up

Sony Alpha NEX-3
"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

Screen resolution
 High resolution screen
920k dots
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
12 EV
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
Sensor size
 Large sensor
APS-C 23.4x15.6mm
HDR
 In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
Panorama
 In-camera panoramas
Stitches together multiple photos into a panorama

differences

Advantages of the Sony NEX-3
Storage slots Has more storage slots 2 vs 1
Help
 More slots allows storing more images without switching memory cards
Low light performance Slightly lower noise at high ISO 830 ISO vs 796 ISO
Help
 The NEX-3 has a slight edge (0.1 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Thickness Thinner 1.3" vs 1.5"
Help
 More than 10% thinner
Lowest price Cheaper $479.00 vs $569.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $90 cheaper (around 20% less)
Sony Alpha NEX-3 Learn more about
the Sony NEX-3

Advantages of the Sony NEX-5
Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 30fps
Help
 Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality 69.0 vs 68.0
Help
 Almost the same
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.2 EV vs 12 EV
Help
 0.2 f-stops more dynamic range
Weight Slightly lighter 287 g vs 297 g
Help
 Almost the same
Sony Alpha NEX-5 Learn more about
the Sony NEX-5
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent mirrorless cameras, and ignoring price

Sony Alpha NEX-3 Sony Alpha NEX-3
69 vs 83
Explain scores
Sony Alpha NEX-5 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Sony Alpha NEX-5.

performance Which camera has better performance? Cast your vote!

SonyAlpha NEX-3
 Sony Alpha NEX-3 vs Sony Alpha NEX-5
SonyAlpha NEX-5
Uses Travel score Travel
On holiday or vacation
36
44
Vote Vote
Sports score Sports
Fast action, sometimes indoors
27
43
Vote Vote
Features Color accuracy Color accuracy
White balance in varied lighting
29
43
Vote Vote
Autofocus peformance Still image focusing
Speed and accuracy
28
39
Vote Vote
Autofocus performance Video focusing
Speed and accuracy
28
39
Vote Vote
Manual controls Manual settings
How quickly and easily you can change settings
25
39
Vote Vote
Build quality Build quality
Is it sturdy, well made, plastic or metal
27
52
Vote Vote
Green arrow Join in the discussion below!

similarities

Compared to recent mirrorless cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Low light performance Relatively low noise at high ISO Help
NEX-3:830 ISO
NEX-5:796 ISO
Screen resolution High resolution screens Help
920k dots
Overall image quality Good image quality Help
NEX-3:68.0
NEX-5:69.0
Dynamic range Good dynamic range Help
NEX-3:12 EV
NEX-5:12.2 EV
Color depth Good color depth Help
NEX-3:22.1 bits
NEX-5:22.2 bits
Screen flips out Flip-out screens Help
Great for movies
Panorama In-camera panoramas Help
Stitches together multiple photos into a panorama
HDR In-camera HDR Help
Combines multiple exposures
Sensor size Large sensors Help
APS-C 23.4x15.6mm
Light sensitivity Very good maximum light sensitivity Help
12,800 ISO
3D 3D photos Help
View photos in 3D on 3D televisions
Startup delay Minimal startup delay Help
1000 ms startup delay
Size Fairly small Help
NEX-3:117x62x33 mm
NEX-5:111x59x38 mm
Built-in flash No built-in flash Help
Professional
Longest exposure Short max exposure time Help
30 seconds
Light sensitivity (boost) No boost ISO Help
Lacks boost light sensitivity
Lens availability Few lenses available Help
8 lenses
Shutter lag Significant shutter lag Help
441 ms shutter lag
Touch screen No touchscreens Help
More buttons
Viewfinder No viewfinders Help
Can only preview photos on the screen
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony NEX C3

Sony NEX C3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$499 - $550 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
External mic jack Lacks and external mic jack
Compare the NEX C3 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Compare the NEX C3 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5N

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$599 body only

$698 - $699 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
External mic jack Lacks and external mic jack
Startup delay Has much more startup delay
Compare the NEX-5N vs the Alpha NEX-3
Compare the NEX-5N vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony NEX-7

Sony NEX-7

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Lowest price Is much more expensive
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the NEX-7 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Compare the NEX-7 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Nikon 1 J1

Nikon 1 J1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$597 with 10-30mm lens
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Continuous shooting Shoots faster continuously
Longest exposure Significantly shorter exposures
External flash Doesn't support an external flash
Compare the 1 J1 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Compare the 1 J1 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$499 - $949 body only

$569 - $867 with 18-55mm lens
Viewfinder Has a viewfinder
True resolution Takes significantly higher resolution photos
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is much heavier
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the Alpha NEX-3
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the Alpha NEX-5
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $984 with 18-55mm lens
Viewfinder Has a viewfinder
Supports 24p Records movies in 24p
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is much heavier
Compare the D3100 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Compare the D3100 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$550 body only

$439 with 14-42mm lens
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Lens availability Significantly more lenses available
External flash Doesn't support an external flash
Sensor size Has a slightly smaller sensor
Compare the Lumix DMC-GF3 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Compare the Lumix DMC-GF3 vs the Alpha NEX-5

Sony Alpha NEX-3 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Sony Alpha NEX-3.

Sony Alpha NEX-5 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Sony Alpha NEX-5.

appearance

Sony Alpha NEX-3 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Sony Alpha NEX-3 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Sony Alpha NEX-3 Sony Alpha NEX-5

Find similar cameras

Here are some links to help you find other cameras with similar features to both of these:

discussion Which do you think is better?

Speech is free, but discussion at Snapsort is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of these cameras here, and discuss feedback for Snapsort at our support community.

Showing 7 comments

gabbar (5:43 PM, December 20, 2011)
tell me SNAPSORT
 
gabbar (5:38 PM, December 20, 2011)
is there any difference in images of nex 3 and nex5,
or any other difference except 720p and 1080p movies
and is there bulb exposure in each
 
Super Franky (6:16 AM, June 30, 2011)
Actually it only does 1080i so I prefer 720p... but it does do video at 60fps so big plus there... image quality is 120% same... its seriously just 1080x60i video and different weight and shape...
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (1:30 PM, April 25, 2011)
The Sony NEX-5 can record video at 1080p and has slightly better image quality, for about the same price. I would suggest you look at the NEX-5.
 
Pialibopanna (1:11 PM, April 24, 2011)
Hi Snapsort,
I have decided to buy my frst camera. I cant make up my mind between the Sony alpha 3, Sony alpha 5 and Sony alpha 33. Which one do you think would be a better buy? And why?
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (4:25 PM, April 05, 2011)
Hi Valentina, yes, If the NEX-3 is significantly cheaper then I think it would be bargain!
 
Valentina (1:50 AM, April 04, 2011)
Hi Snapsort,
if i well understood, the two NEXs finally differ just in video resolution (and remote control plus for NEX-5 vs. NEX-3). In your opinion, the technical difference justify the economic one? Or do you consider NEX-3 to get a bargain?