Sony Alpha NEX-3
Sony Alpha NEX-5

Sony Alpha
NEX-3
 vs
Sony Alpha
NEX-5

recommendations

Relative to the best recent mirrorless cameras, and ignoring price

Sony Alpha NEX-3 Sony Alpha NEX-3
82 vs 100
Explain scores
Sony Alpha NEX-5 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Sony Alpha NEX-5.

differences

Reasons to consider the Sony NEX-3
Low light performance Slightly lower noise at high ISO 830 ISO vs 796 ISO
Help
 Almost the same
Thickness Slightly thinner 1.3" vs 1.5"
Help
 Around 20% thinner
Sony Alpha NEX-3 Learn more about
the Sony NEX-3

Reasons to consider the Sony NEX-5
Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 30fps
Help
 Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video
Color depth Slightly better color depth 22.2 bits vs 22.1 bits
Help
 Distinguishes around 10% more colors
Dynamic range Slightly more dynamic range 12.2 EV vs 12 EV
Help
 Almost the same
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality 69.0 vs 68.0
Help
 Almost the same
Sony Alpha NEX-5 Learn more about
the Sony NEX-5
vs

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
Continuous shooting Fast continuous shooting Help
7 fps
Color depth Good color depth Help
NEX-3:22.1 bits
NEX-5:22.2 bits
Screen size Large screens Help
3.0"
Storage slots Multiple storage slots Help
2
Light sensitivity Extremely good maximum light sensitivity Help
12,800 ISO
Live view Live view Help
Preview your photos
Size Fairly small Help
NEX-3:117x62x33 mm
NEX-5:111x59x38 mm
Weight Light weight Help
NEX-3:297 g
NEX-5:287 g
True resolution Capture very high resolution images Help
14.2 MP
Thickness Thin Help
NEX-3:1.3"
NEX-5:1.5"
Built-in flash Each has a built-in flash Help
External flash not needed
Viewfinder No viewfinders Help
Can only preview photos on the screen
Movie continuous focus No continous focus while recording movies Help
Requires attention to focus while recording
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Lens availability Few lenses available Help
3 lenses

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$460 body only

$685 with 14-45mm lens
Movie continuous focus Can focus continuously while recording movies
Longest exposure Slightly longer exposures
True resolution Takes slightly lower resolution photos
Storage slots Has fewer storage slots
Compare the Lumix DMC-GF1 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Compare the Lumix DMC-GF1 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Pro digicam

$499
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Light sensitivity (boost) Has boost light sensitivity
Thickness Is thicker
Sensor type Has a CCD-family sensor
Compare the Lumix DMC-LX5 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Compare the Lumix DMC-LX5 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$799 - $829 body only

$899 - $900 with 18-55mm lens
Viewfinder Has a viewfinder
Lens availability Much more lenses available
Weight Is much heavier
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the EOS Rebel T2i vs the Alpha NEX-3
Compare the EOS Rebel T2i vs the Alpha NEX-5
Canon PowerShot G11

Canon PowerShot G11

Pro digicam

$429 - $520
Viewfinder Has a viewfinder
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the PowerShot G11 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Compare the PowerShot G11 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Olympus PEN E-P2

Olympus PEN E-P2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$799 - $815 with 17mm lens
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Longest exposure Slightly longer exposures
Built-in flash Doesn't have a built-in flash
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the PEN E-P2 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Compare the PEN E-P2 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$680 - $700 with 14-42mm lens
Viewfinder Has a viewfinder
Movie continuous focus Can focus continuously while recording movies
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the Lumix DMC-G2 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Compare the Lumix DMC-G2 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Olympus PEN E-PL1

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$469 body only

$486 - $549 with 14-42mm lens
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Longest exposure Slightly longer exposures
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
True resolution Takes slightly lower resolution photos
Compare the PEN E-PL1 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Compare the PEN E-PL1 vs the Alpha NEX-5

Sony Alpha NEX-3 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Olympus PEN E-P1

Olympus PEN E-P1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$414 body only

$538 with 14-42mm lens
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available
Low light performance Significantly more noise at high ISO
Screen resolution Much lower resolution screen
Compare the PEN E-P1 vs the 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

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