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

74

  
Sony Alpha NEX-3

60

  

Reasons to buy the Sony Alpha NEX-5

Movie format
 Full HD
1080p @ 30fps
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
 
Runner-up

Sony Alpha NEX-3

Reasons to buy the Sony Alpha NEX-3

External mic jack
 External mic jack
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Storage slots
 More storage slots
2
Thickness
 Thin
1.3"
 

differences

Advantages of the Sony NEX-3
External mic jack Has an external mic jack Yes vs No
Help
 Record high quality audio with an external microphone
Storage slots Has more storage slots 2 vs 1
Help
 More slots allows storing more images without switching memory cards
Thickness Thinner 1.3" vs 1.5"
Help
 More than 10% thinner
Lowest price Slightly cheaper $448.00 vs $656.43
Help
 The best price we've seen is $208 cheaper (more than 30% 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
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.2 EV vs 12 EV
Help
 0.2 f-stops more dynamic range
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
60 vs 74
Explain scores
Sony Alpha NEX-5 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Sony Alpha NEX-5.

similarities

Compared to recent mirrorless cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Screen flips out Flip-out screens Help
Great for movies
HDR In-camera HDR Help
Combines multiple exposures
Dynamic range Good dynamic range Help
NEX-3:12 EV
NEX-5:12.2 EV
3D 3D photos Help
View photos in 3D on 3D televisions
Panorama In-camera panoramas Help
Stitches together multiple photos into a panorama
Startup delay Minimal startup delay Help
1000 ms startup delay
Size Fairly small Help
NEX-3:117x62x33 mm
NEX-5:111x59x38 mm
External flash Each supports an external flash Help
Better lighting
Built-in flash No built-in flash Help
Professional
Light sensitivity (boost) No boost ISO Help
Lacks boost light sensitivity
Longest exposure Short max exposure time Help
30 seconds
Supports 24p No support for 24p Help
Missing that film look
Touch screen No touchscreens Help
More buttons
Cross type focus points Few cross-type focus points Help
0
Focus points Few focus points Help
25
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
True resolution Capture low resolution images Help
14 MP
Viewfinder No viewfinders Help
Can only preview photos on the screen

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5N

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$650 - $699 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Startup delay Has slightly more startup delay
Compare the NEX-5N vs the Alpha NEX-3
Compare the NEX-5N vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony NEX-F3

Sony NEX-F3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$379 - $730 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Thickness Is thicker
Size Is slightly larger
Compare the NEX-F3 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Compare the NEX-F3 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony NEX-7

Sony NEX-7

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$948 body only

$1,098 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
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

$497 with 10-30mm lens
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Continuous shooting Shoots faster continuously
External flash Doesn't support an external flash
Sensor size Has a slightly smaller sensor
Compare the 1 J1 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Compare the 1 J1 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony Alpha NEX-6

Sony Alpha NEX-6

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$748 body only

$898 with 16-50mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Thickness Is thicker
Size Is slightly larger
Compare the Alpha NEX-6 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Compare the Alpha NEX-6 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$447 - $740 with 18-55mm lens
Viewfinder Has a viewfinder
Supports 24p Records movies in 24p
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the D3100 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Compare the D3100 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony NEX C3

Sony NEX C3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$549 with 16mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Compare the NEX C3 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Compare the NEX C3 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

discussion

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?