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

Sony Alpha NEX-5

80

"The system for manually positioning AF points is quick and easy to use."
dpreview.com | talking about the NEX-5's auto-focus
"High quality video mode"
dpreview.com | talking about the NEX-5's video-quality

Reasons to buy the Sony Alpha NEX-5

Dynamic range
Wide dynamic range
12.2 EV
Screen flips out
Flip-out screen
Great for movies
HDR
In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
Panorama
In-camera panoramas
Stitches together multiple photos into a panorama
Badge
Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Size
Really small
Compact 111x59x38 mm
Sony Alpha NEX-3

67

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 flips out
Flip-out screen
Great for movies
HDR
In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
Panorama
In-camera panoramas
Stitches together multiple photos into a panorama
External mic jack
External mic jack
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
Badge
Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Size
Really small
Compact 117x62x33 mm

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
External mic jack Has an external mic jack Yes vs No
Help
Record high quality audio with an external microphone
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
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
Lowest price Cheaper $569.00 vs $689.00
Help
The best price we've seen is $120 cheaper (around 20% less)
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
67 vs 80
Explain scores
Sony Alpha NEX-5 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Sony Alpha NEX-5.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!

I am considering either the NEX-3 or the NEX-5,
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!

2
votes
by Alex-Jenkins last month
Sony DSC-HX9v vs Sony NEX-5

I'm a beginner who's been using an old Nikon D70 for last 7 years - in auto mode only. I want s...

0
votes
by Mark-Ballard last week
Panasonic DMC-GX1 vs Sony NEX-5

Hey everyone. I'm a pretty unexperienced amateur that currently uses a Samsung NX10 normally wit...

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...

1
votes
by Phil-Hand last month
Nikon D5100 vs Sony NEX-5

I am a bit confused. Not hard for an amateur in such a complicated field. I see that the Nikon D51...

One person recommends the Nikon D5100:

"Hi Phil, these are both great cameras. I'd recommend the Nikon D5100 because there are so many mor..."

similarities

Compared to recent mirrorless cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Screen resolution High resolution screens Help
920k dots
Dynamic range Good dynamic range Help
NEX-3:12 EV
NEX-5:12.2 EV
Screen flips out Flip-out screens Help
Great for movies
Overall image quality Good image quality Help
NEX-3:68.0
NEX-5:69.0
HDR Both have in-camera, most cameras like these don't Help
Combines multiple exposures
Startup delay Minimal startup delay Help
1000 ms startup delay
Panorama In-camera panoramas Help
Stitches together multiple photos into a panorama
Color depth Good color depth Help
NEX-3:22.1 bits
NEX-5:22.2 bits
3D 3D photos Help
View photos in 3D on 3D televisions
Light sensitivity Very good maximum light sensitivity Help
12,800 ISO
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
Shutter lag Significant shutter lag Help
441 ms shutter lag
Lens availability Few lenses available Help
8 lenses
Touch screen No touchscreens Help
More buttons
Supports 24p No support for 24p Help
Missing that film look
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
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

$598 - $600 body only

$698 - $700 with 18-55mm lens

Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Thickness Is thicker
Startup delay Has much more startup delay
Nikon 1 J1

Nikon 1 J1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$547 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 significantly smaller sensor
Sony NEX C3

Sony NEX C3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$548 with 16mm lens

Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Startup delay Has slightly more startup delay
Sony NEX-7

Sony NEX-7

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$1,200 body only

$1,350 - $1,499 with 18-55mm lens

Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Lowest price Is significantly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Sony NEX-F3

Sony NEX-F3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$600 with 18-55mm lens

True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Thickness Is thicker
Size Is slightly larger
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$433 body only

Touch screen Has a touch screen
Shutter lag Has slightly less shutter lag
External flash Doesn't support an external flash
Sensor size Has a slightly smaller sensor
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $547 with 18-55mm lens

Viewfinder Has a viewfinder
Supports 24p Records movies in 24p
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier

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?