Sony Alpha
NEX-3
 vs
Sony
SLT-A33

Updated (June, 2011): Compare the Sony NEX C3 vs Sony SLT A35

Sony SLT-A33

49

  
Sony Alpha NEX-3

43

  
Winner

Sony SLT-A33

Reasons to buy the Sony SLT-A33

Image stabilization
 Image stabilization
Sensor shift
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
Panorama
 In-camera panoramas
Stitches together multiple photos into a panorama
3D
 Takes 3D photos
View photos in 3D on 3D televisions
Movie continuous focus
 Movie continuous focus
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
External mic jack
 External mic jack
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
 
Runner-up

Sony Alpha NEX-3

Reasons to buy the Sony Alpha NEX-3

Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
Panorama
 In-camera panoramas
Stitches together multiple photos into a panorama
3D
 Takes 3D photos
View photos in 3D on 3D televisions
Movie continuous focus
 Movie continuous focus
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
External mic jack
 External mic jack
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
 

differences

Advantages of the Sony NEX-3
Size Significantly smaller 117x62x33 mm vs 124x92x85 mm
Help
 4.1x smaller
Storage slots Has more storage slots 2 vs 1
Help
 More slots allows storing more images without switching memory cards
Thickness Significantly thinner 1.3" vs 3.3"
Help
 2.6x thinner
Weight Lighter 297 g vs 500 g
Help
 More than 40% lighter
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 830 ISO vs 591 ISO
Help
 The NEX-3 has a slight edge (0.5 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Focus points More focus points 25 vs 15
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Battery life Slightly longer battery life 330 shots vs 270 shots
Help
 More than 20% more shots per battery charge
Lowest price Cheaper $448.00 vs $848.23
Help
 The best price we've seen is $400 cheaper (around 50% less)
Sony Alpha NEX-3 Learn more about
the Sony NEX-3

Advantages of the Sony SLT-A33
Autofocus Faster autofocus Phase detection vs Contrast detection
Help
 Catch candid moments easily
Image stabilization Image stabilization Sensor shift vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Autofocus Faster video autofocus Phase detection vs Contrast detection
Help
 Shoot videos without worrying about focus
Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 30fps
Help
 Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video
Lens availability Significantly more lenses available 92 lenses vs 8 lenses
Help
 11.5x more lenses available
Shutter lag Less shutter lag 215 ms vs 670 ms
Help
 3.1x less delay when taking photos
Built-in flash Built-in flash Yes vs No
Help
 A built-in flash is useful for taking indoor shots where there is little light
Viewfinder Has a viewfinder Digital vs None
Help
 A viewfinder can help save battery life by keeping the screen turned off
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality 70.0 vs 68.0
Help
 Almost the same
Light sensitivity (boost) Has boost ISO 25,600 ISO vs None
Help
 Allows taking photos in darker situations, often at the cost of additional noise in the image
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.6 EV vs 12 EV
Help
 0.6 f-stops more dynamic range
Color depth Better color depth 22.8 bits vs 22.1 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.7 more bits of color
Startup delay Slightly less startup delay 800 ms vs 1000 ms
Help
 20% less delay when turning on
Cross type focus points Slightly more cross-type focus points 3 vs 0
Help
 Grab focus in difficult situations
Sony SLT-A33 Learn more about
the Sony SLT-A33
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Sony Alpha NEX-3 Sony Alpha NEX-3
43 vs 49
Explain scores
Sony SLT-A33 Sony SLT-A33
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Sony SLT-A33. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a mirrorless interchangeable-lens with a entry-level DSLR.

similarities

Compared to recent digital cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
External mic jack You can plug a microphone into both of these Help
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
Screen flips out Flip-out screens Help
Great for movies
Sensor size Large sensors Help
NEX-3:APS-C 23.4x15.6mm
SLT-A33:APS-C 23.5x15.6mm
3D 3D photos Help
View photos in 3D on 3D televisions
HDR In-camera HDR Help
Combines multiple exposures
Light sensitivity Very good maximum light sensitivity Help
12,800 ISO
Interchangeable lenses Both support interchangeable lenses, which is uncommon in cameras similar to these Help
Many lenses to choose from
Movie continuous focus Focus continuously recording movies Help
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
Panorama In-camera panoramas Help
Stitches together multiple photos into a panorama
True resolution Capture very high resolution images Help
14 MP
Supports RAW Supports RAW Help
Better editing
Dynamic range Good dynamic range Help
NEX-3:12 EV
SLT-A33:12.6 EV
Startup delay Minimal startup delay Help
NEX-3:1000 ms
SLT-A33:800 ms
Sensor cleaning Self cleaning sensors Help
Avoids dust in your photos
External flash Support external flash Help
Better lighting
Sensor type Better sensor types Help
Better in low light
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/4000 of a second
Cross type focus points Few cross-type focus points Help
NEX-3:0
SLT-A33:3

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony Alpha NEX-5

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$656 with 18-55mm lens
External mic jack Lacks and external mic jack
Shutter lag Has slightly more shutter lag
Compare the Alpha NEX-5 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Compare the Alpha NEX-5 vs the SLT-A33
Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5N

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$650 - $699 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Light sensitivity Significantly higher maximum light sensitivity
External mic jack Lacks and external mic jack
Startup delay Has slightly more startup delay
Compare the NEX-5N vs the Alpha NEX-3
Compare the NEX-5N vs the SLT-A33
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$447 - $740 with 18-55mm lens
Supports 24p Records movies in 24p
Lens availability Significantly more lenses available
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the D3100 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Compare the D3100 vs the SLT-A33
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$497 body only

$597 - $805 with 18-55mm lens
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the D5100 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Compare the D5100 vs the SLT-A33
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$549 body only

$599 - $649 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Supports 24p Records movies in 24p
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the Alpha NEX-3
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the SLT-A33
Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$332 body only

$449 - $499 with 18-55mm lens
Startup delay Has slightly less startup delay
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available
Sensor cleaning Lacks a self cleaning sensor
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the SLT-A33
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$547 with 18-55mm lens
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
True resolution Takes much higher resolution photos
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the D3200 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Compare the D3200 vs the SLT-A33

Sony Alpha NEX-3 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony NEX-F3

Sony NEX-F3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$379 - $730 with 18-55mm lens
Supports 24p Supports 24p
Movie format Higher resolution movies
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Movie continuous focus Doesn't focus continuously recording movies
Compare the NEX-F3 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Nikon 1 J1

Nikon 1 J1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$379 - $497 with 10-30mm lens
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Continuous shooting Shoots much faster
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
Compare the 1 J1 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Sony NEX C3

Sony NEX C3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$549 with 16mm lens
Overall image quality Better image quality
True resolution Higher true resolution
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Storage slots Has fewer storage slots
Compare the NEX C3 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Sony Alpha NEX-6

Sony Alpha NEX-6

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$748 body only

$898 with 16-50mm lens
Autofocus Faster autofocus
Supports 24p Supports 24p
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
3D Doesn't take 3D photos
Compare the Alpha NEX-6 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Sony Alpha NEX-3N

Sony Alpha NEX-3N

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$448 with 16-50mm lens
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Supports 24p Supports 24p
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Storage slots Has fewer storage slots
Compare the Alpha NEX-3N vs the Alpha NEX-3

Sony SLT-A33 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony SLT-A37

Sony SLT-A37

Entry-level DSLR

$482 - $600 with 18-55mm lens
Supports 24p Supports 24p
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity
Screen size Much smaller screen
Startup delay Slightly more startup delay
Compare the SLT-A37 vs the SLT-A33
Sony SLT A35

Sony SLT A35

Entry-level DSLR

$446 - $1,052 with 18-55mm lens
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality
Battery life Longer battery life
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly slower
Compare the SLT A35 vs the SLT-A33
Sony SLT-A55

Sony SLT-A55

Entry-level DSLR

$1,098 body only

$1,193 with 18-55mm lens
GPS Has a GPS
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality
Startup delay Slightly more startup delay
Lowest price Slightly more expensive
Compare the SLT-A55 vs the SLT-A33
Sony SLT A57

Sony SLT A57

Entry-level DSLR

$460 - $499 body only

$519 - $539 with 18-55mm lens
Supports 24p Supports 24p
Battery life Significantly longer battery life
Size Slightly larger
Weight Heavier
Compare the SLT A57 vs the SLT-A33

appearance

Sony Alpha NEX-3 Sony SLT-A33
Sony Alpha NEX-3 Sony SLT-A33
Sony Alpha NEX-3 Sony SLT-A33

discussion

Showing 2 comments

Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (2:30 PM, September 15, 2010)
Thanks for pointing those out! We've fixed #1 and #2 for both the SLT-A33 and SLT-A55.

You also mentioned that the NEX3 lenses have optical stabilization. Snapsort only compares built in image stabilization, since some lenses are stabilized and others aren't. From what I can tell, only 2 of the 3 NEX lenses have image stabilization (steady shot as Sony calls it), and there are image stabilized lenses available for the SLT-A33 and other Sony DSLRs too.
 
El Guesto (10:40 AM, September 15, 2010)
Uhm... Quite a few mistakes:

1. The NEX3 has a flip-out LCD. It articulates.
2. The NEX3 can AF in video mode.
3. The NEX3 lenses have optical stabilization.