- Conclusion Get the lowdown
- Features How it compares
- Performance Real world benchmarks
- Differences Technical showdown
- Reviews Word on the street
- Competition Others to consider
- Discussion Answers and opinions
Sony NEX-3
- 14 MP
- APS-C CMOS
- 3" LCD
Released May, 2010
Rated 70% by by DPReview (Jun, 2010)The NEX-3 shoots 720p HD video at 30fps (actually the industry-standard 29.796 fps) in MP4 format.
Conclusion Check out the Sony NEX-3
First reviewed December, 2011
Features Key features of the Sony NEX-3
14 MP
APS-C
megapixels
| 0 MP | 14 MP    | 30 MP |
NEX-3 by Colin-Brown--Colin-Brown-Microsoft-MVP (Apr, 2013)The NEX-3NL is a 16.1 Megapixel camera which comes in at the lower end of todays cameras (the NEX 7 for example does 24 megapixel images), however it more than makes up for this with its full size Exmor sensor.
NEX-3 by Colin-Brown--Colin-Brown-Microsoft-MVP (Apr, 2013)As an example, I have uploaded a side by side image showing the difference in quality between a modern 20 megapixel compact and the NEX-3NL.
sensor size
NEX-3 by E.-J-Tastad--ejt (Apr, 2013)It was a great camera, nice large grip for a small little camera, huge APS-C sensor, ability to use any manual focus lenses from any camera mount, and SLR image quality in a tiny little package.
NEX-3 by Colin-Brown--Colin-Brown-Microsoft-MVP (Apr, 2013)This camera takes first rate DSLR quality pictures (thanks mainly to the full size sensor).
body size
117 x 62 x 33 mm
124 x 97 x 74 mm
88 x 51 x 22 mm
NEX-3 by Colin-Brown--Colin-Brown-Microsoft-MVP (Apr, 2013)Overall this is an outstanding little camera from Sony and one that I would very highly recommend to anyone except perhaps the true professional photographer.
NEX-3 by KrogueOverall I'm very happy with this camera and I highly recommend it to my other point-and-shoot friends who want amazing pictures, in a coat-pocket sized camera without the complexity and a great price.
focus points
| 0 | 135   | 200 |
NEX-3 by DPReview (Jun, 2010)The manual AF point selection mode is one of the better aspects of the camera's interface, with the bottom button giving immediate access to AF point movement, making it quick and easy.
NEX-3 by DPReview (Jun, 2010)A detailed and easily repositionable magnified live view area (that remembers where you positioned it, if you want to take multiple shots), makes it easy to use a large range of old manual focus lenses with what is probably the best sensor in any current mirrorless interchangeable lens camera.
Performance Real world tests of Sony NEX-3
DxOMark image quality
NEX-3 by DPReview (Jun, 2010)The image quality of the NEXs is generally good with punchy colors and plenty of detail.
NEX-3 by chelszillaIt also takes extremely sharp pictures in good light, doing the blurry background thing that is really cool, too.
DxOMark low light performance
NEX-3 by TrustedReviews (May, 2011)The following were all shot as maximum quality JPEGs under available natural light, with default camera settings applied to ensure a level playing field between this and rival models.
NEX-3 by K.-Stancil (Apr, 2013)The camera contains a large sensor capable of taking beautiful shots even in low lights.
shutter lag
| 0 ms | 223 ms | 100 ms |
NEX-3 by Mary-Jo-Sminkey--15-years-of-Amazon-ReviewsI don't expect a whole lot better with this camera either, it's really hard to beat a DSLR when it comes to speed, and from the specs on this camera in terms of shutter lag, it's still not going to be able to do a great job at capturing action, other than just trying to fire off a lot of shots at once and hope for the best.
NEX-3 by Photography Blog (Sep, 2010)The Sony NEX-3's maximum shutter speed is 30 seconds and there's also a Bulb mode for even longer exposures, which is excellent news if you're seriously interested in night photography.
continuous shooting
NEX-3 by DPReview (Jun, 2010)After a burst of shots, it's not uncommon for the camera to slow right down until it's finished writing to the card - it'll let you enter playback mode but can stick unresponsivley on some images until it's finished writing.
NEX-3 by DPReview (Jun, 2010)The situation is improved slightly in continuous shooting mode, with the preview image appearing more quickly but, if you don't try to shoot immediately, you can still have to wait until the camera feels like responding.
battery life
330 photos
550 photos
130 photos
NEX-3 by WPtree (Dec, 2010)Other than that... the battery life improved greatly when I downloaded the firmware update from Sony.
Our analysis How does it stack up against its top 10 competitors
pros
-
Contrast detection focusing system -
HD video -
Generic -
920 k dots -
Great for recording movies -
3.5mm -
Create 3D photos to view on a 3D TV -
1,000 ms -
Combines multiple photos together to capture both bright and dark areas -
Stitches together multiple photos into a single ultra-wide view -
33 mm -
117 x 62 x 33 mm
cons
-
HD video -
4.99 fps -
0 -
May, 2010 -
None -
Use buttons to access features and menus -
Taking quality photos in low-light will require external hardware -
0 -
14 MP -
Won't have that film look
Reviews Word on the street
 |  
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|---|---|
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|
 |
|
 | Rated by 58 users at amazon.com Rated 80% by by Jeffrey-D.-Doan Rated 100% by by metalcamera (May, 2012) |
Lens
Sony NEX-3 | Rated 80% by by Naomi-(Storm) (May, 2013)The lens itself is reminiscent of a "pancake" style, very small footprint (for lenses anyway), very solid feel.
Sony NEX-3 | Rated 80% by by Photography Blog (Sep, 2010)Viewed on the desktop there's an overall softness to the NEX-3's images that we hadn't expected - a soft sheen rather than digital crispness - which could well be down to the all-purpose nature of the zoom lens we had in for testing as much as sensor performance.
Sony NEX-3 | Rated 80% by by Mary-Jo-Sminkey--15-years-of-Amazon-ReviewsWhen needed, you can still take control of all the typical settings you would expect: white balance, ISO, shutter speed, aperture, etc.The power zoom lens is the big feature of this camera, and makes it far more compact than earlier models.
Sensor
Sony NEX-3 | Rated 80% by by Jeffrey-StanleyIt takes decent shots even at high ISOs (up to 1600 look very sharp).
Sony NEX-3 | Rated 70% by by DPReview (Jun, 2010)Here we look at the RAW files processed through Adobe Camera Raw (in this case version 6.2 Beta).
Sony NEX-3 | Rated 80% by by John-S.-Dean--JohnYou can set image size to STD, FINE, RAW + Fine JPG, or just RAW.
Image quality
Sony NEX-3 | Rated 80% by by E.-J-Tastad--ejt (Apr, 2013)The image quality for such a small package is amazing.
Sony NEX-3 | Rated 100% by by Daniel-Rivero--.-DRH-. (May, 2013)The camera is not perfect, one needs to get used to the menu but overall navigation is pretty quick and easy once one gets used to it... Image quality in one word, wow!
Sony NEX-3 | Rated 70% by by DPReview (Jun, 2010)In addition to multi-shot modes to boost dynamic range, both NEX models feature a pair of multi-shot modes for shooting in low light.
Screen
Sony NEX-3 | Rated 100% by by John-B.-Butler-Jr.--jksed (Apr, 2011)Frankly however if you shoot travel photos outdoors in sunlight, you would need to be a very fussy person to care about the improvement in picture quality between this sensor and a decent point and shoot camera.
Sony NEX-3 | Rated 80% by by TrustedReviews (May, 2011)Its maker suggests the LCD's TruBlack technology allows for easier viewing in all shooting conditions and certainly, when we were using the NEX-3 outdoors with the sun almost directly overhead, we didn't experience visibility problems.
Sony NEX-3 | Rated 100% by by John-B.-Butler-Jr.--jksed (Apr, 2011)Yes it is sharper even outdoors in bright light, but frankly not enough to make the upgrade worthwhile for me, but that is a personal choice.
Flash
Sony NEX-3 | Rated 70% by by DPReview (Jun, 2010)The NEXs don't feature a built-in flash, but do come supplied with a tiny external unit, which draws its power from the camera's main battery - bolt-in, if you like.
Sony NEX-3 | Rated 60% by by J.-Bowman--Bookworm (Mar, 2011)I loved that flash could be turned on or off instantly by raising or lowering the physical flash module.
Sony NEX-3 | Rated 100% by by falstaff (May, 2013)Low-light performance has been fantastic, even without the flash.
Competition What else you should consider
 | 1 | Sony NEX-7 Best image quality as rated by DXOMark NEX-7 vs NEX-3 |
 | 2 | Nikon D3100 OK cross-type focus points Nikon D3100 vs Sony NEX-3 |
 | 3 | Olympus PEN E-PL1 2-way tie: Long long exposure Olympus PEN E-PL1 vs Sony NEX-3 |
 | 4 | Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3 More contrast-detection focus points Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3 vs Sony NEX-3 |
 | 5 | Nikon 1 J1 Fastest rapid fire mode Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-3 |
 | 6 | Sony Alpha NEX-6 Highest ISO Alpha NEX-6 vs NEX-3 |
 | 7 | Samsung NX1000 Largest sensor Samsung NX1000 vs Sony NEX-3 |
New duel?
Let the battle continue or dare to compare.
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