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Sony NEX-3

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How it works?
  1. User ratingsUser ratingsratings of product added by Productz users
  2. Expert ratingsExpert ratingsexperts ratings from editorial reviews
  3. Consumer ratingsConsumer ratingsratings from the biggest online stores worldwide
Legend
  1. Excellent
  2. Good
  3. Poor
  4. Average
4.1
based on all reviews
User ratings:
41
4.2 out of 5
41 user ratings
5 stars
34 %
4 stars
53 %
3 stars
12 %
2 stars
0 %
1 stars
0 %
Editorial reviews:
21
  1. See more
4.0 out of 5
12 user ratings
5 stars
25 %
4 stars
66 %
3 stars
8 %
2 stars
0 %
1 stars
0 %
Read editorial reviews

Pros

  • Noise is fairly unobtrusive up to ISO 6400
  • it really grabs the scene
  • great for landscapes

Cons

  • Only the battery is a little weak on the chest
  • Lack of a viewfinder can be problematic
  • Sony NEX-3 have built-in GPS

Key specs

  • CMOS
  • APS-C
  • 23.4x15.6 mm
  • 14 Mpx
  • 4592, 3056 px
  • Sony E
  • 3.5
  • Center, Continuous, Flexible, Multi point, Single
  • 3.0 in
  • no

Compare technical data of the product to its category

Sony

Sony NEX-3 - Pros & Cons

Sony NEX-3

Pros

  • Noise is fairly unobtrusive up to ISO 6400
  • it really grabs the scene
  • great for landscapes
  • Focus is fast and fairly accurate
  • Color and contrast are still quite good
  • Focus is also fairly fast
  • smooth but seems flat and reasonably in-focus
  • style and a sturdy build
  • reasonably inexpensive optics open up budding videographers to new levels of
  • responsiveness is very quick
  • The design is very human

Cons

  • Only the battery is a little weak on the chest
  • Lack of a viewfinder can be problematic
  • Sony NEX-3 have built-in GPS
  • Sony NEX-3 have Touch Screen
  • doesn't have any connections for external microphones and headphones
  • Does the Sony NEX-3 have Weather Sealing
  • do not make use of the Alpha lens mount
  • the resulting image is of fairly low resolution
  • images are soft at the default sharpening setting
  • too small to include in-body image stabilization units
  • compact flash card)

Sony NEX-3 - Technical Overview

PoorAverageGoodExcellent
IconScreen size
3 in
Best:
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W710
Screen size: 6.7 in
IconISO maximum
16000
Best:
Pentax KP
ISO maximum: 819200
IconEffective pixels
14 Mpx
Best:
Hasselblad H6D-100c
Effective pixels: 100 Mpx
IconMax resolution
4592 x 3056 px
Best:
Leica M11
Max resolution: 9528 x 6328 px

Sony - Video Reviews (5)

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Sony NEX-3 - Full Specifications

Icon
Sensor
Sensor typeCMOS
Image sensor formatAPS-C
Sensor size0.92 in
Sensor photo detectors15.0 Mpx
Effective pixels14.0 Mpx
Image ratio w:h
  • 3:2
  • 16:9
Max resolution4592 x 3056 px
Other resolutions
  • 4592x2576
  • 3344x2224
  • 3344x1872
  • 2288x1520
  • 2288x1280
ProcessorBIONZ
Icon
Optics and focus
Lens mountSony E
Maximum aperture3.5
Focus adjustmentAuto
Focal length multiplier1.5x
Autofocus
  • Center
  • Continuous
  • Flexible
  • Multi point
  • Single
Auto Focus (AF) lockyes
Manual focusyes
Auto Focus (AF) assist beamyes
Number of focus points25
Filter diameter1.93 in
Icon
Photography features
Camera shutter typeElectronic
Minimum shutter speed30.0 s
Maximum shutter speed1.0 s
Shutter priorityyes
Aperture priorityyes
Manual exposure modeyes
Exposure compensation plus2
Exposure compensation minus-2
Expousure compensation steps1/3
Self-timer delay
  • 2
  • 10
Histogramyes
WB BracketingNo
Subject / scene modesyes
Built-in flashyes
Flash range12
Flash modes
  • Auto
  • Fill-in Flash
  • Pre-flash
  • Redeye Reduction
  • Slow Sync
External flashyes
Continuous drive7.0 fps
Scene modes
  • Portrait
  • Sunset
  • Landscape
Self-timeryes
Metering modes
  • Multi
  • Center-weighted
  • Spot
3D supportyes
Self-timer options
  • 2
  • 10
Icon
Audio features
Built-in microphoneyes
Microphone typeStereo
Voice recordingyes
Supported audio file formatsAAC
Icon
Dimensions
Weight8.43 oz
Width4.61 in
Height2.46 in
Depth1.36 in
Icon
Power
Power source typeBattery
Battery life (CIPA)330
Battery technology
Lithium-Ion
Battery capacity1080.0 mAh
Number of batteries supported1
AC adapter includedyes
Icon
Other features
Timelapse recordingno
GPSno
Orientation sensoryes
Calendaryes
Date imprintingyes
Energy Star certifiedno
Frameyes
On Screen Display (OSD) languages
  • CZE
  • DAN
  • DEU
  • DUT
  • ENG
  • FIN
  • FRE
  • GRE
  • HUN
  • ITA
  • NOR
  • POL
  • POR
  • RUS
  • SWE
  • TUR
Image editing modesRotating
Icon
Image
ISO
  • 200
  • 400
  • 800
  • 1600
  • 3200
  • 6400
  • 12800
ISO Autoyes
ISO minimum100
ISO maximum16000
Maximum image resolution4912 x 3264 px
White balance presets6
White balance modes
  • Auto
  • Cloudy
  • Custom
  • Daylight
  • Flash
  • Fluorescent
  • Incandescent
  • Shade
Custom white balanceyes
Supported image file formats
  • EXIF
  • JPG
  • RAW
Photo effects
  • Black&White
  • Vivid
Image stabilizeryes
Image stabilization typeNo
Supported aspect ratios
  • 3:2
  • 16:9
Uncompressed formatRAW
Icon
Screen and viewfinder
Screen size3.0 in
Articulated LCDyes
Screen technologyLCD TFT
Screen dots920000
Touch screenno
Field of view100.0 %
Live viewyes
ViewfinderNone
Viewfinder magnification0.3 x
Icon
Videography features
Maximum resolution1920 x 1080 px
Video recordingno
Recording resolutions
  • 640 x 480
  • 1440 x 1080
  • 1920 x 1080
HD typeFull HD
Supported video file formats
  • AVCHD
  • H.264
  • MP4
  • MPEG-4
Camera playback
  • Movie
  • Single image
Motion JPEG frame rate30.0 fps
Icon
Design
Body typeSLR
Body materialPlastic
Colour of product
  • Black
  • Red
  • Silver
  • White
Environmentally sealedno
Icon
Storage
Compatible memory cards
  • MS PRO
  • SD
  • SDHC
  • SDXC
Memory slots1
Storage types
  • SD
  • SDHC
  • SDXC
  • Memory Stick Pro Duo
  • Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Camera file system
  • DCF 2.0
  • DPOF 1.1
  • Exif 2.3
Icon
Connectivity
Mini Type Cyes
HDMI ports quantity1
HDMI connector typeMini
USB version2.0
WirelessEye-Fi Connected
DC-in jackyes
PictBridgeno

Sony NEX-3 - Q&A

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Sony NEX-3 Sony - Editorial Reviews (21)

4.0
Based on 21 reviews
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
Sony NEX-3 Sony NEX-3 Review | Photography Blog
photographyblog.com logo
photographyblog.com
Published: 10.09.2010
Sony NEX-3 Review | Photography Blog
4.0

The NEX-3 is the second mirrorless system camera from Sony and the baby brother of the NEX-5. With a 14 megapixel APS HD CMOS sensor, 720p HD movies, high-res 3 inch tilting screen and external flash, the plastic-bodied NEX-3 undercuts the NEX-5 in terms of price but offers virtually all of the same features. Find out if it can match the performance and image quality too in our in-depth Sony NEX-3 review, complete with sample JPEGs, RAW files, and movies.

Sony NEX-3 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Photo Review logo
Photo Review
Published: 17.02.2012
Sony Alpha NEX-3
4.3

A sister model to Sony's NEX-5 interchangeable-lens camera with the ability to record 720p HD video clips with stereo soundtracks.The main difference between Sony's NEX-3 and the more expensive NEX-5 model we reviewed in June lies in the video recording system. Whereas the NEX-5 uses the AVCHD format and can record Dolby Digital soundtracks, the NEX-3 uses the less efficient MP4 compression system for video and MPEG-4 AAC-LC for audio. The NEX-5 is also Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) compliant while top video resolution for the NEX-3 is 1280 x 720 pixels.

Sony NEX-3 Sony NEX-3N review
TechRadar logo
TechRadar
Published: 01.05.2013
Sony NEX-3N review
4.0

World's smallest and lightest APS-C CSC

Sony NEX-3 Review: Sony NEX-3N | Reviews | Gadgets
GQ India logo
GQ India
Published: 10.07.2013
Review: Sony NEX-3N | Reviews | Gadgets

GQ India : Sony NEX-3N has a Small and lightweight, tilting screen, APS-C sensor, impressive image quality, priced at Rs 29,990.

Sony NEX-3 Sony NEX-3N Review
Imaging Resource logo
Imaging Resource
Published: 25.02.2013
Sony NEX-3N Review
4.0

Is the Sony NEX-3N the 'perfect' mirrorless camera for under $500? Read our in-depth Sony NEX-3N review to find out!

Sony NEX-3 Sony NEX 3N Hands-on Preview
DPReview logo
DPReview
Published: 25.02.2013
Sony NEX 3N Hands-on Preview

Hands-on preview of Sony's NEX-3N.

Sony NEX-3 Sony Alpha NEX-3N Review
Digit.in/hi/ logo
Digit.in/hi/
Published: 03.06.2013
Sony Alpha NEX-3N Review
4.0

Read the in depth Review of Sony Alpha NEX-3N Digital Cameras. Know detailed info about Sony Alpha NEX-3N configuration, design and performance quality along with pros & cons, Digit rating, verdict based on user opinions/feedback.

Sony NEX-3 Entry-Level Mirrorless Camera Roundup (2013)
DPReview logo
DPReview
Published: 30.11.2013
Entry-Level Mirrorless Camera Roundup (2013)

What point-and-shootable mirrorless camera should I buy?

Sony NEX-3 Sony NEX-3N Review | Photography Blog
photographyblog.com logo
photographyblog.com
Published: 10.06.2013
Sony NEX-3N Review | Photography Blog
4.5

The NEX-3N is Sony's new entry-level compact system camera for 2013. Billed as the "world’s smallest, lightest interchangeable lens camera", the NEX-3N is also one of the cheapest mirrorless cameras on the market. It features a 16 megapixel APS-C sensor, 1080i HD movies, 3 inch tilting screen and built-in flash. Read our in-depth Sony NEX-3N review, complete with sample JPEGs, RAW files and movies.

Sony NEX-3 Sony NEX-3N review
portablegear.nl logo
portablegear.nl
Sony NEX-3N review

In het Sony NEX-3N productdossier lees je alles over de NEX-3N. Lees wat de NEX-3N allemaal kan op onze review- en specificatiepagina.

Sony NEX-3 NEX 3-5 review
kurtmunger.com logo
kurtmunger.com
NEX 3-5 review

Sony NEX mirrorless camera reviews and comparisons.

Sony NEX-3 Sony NEX-3
CNET logo
CNET
Published: 30.07.2010
Sony NEX-3

The 14.2-megapixel NEX-3 is a good option for those seeking a compact camera with interchangeable lenses. It's about £100 cheaper than its big brother, the NEX-5, but there are no serious compromises, and it will probably suit novice shooters well

Sony NEX-3 Sony Alpha NEX-3N Review
PCMAG logo
PCMAG
Published: 12.04.2013
Sony Alpha NEX-3N Review
4.0

The Sony Alpha NEX-3N isn't as good a performer as its predecessor, but it does include a collapsible power zoom lens and it comes at a lower price.

Sony NEX-3 Sony NEX-F3 review
The Verge logo
The Verge
Published: 08.06.2012
Sony NEX-F3 review
3.6

Big sensor, small camera, friendly price

Sony NEX-3 Sony Alpha NEX-3: Digital Photography Review
DPReview logo
DPReview
Published: 07.06.2010
Sony Alpha NEX-3: Digital Photography Review
3.5

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