Sony NEX-3N PDF User Manual
Did you lose or misplace the instruction manual that came with your Sony Alpha NEX-3N? It happens all too easily, but fortunately Sony makes a soft copy available that you can browse through online, print out, or download (see the pdf file below). It is certainly good practice to carefully familiarize oneself with the many different functionalities and options that the NEX-3N offers, and the official user manual is without doubt an authoritative and comprehensive source of respective information.
That said, the instruction booklet can be a dry read, so that a dedicated camera guide book from a professional photographer that illustrates the camera's core functions in a real life photography context can be a very helpful complement. Yes, getting one of these camera guides (see here at amazon) would involve an additional expense, but if that book helps to exploit the camera's potential to the full, the (small) additional investment may well be worth it.
Also, you might want to check out the video tutorial on the Sony Alpha NEX-3N below.
In any case, the NEX-3N is an advanced imaging tool, whose many features merit serious attention. This mirrorless interchangeable lens camera was officially introduced on February 20th, 2013, which means that, as of today, the camera is 4081 days old (young?). The camera has meanwhile been discontinued and was succeeded by the Sony A5000 as a replacement in the same line of cameras.
Sony's handbook for the NEX-3N
The camera's handbook is 198 pages long. The pdf version is embedded below. As you browse through, you will hopefully find the information you are looking for. You can also print out a hard copy by right clicking on the manual and then choosing the respective menu option. For convenience, a summary of the key specs of the NEX-3N is included towards the bottom of this webpage.
Don't forget to bookmark this page for future reference (Ctrl-Shift-D on a Windows PC; Cmd-Shift-D on a Mac). Happy browsing!
Click on the button below to download the pdf version of the Sony Alpha NEX-3N manual to your computer. The file will open in a new browser window.
If you prefer to read the user guide in another language, please check the respective availability on Sony's support site. That site also provides complementary online resources, such as information on the compatibility of various camera accessories or the availability of firmware updates that are not necessarily comprehensively covered in the instruction manual.
Printed, hardcopy versions of the Sony NEX-3N manual can sometimes be found online. You can check the availability on amazon and ebay via the buttons below.
Video tutorial for the Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Perhaps instead of reading through a manual or operations guide, you might prefer to better familiarize yourself with your NEX-3N by watching a video tutorial. It can notably help to quickly get to know the key functions and to set up your camera according to your particular preferences and needs.
Once again, the Sony NEX-3N is a sophisticated imaging tool and not exploiting its capabilities to the full would be a pity. Hence, taking the time to study online information material or to read through a well-written camera guide book is highly recommended to make the most of your purchase.
Sony NEX-3N FAQ
Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the NEX-3N.
What is the technology behind the imaging sensor in the Sony NEX-3N?
The camera features a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.
Which image processing chip is used in the Sony NEX-3N to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?
Sony equipped the NEX-3N with the BIONZ image processor.
What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Sony NEX-3N?
The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 16000.
Can the Sony NEX-3N be equipped with an optional viewfinder?
Yes, Sony provides the FDA-SV1 as an accessory (here on amazon) that can be mounted on the hotshoe.
Does the Sony NEX-3N have a selfie-friendly screen?
Yes, the LCD-screen of the NEX-3N is flexible and can be turned to be front-facing for capturing selfies.
What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Sony Alpha NEX-3N?
Sony does not publish a shutter rating for the NEX-3N. Yet, shutters in comparable cameras from other manufacturers are said to be good for at least 100 000 actuations. It should be noted, though, that this number represents a Mean Time before Failure. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust an expected shutter life of 100 000 shots over, say, three years, one would have to take about 100 pictures each and every day.
How do I find the shutter count on my Sony NEX-3N?
Sony embeds the number of shutter actuations in image metadata. You can check the number of shots that your NEX-3N has taken up to now by uploading a recent image to the free online shutter count finder app.
Is it difficult to use manual focus lenses with the Sony NEX-3N?
The NEX-3N offers focus peaking as a manual focus aid. This feature works by placing a colored highlight on in-focus zones within the image.
Does the Sony NEX-3N feature an autofocus assist light?
Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.
What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Sony NEX-3N for flash photography?
The NEX-3N's flash sync speed is 1/160 sec.
Which battery does the Sony NEX-3N use?
The camera gets its power from the Sony NP-FW50 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.
Further reading
How does the NEX-3N stack up against available alternatives? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities with other camera models, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.
- Canon 5D Mark III vs Sony NEX-3N
- Canon 70D vs Sony NEX-3N
- Canon R6 vs Sony A9 II
- Fujifilm X-E3 vs Sony A9 II
- Kodak AZ901 vs Sony NEX-3N
- Leica M-E Typ 240 vs Sony NEX-3N
- Panasonic GX9 vs Sony NEX-3N
- Pentax K-30 vs Sony A9 II
- Sony A7R IIIA vs Sony A9 II
- Sony A9 II vs Sony RX100 IV
- Sony A9 II vs Sony RX100 V
- Sony NEX-3N vs Sony RX100 VII
Core camera specifications
Here is a list of the main features and technical characteristics of the Sony Alpha NEX-3N.
Camera Model | Sony NEX-3N | |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Mirrorless system camera | |
Camera Lens | Sony E mount lenses | |
Launch Date | February 2013 | |
Launch Price | USD 499 | |
Sensor Specs | ||
Sensor Technology | CMOS | |
Sensor Format | APS-C Sensor | |
Sensor Size | 23.4 x 15.6 mm | |
Sensor Area | 365 mm2 | |
Sensor Diagonal | 28.1 mm | |
Crop Factor | 1.5x | |
Sensor Resolution | 16 Megapixels | |
Image Resolution | 4 912 x 3 264 pixels | |
Pixel Pitch | 4.78 μm | |
Pixel Density | 4.39 MP/cm2 | |
Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | |
Movie Capability | 1080/60i Video | |
ISO Setting | 200 - 16 000 ISO | |
Image Processor | BIONZ | |
DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 74 | |
DXO Color Depth (bits) | 22.8 | |
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 12.5 | |
DXO Low Light (ISO) | 1067 | |
Screen Specs | ||
Viewfinder Type | Viewfinder optional | |
Top-Level Screen | no Top Display | |
LCD Framing | Live View | |
LCD Size | 3.0 inch | |
LCD Resolution | 460k dots | |
LCD Attachment | Tilting screen | |
V-logging Friendliness | Front-flip possible | |
Touch Input | No touchscreen | |
Shooting Specs | ||
Focus System | Contrast-detect AF | |
Manual Focusing Aid | Focus Peaking | |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000s | |
Continuous Shooting | 4 shutter flaps/s | |
Shutter Life Expectancy | 100 000 actuations | |
Silent Shooting | no E-Shutter | |
Time Lapse Photography | no Intervalometer | |
Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | |
Storage Medium | MS or SDXC cards | |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | |
UHS card support | no | |
Connectivity Specs | ||
External Flash | no Hotshoe | |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | |
HDMI Port | micro HDMI | |
Wifi Support | no Wifi | |
Body Specs | ||
Battery Type | Sony NP-FW50 power pack | |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 480 shots per charge | |
Body Dimensions |
110 x 62 x 35 mm (4.3 x 2.4 x 1.4 in) |
|
Camera Weight | 269 g (9.5 oz) |
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