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Sony NEX-3 vs Canon 1D X Mark II

The Sony Alpha NEX-3 and the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in May 2010 and February 2016. The NEX-3 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the 1DX Mark II is a DSLR. The cameras are based on an APS-C (NEX-3) and a full frame (1DX Mark II) sensor. The Sony has a resolution of 14 megapixels, whereas the Canon provides 20 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Sony NEX-3
versus
Canon 1D X Mark II
Sony NEX-3   Canon 1D X Mark II
Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
Sony E mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
14 MP – APS-C sensor 20 MP – Full Frame sensor
720/30p Video 4K/60p Video
ISO 200-12,800 ISO 100-51,200 (50 - 409,600)
Viewfinder optional Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 920k dots 3.2" LCD – 1620k dots
Tilting screen (no touchscreen) Fixed touchscreen
7 shutter flaps per second 16 shutter flaps per second
not weather sealedWeathersealed body
330 shots per battery charge1210 shots per battery charge
117 x 62 x 33 mm, 297 g 158 x 168 x 83 mm, 1530 g
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Check NEX-3 offers at
ebay.com
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Check 1DX Mark II offers at
ebay.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Sony Alpha NEX-3 and the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Sony NEX-3 and the Canon 1D X Mark II are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The NEX-3 can be obtained in three different colors (black, silver, red), while the 1DX Mark II is only available in black.

Size Sony NEX-3 vs Canon 1D X Mark II
Compare NEX-3 versus 1DX Mark II top
Comparison NEX-3 or 1DX Mark II rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon 1D X Mark II is considerably larger (266 percent) than the Sony NEX-3. Moreover, the 1DX Mark II is substantially heavier (415 percent) than the NEX-3. It is noteworthy in this context that the 1DX Mark II is splash and dust-proof, while the NEX-3 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Sony E-Mount Lens Catalog (NEX-3) and the Canon EF Lens Catalog (1DX Mark II). Mirrorless cameras, such as the Sony NEX-3, have moreover the advantage that they have a relatively short flange to focal plane distance and can thus use many lenses from other systems via adapters.

Concerning battery life, the NEX-3 gets 330 shots out of its Sony NP-FW50 battery, while the 1DX Mark II can take 1210 images on a single charge of its Canon LP-E19 power pack. As can be seen in the images above, the 1DX Mark II has a battery grip built in. This facilitates image-taking in portrait orientation and gives it additional battery power.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Sony NEX-3 117 mm 62 mm 33 mm 297 g 330 n May 2010 599ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 1D X Mark II 158 mm 168 mm 83 mm 1530 g 1210 Y Feb 2016 5,999ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark III 158 mm 168 mm 83 mm 1440 g 2850 Y Jan 2020 6,499 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon 6D Mark II 144 mm 111 mm 75 mm 765 g 1200 Y Jun 2017 1,999 amazon.com
5.
 
Canon 5DS 152 mm 116 mm 76 mm 930 g 700 Y Feb 2015 3,699ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 1D X 158 mm 168 mm 83 mm 1551 g 1120 Y Oct 2011 6,799ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D5 160 mm 159 mm 92 mm 1415 g 3780 Y Jan 2016 6,499ebay.com
8.
 
Sony A5100 110 mm 63 mm 36 mm 283 g 400 n Aug 2014 549ebay.com
9.
 
Sony A6000 120 mm 67 mm 45 mm 344 g 360 n Feb 2014 599ebay.com
10.
 
Sony NEX-3N 110 mm 62 mm 35 mm 269 g 480 n Feb 2013 499ebay.com
11.
 
Sony NEX-5T 111 mm 59 mm 39 mm 276 g 330 n Aug 2013 699ebay.com
12.
 
Sony NEX-5R 111 mm 59 mm 39 mm 276 g 330 n Aug 2012 749ebay.com
13.
 
Sony NEX-6 120 mm 67 mm 43 mm 345 g 360 n Sep 2012 999ebay.com
14.
 
Sony NEX-F3 117 mm 67 mm 42 mm 314 g 470 n May 2012 599ebay.com
15.
 
Sony NEX-5N 111 mm 59 mm 38 mm 269 g 460 n Aug 2011 699ebay.com
16.
 
Sony NEX-C3 110 mm 60 mm 33 mm 225 g 400 n Jun 2011 599ebay.com
17.
 
Sony NEX-5 111 mm 59 mm 38 mm 287 g 330 n May 2010 699ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The NEX-3 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 90 percent) than the 1DX Mark II, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Sony NEX-3 features an APS-C sensor and the Canon 1D X Mark II a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the 1DX Mark II is 137 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Sony NEX-3 and Canon 1D X Mark II sensor measures

With 20MP, the 1DX Mark II offers a higher resolution than the NEX-3 (14MP), but the 1DX Mark II nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 6.57μm versus 5.11μm for the NEX-3) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the 1DX Mark II is a much more recent model (by 5 years and 8 months) than the NEX-3, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units.

The resolution advantage of the Canon 1D X Mark II implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the 1DX Mark II for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 27.4 x 18.2 inches or 69.5 x 46.3 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 21.9 x 14.6 inches or 55.6 x 37.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 18.2 x 12.2 inches or 46.3 x 30.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Sony NEX-3 are 23 x 15.3 inches or 58.3 x 38.8 cm for good quality, 18.4 x 12.2 inches or 46.7 x 31 cm for very good quality, and 15.3 x 10.2 inches or 38.9 x 25.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The 1DX Mark II has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Sony Alpha NEX-3 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II are ISO 100 to ISO 51200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-409600.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

NEX-3 versus 1DX Mark II MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). Of the two cameras under consideration, the 1DX Mark II offers substantially better image quality than the NEX-3 (overall score 20 points higher). The advantage is based on 2 bits higher color depth, 1.5 EV in additional dynamic range, and 2 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Sony NEX-3 APS-C 14.0 4592 3056720/30p22.112.083068
2.
 
Canon 1D X Mark II Full Frame 20.0 5472 36484K/60p24.113.5320788
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark III Full Frame 20.0 5472 36484K/60p24.214.5324891
4.
 
Canon 6D Mark II Full Frame 26.0 6240 41601080/60p24.411.9286285
5.
 
Canon 5DS Full Frame 50.3 8688 57921080/30p24.712.4238187
6.
 
Canon 1D X Full Frame 17.9 5184 34561080/30p23.811.8278682
7.
 
Nikon D5 Full Frame 20.7 5588 37124K/30p25.112.3234388
8.
 
Sony A5100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.812.7134780
9.
 
Sony A6000 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.113.1134782
10.
 
Sony NEX-3N APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i22.812.5106774
11.
 
Sony NEX-5T APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60p23.613.0101578
12.
 
Sony NEX-5R APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.713.191078
13.
 
Sony NEX-6 APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.713.1101878
14.
 
Sony NEX-F3 APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i22.712.3111473
15.
 
Sony NEX-5N APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.612.7107977
16.
 
Sony NEX-C3 APS-C 16.0 4912 3264720/30p22.712.2108373
17.
 
Sony NEX-5 APS-C 14.0 4592 30561080/60i22.212.279669
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the 1DX Mark II provides a better video resolution than the NEX-3. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/60p, while the Sony is limited to 720/30p.

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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the 1DX Mark II has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the NEX-3 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the NEX-3 can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the FDA-SV1. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Sony NEX-3, the Canon 1D X Mark II, and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Sony NEX-3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 7.0/s n n
2.
 
Canon 1D X Mark IIoptical Y3.2 / 1620 fixed Y 1/8000s 16.0/s n n
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark IIIoptical Y3.2 / 2100 fixed Y 1/8000s 20.0/s n n
4.
 
Canon 6D Mark IIoptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.5/s n n
5.
 
Canon 5DSoptical Y3.2 / 1040 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
6.
 
Canon 1D Xoptical Y3.2 / 1040 fixed n 1/8000s 14.0/s n n
7.
 
Nikon D5optical Y3.2 / 2359 fixed Y 1/8000s 14.0/s n n
8.
 
Sony A5100none n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
9.
 
Sony A60001440 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/4000s 11.0/s Y n
10.
 
Sony NEX-3Noptional n3.0 / 460 tilting n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
11.
 
Sony NEX-5Toptional n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
12.
 
Sony NEX-5Roptional n3.0 / 920 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
13.
 
Sony NEX-62359 n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y n
14.
 
Sony NEX-F3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.5/s Y n
15.
 
Sony NEX-5Noptional n3.0 / 920 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
16.
 
Sony NEX-C3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.5/s n n
17.
 
Sony NEX-5optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 7.0/s n n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The 1DX Mark II has a touchscreen, while the NEX-3 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

The NEX-3 has an articulated LCD that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in snapping selfies. In contrast, the 1DX Mark II does not have a selfie-screen.

The NEX-3 writes its imaging data to SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards, while the 1DX Mark II uses Compact Flash or CFast cards. The 1DX Mark II features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the NEX-3 only has one slot.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Sony Alpha NEX-3 and Canon EOS-1D X Mark II and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Sony NEX-3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
2.
 
Canon 1D X Mark IIYmono / monoYYmini3.0---
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark IIIYmono / monoYYmini3.1Y-Y
4.
 
Canon 6D Mark IIYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
5.
 
Canon 5DSYmono / monoY-mini3.0---
6.
 
Canon 1D XYmono / -Y-mini2.0---
7.
 
Nikon D5Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0---
8.
 
Sony A5100-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
9.
 
Sony A6000Ystereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
10.
 
Sony NEX-3N-stereo / mono--micro2.0---
11.
 
Sony NEX-5TYstereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
12.
 
Sony NEX-5RYstereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
13.
 
Sony NEX-6Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
14.
 
Sony NEX-F3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
15.
 
Sony NEX-5NYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
16.
 
Sony NEX-C3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
17.
 
Sony NEX-5Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
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It is notable that the 1DX Mark II has a headphone jack, which makes it possible to attach external headphones and monitor the quality of sound during the recording process. The NEX-3 lacks such a headphone port.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Canon 1D X Mark II (unlike the NEX-3) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the 1DX Mark II has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data.

Both the NEX-3 and the 1DX Mark II have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The NEX-3 was replaced by the Sony NEX-3N, while the 1DX Mark II was followed by the Canon 1DX Mark III. Further information on the features and operation of the NEX-3 and 1DX Mark II can be found, respectively, in the Sony NEX-3 Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon 1D X Mark II Manual.

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Review summary

So how do things add up? Which of the two cameras – the Sony NEX-3 or the Canon 1D X Mark II – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

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Arguments in favor of the Sony Alpha NEX-3:

  • More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • More compact: Is smaller (117x62mm vs 158x168mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 1233g or 81 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • More legacy lens friendly: Can take a broad range of non-native lenses via adapters.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (90 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in May 2010).

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Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (20 vs 14MP), which boosts linear resolution by 19%.
  • Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (20 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
  • Richer colors: Generates noticeably more natural colors (2 bits more color depth).
  • More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (1.5 EV of extra DR).
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (2 stops ISO advantage).
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/60p vs 720/30p).
  • Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
  • Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
  • Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
  • Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
  • Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1620k vs 920k dots).
  • Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (16 vs 7 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • More portrait friendly: Features an integrated vertical grip for easier portrait shooting.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (1210 versus 330) out of a single battery charge.
  • Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
  • Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
  • Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.0 vs 2.0).
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • More modern: Reflects 5 years and 8 months of technical progress since the NEX-3 launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the 1DX Mark II is the clear winner of the contest (24 : 7 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

NEX-3 07:24 1DX Mark II

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Sony NEX-3 and the Canon 1D X Mark II place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the NEX-3 or the 1DX Mark II. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Sony NEX-3......70/1004.5/54/5 May 2010 599ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 1D X Mark II....4.5/589/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2016 5,999ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark III..+ +5/5..4.5/54/5 Jan 2020 6,499 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon 6D Mark II4/5+4/580/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2017 1,999 amazon.com
5.
 
Canon 5DS..+..83/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 3,699ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 1D X5/5......4.5/54.5/5 Oct 2011 6,799ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D5....4/589/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 6,499ebay.com
8.
 
Sony A51004.5/5+....4.5/55/5 Aug 2014 549ebay.com
9.
 
Sony A60005/5+4.5/580/1004.5/55/5 Feb 2014 599ebay.com
10.
 
Sony NEX-3N3/5......4.5/54.5/5 Feb 2013 499ebay.com
11.
 
Sony NEX-5T........4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2013 699ebay.com
12.
 
Sony NEX-5R........4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2012 749ebay.com
13.
 
Sony NEX-65/5+ +..78/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 999ebay.com
14.
 
Sony NEX-F34/5....74/1004.5/54.5/5 May 2012 599ebay.com
15.
 
Sony NEX-5N3/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2011 699ebay.com
16.
 
Sony NEX-C33/5+ +..74/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2011 599ebay.com
17.
 
Sony NEX-53/5+ +..71/1004.5/54/5 May 2010 699ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Check NEX-3 offers at
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Check 1DX Mark II offers at
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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make your choice using the following search menu. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications: Sony NEX-3 vs Canon 1D X Mark II

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Sony NEX-3 Canon 1D X Mark II
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Sony E mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
    Launch Date May 2010 February 2016
    Launch Price USD 599 USD 5,999
    Sensor Specs Sony NEX-3 Canon 1D X Mark II
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor Full Frame Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.4 x 15.6 mm 36.0 x 24.0 mm
    Sensor Area 365.04 mm2 864 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.1 mm 43.3 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x 1.0x
    Sensor Resolution 14 Megapixels 20 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4592 x 3056 pixels 5472 x 3648 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 5.11 μm 6.57 μm
    Pixel Density 3.84 MP/cm2 2.31 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 720/30p Video 4K/60p Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 12,800 ISO 100 - 51,200 ISO
    ISO Boost no Enhancement 50 - 409,600 ISO
    Image Processor BIONZ DIGIC 6+ (Dual)
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 68 88
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.1 24.1
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 12.0 13.5
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 830 3207
    Screen Specs Sony NEX-3 Canon 1D X Mark II
    Viewfinder Type Viewfinder optional Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.76x
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.2inch
    LCD Resolution 920k dots 1620k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen Fixed screen
    Touch Input no Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Sony NEX-3 Canon 1D X Mark II
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 7 shutter flaps/s 16 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium MS or SDXC cards CF or CFAST cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Dual card slots
    Connectivity Specs Sony NEX-3 Canon 1D X Mark II
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash no PC Sync PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 3.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI mini HDMI
    Microphone Port no MIC socket External MIC port
    Headphone Socket no Headphone port Headphone port
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Geotagging no internal GPS GPS built-in
    Body Specs Sony NEX-3 Canon 1D X Mark II
    Environmental Sealingnot weather sealedWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Sony NP-FW50 Canon LP-E19
    Battery Life (CIPA)330 shots per charge1210 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 117 x 62 x 33 mm
    (4.6 x 2.4 x 1.3 in)
    158 x 168 x 83 mm
    (6.2 x 6.6 x 3.3 in)
    Camera Weight 297 g (10.5 oz) 1530 g (54.0 oz)
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