A potelyt.com – Photography & Imaging Resources
ad

When you use links on apotelyt.com to buy products,
the site may earn a commission.

PW

Sony NEX-5 vs NEX-3

The Sony Alpha NEX-5 and the Sony Alpha NEX-3 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced in May 2010. Both the NEX-5 and the NEX-3 are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 14 megapixels.

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

Headline Specifications
Sony NEX-5
versus
Sony NEX-3
Sony NEX-5   Sony NEX-3
Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
Sony E mount lenses Sony E mount lenses
14 MP – APS-C sensor 14 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/60i Video 720/30p Video
ISO 200-12,800 ISO 200-12,800
Viewfinder optional Viewfinder optional
3.0" LCD – 920k dots 3.0" LCD – 920k dots
Tilting screen (no touchscreen) Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
7 shutter flaps per second 7 shutter flaps per second
330 shots per battery charge330 shots per battery charge
111 x 59 x 38 mm, 287 g 117 x 62 x 33 mm, 297 g
logo
Check NEX-5 offers at
ebay.com
logo
Check NEX-3 offers at
ebay.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Sony Alpha NEX-5 and the Sony Alpha NEX-3? 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.

ad

Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Sony NEX-5 and the Sony NEX-3 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-5 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the NEX-3 is available in three color-versions (black, silver, red).

Size Sony NEX-5 vs Sony NEX-3
Compare NEX-5 versus NEX-3 top
Comparison NEX-5 or NEX-3 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony NEX-3 is notably larger (11 percent) than the Sony NEX-5. Moreover, the NEX-3 is slightly heavier (3 percent) than the NEX-5. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the NEX-5 nor the NEX-3 are weather-sealed.

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. In this particular case, both cameras feature the same lens mount, so that they can use the same lenses. You can compare the optics available in the Sony E-Mount Lens Catalog. Mirrorless cameras, such as the two under consideration, have the additional advantage of having a short flange to focal plane distance, which makes it possible to mount many lenses from other systems onto the camera via adapters.

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.

scroll hint
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-5 111 mm 59 mm 38 mm 287 g 330 n May 2010 699ebay.com
2.
 
Sony NEX-3 117 mm 62 mm 33 mm 297 g 330 n May 2010 599ebay.com
3.
 
Ricoh GR II 117 mm 63 mm 35 mm 251 g 320 n Jun 2015 699ebay.com
4.
 
Sony A5100 110 mm 63 mm 36 mm 283 g 400 n Aug 2014 549ebay.com
5.
 
Sony A6000 120 mm 67 mm 45 mm 344 g 360 n Feb 2014 599ebay.com
6.
 
Sony NEX-3N 110 mm 62 mm 35 mm 269 g 480 n Feb 2013 499ebay.com
7.
 
Sony NEX-5T 111 mm 59 mm 39 mm 276 g 330 n Aug 2013 699ebay.com
8.
 
Sony NEX-5R 111 mm 59 mm 39 mm 276 g 330 n Aug 2012 749ebay.com
9.
 
Sony NEX-6 120 mm 67 mm 43 mm 345 g 360 n Sep 2012 999ebay.com
10.
 
Sony NEX-F3 117 mm 67 mm 42 mm 314 g 470 n May 2012 599ebay.com
11.
 
Sony NEX-5N 111 mm 59 mm 38 mm 269 g 460 n Aug 2011 699ebay.com
12.
 
Sony NEX-C3 110 mm 60 mm 33 mm 225 g 400 n Jun 2011 599ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
padding

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 somewhat lower price (by 14 percent) than the NEX-5, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. 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 sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.5. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Sony NEX-5 and Sony NEX-3 sensor measures

The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 14 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the NEX-5 and the NEX-3 have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. Moreover, the two cameras were released in close succession, so that their sensors are from the same technological generation.

The Sony Alpha NEX-5 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 12800. The Sony Alpha NEX-3 offers exactly the same ISO settings.

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-5 versus NEX-3 MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The Overall DXO ratings for the two cameras under consideration are close, suggesting that they provide similar imaging performance. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

scroll hint
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-5 APS-C 14.0 4592 30561080/60i22.212.279669
2.
 
Sony NEX-3 APS-C 14.0 4592 3056720/30p22.112.083068
3.
 
Ricoh GR II APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.613.7107880
4.
 
Sony A5100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.812.7134780
5.
 
Sony A6000 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.113.1134782
6.
 
Sony NEX-3N APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i22.812.5106774
7.
 
Sony NEX-5T APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60p23.613.0101578
8.
 
Sony NEX-5R APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.713.191078
9.
 
Sony NEX-6 APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.713.1101878
10.
 
Sony NEX-F3 APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i22.712.3111473
11.
 
Sony NEX-5N APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.612.7107977
12.
 
Sony NEX-C3 APS-C 16.0 4912 3264720/30p22.712.2108373
padding

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 NEX-5 provides a higher video resolution than the NEX-3. It can shoot video footage at 1080/60i, while the NEX-3 is limited to 720/30p.

ad

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The NEX-5 and the NEX-3 are similar in the sense that neither of the two has a viewfinder. The images are, thus, framed using live view on the rear LCD. However, optional viewfinders – the FDA-SV1 for the NEX-5 and the FDA-SV1 for the NEX-3 – are available as accessories. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Sony NEX-5 and Sony NEX-3 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

scroll hint
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-5optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 7.0/s n n
2.
 
Sony NEX-3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 7.0/s n n
3.
 
Ricoh GR IIoptional n3.0 / 1230 fixed n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
4.
 
Sony A5100none n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
5.
 
Sony A60001440 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/4000s 11.0/s Y n
6.
 
Sony NEX-3Noptional n3.0 / 460 tilting n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
7.
 
Sony NEX-5Toptional n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
8.
 
Sony NEX-5Roptional n3.0 / 920 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
9.
 
Sony NEX-62359 n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y n
10.
 
Sony NEX-F3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.5/s Y n
11.
 
Sony NEX-5Noptional n3.0 / 920 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
12.
 
Sony NEX-C3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.5/s n n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding
Both cameras have an articulated rear screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This feature will be particularly appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the NEX-5 and the NEX-3 write their files to SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards.

ad

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-5 and Sony Alpha NEX-3 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

scroll hint
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-5Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
2.
 
Sony NEX-3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
3.
 
Ricoh GR IIYstereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
4.
 
Sony A5100-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
5.
 
Sony A6000Ystereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
6.
 
Sony NEX-3N-stereo / mono--micro2.0---
7.
 
Sony NEX-5TYstereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
8.
 
Sony NEX-5RYstereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
9.
 
Sony NEX-6Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
10.
 
Sony NEX-F3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
11.
 
Sony NEX-5NYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
12.
 
Sony NEX-C3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
padding

Both the NEX-5 and the NEX-3 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The NEX-5 was replaced by the Sony NEX-5N, while the NEX-3 was followed by the Sony NEX-3N. Further information on the features and operation of the NEX-5 and NEX-3 can be found, respectively, in the Sony NEX-5 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony NEX-3 Manual.

ad

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Sony NEX-5 or the Sony NEX-3 – 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.


Arguments in favor of the Sony Alpha NEX-5:

  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (1080/60i vs 720/30p).


Advantages of the Sony Alpha NEX-3:

  • More affordable: Was released into a lower priced segment (14 percent cheaper at launch).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the match-up finishes in a tie (1 points each). 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-5 01:01 NEX-3

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Sony NEX-5 and the Sony NEX-3 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the NEX-5 and the NEX-3 in practical situations. 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 why expert reviews are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear 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.

scroll hint
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-53/5+ +..71/1004.5/54/5 May 2010 699ebay.com
2.
 
Sony NEX-3......70/1004.5/54/5 May 2010 599ebay.com
3.
 
Ricoh GR II........4.5/54.5/5 Jun 2015 699ebay.com
4.
 
Sony A51004.5/5+....4.5/55/5 Aug 2014 549ebay.com
5.
 
Sony A60005/5+4.5/580/1004.5/55/5 Feb 2014 599ebay.com
6.
 
Sony NEX-3N3/5......4.5/54.5/5 Feb 2013 499ebay.com
7.
 
Sony NEX-5T........4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2013 699ebay.com
8.
 
Sony NEX-5R........4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2012 749ebay.com
9.
 
Sony NEX-65/5+ +..78/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 999ebay.com
10.
 
Sony NEX-F34/5....74/1004.5/54.5/5 May 2012 599ebay.com
11.
 
Sony NEX-5N3/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2011 699ebay.com
12.
 
Sony NEX-C33/5+ +..74/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2011 599ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
padding

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

logo
Check NEX-5 offers at
ebay.com
logo
Check NEX-3 offers at
ebay.com

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, 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.

~
    loader
    ad

    Specifications: Sony NEX-5 vs Sony NEX-3

    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-5 Sony NEX-3
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Sony E mount lenses Sony E mount lenses
    Launch Date May 2010 May 2010
    Launch Price USD 699 USD 599
    Sensor Specs Sony NEX-5 Sony NEX-3
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.4 x 15.6 mm 23.4 x 15.6 mm
    Sensor Area 365.04 mm2 365.04 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.1 mm 28.1 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 14 Megapixels 14 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4592 x 3056 pixels 4592 x 3056 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 5.11 μm 5.11 μm
    Pixel Density 3.84 MP/cm2 3.84 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60i Video 720/30p Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 12,800 ISO 200 - 12,800 ISO
    Image Processor BIONZ BIONZ
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 69 68
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.2 22.1
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 12.2 12.0
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 796 830
    Screen Specs Sony NEX-5 Sony NEX-3
    Viewfinder Type Viewfinder optional Viewfinder optional
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 920k dots 920k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen Tilting screen
    Shooting Specs Sony NEX-5 Sony NEX-3
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peakingno Peaking Feature
    Continuous Shooting 7 shutter flaps/s 7 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium MS or SDXC cards MS or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no no
    Connectivity Specs Sony NEX-5 Sony NEX-3
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI mini HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Body Specs Sony NEX-5 Sony NEX-3
    Battery Type Sony NP-FW50 Sony NP-FW50
    Battery Life (CIPA)330 shots per charge330 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 111 x 59 x 38 mm
    (4.4 x 2.3 x 1.5 in)
    117 x 62 x 33 mm
    (4.6 x 2.4 x 1.3 in)
    Camera Weight 287 g (10.1 oz) 297 g (10.5 oz)
    logo
    Check NEX-5 offers at
    ebay.com
    logo
    Check NEX-3 offers at
    ebay.com

    Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.

    You are here Home  »  CAM-parator  »  Sony NEX-5 vs Sony NEX-3