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Sony NEX-5R vs NEX-3N

The Sony Alpha NEX-5R and the Sony Alpha NEX-3N are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in August 2012 and February 2013. Both the NEX-5R and the NEX-3N are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 16 megapixels.

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

Headline Specifications
Sony NEX-5R
versus
Sony NEX-3N
Sony NEX-5R   Sony NEX-3N
Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
Sony E mount lenses Sony E mount lenses
16 MP – APS-C sensor 16 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/60i Video 1080/60i Video
ISO 100-25,600 ISO 200-16,000
Viewfinder optional Viewfinder optional
3.0" LCD – 920k dots 3.0" LCD – 460k dots
Tilting touchscreen Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
10 shutter flaps per second 4 shutter flaps per second
330 shots per battery charge480 shots per battery charge
111 x 59 x 39 mm, 276 g 110 x 62 x 35 mm, 269 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Sony Alpha NEX-5R and the Sony Alpha NEX-3N? 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

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Sony NEX-5R and the Sony NEX-3N is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The NEX-5R can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the NEX-3N is also available in two color-versions, but different ones (black, white).

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

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony NEX-3N is somewhat larger (4 percent) than the Sony NEX-5R. However, the NEX-3N is slightly lighter (3 percent) than the NEX-5R. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the NEX-5R nor the NEX-3N 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 adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

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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-5R 111 mm 59 mm 39 mm 276 g 330 n Aug 2012 749ebay.com
2.
 
Sony NEX-3N 110 mm 62 mm 35 mm 269 g 480 n Feb 2013 499ebay.com
3.
 
Ricoh GR 117 mm 61 mm 35 mm 245 g 290 n Apr 2013 799ebay.com
4.
 
Sony A5000 110 mm 63 mm 36 mm 269 g 420 n Jan 2014 449ebay.com
5.
 
Sony A5100 110 mm 63 mm 36 mm 283 g 400 n Aug 2014 549ebay.com
6.
 
Sony NEX-5T 111 mm 59 mm 39 mm 276 g 330 n Aug 2013 699ebay.com
7.
 
Sony NEX-6 120 mm 67 mm 43 mm 345 g 360 n Sep 2012 999ebay.com
8.
 
Sony NEX-F3 117 mm 67 mm 42 mm 314 g 470 n May 2012 599ebay.com
9.
 
Sony RX100 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 240 g 330 n Jun 2012 649ebay.com
10.
 
Sony NEX-5N 111 mm 59 mm 38 mm 269 g 460 n Aug 2011 699ebay.com
11.
 
Sony NEX-C3 110 mm 60 mm 33 mm 225 g 400 n Jun 2011 599ebay.com
12.
 
Sony NEX-3 117 mm 62 mm 33 mm 297 g 330 n May 2010 599ebay.com
13.
 
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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Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The NEX-3N was launched at a markedly lower price (by 33 percent) than the NEX-5R, 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 more expensive and 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-5R and Sony NEX-3N sensor measures

The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 16 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the NEX-5R and the NEX-3N have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the NEX-3N is a somewhat more recent model (by 5 months) than the NEX-5R, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time.

The Sony Alpha NEX-5R has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha NEX-3N are ISO 200 to ISO 16000 (no boost).

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-5R versus NEX-3N 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 review, the NEX-5R has a notably higher overall DXO score than the NEX-3N (overall score 4 points higher), which gives it an advantage in terms of imaging quality. This advantage is based on 0.9 bits higher color depth, 0.6 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.2 stops of reduced 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-5R APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.713.191078
2.
 
Sony NEX-3N APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i22.812.5106774
3.
 
Ricoh GR APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.613.597278
4.
 
Sony A5000 APS-C 19.8 5456 36321080/60i23.813.0108979
5.
 
Sony A5100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.812.7134780
6.
 
Sony NEX-5T APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60p23.613.0101578
7.
 
Sony NEX-6 APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.713.1101878
8.
 
Sony NEX-F3 APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i22.712.3111473
9.
 
Sony RX100 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.612.439066
10.
 
Sony NEX-5N APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.612.7107977
11.
 
Sony NEX-C3 APS-C 16.0 4912 3264720/30p22.712.2108373
12.
 
Sony NEX-3 APS-C 14.0 4592 3056720/30p22.112.083068
13.
 
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 can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, and both provide the same movie specifications (1080/60i).

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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The NEX-5R and the NEX-3N 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-EV1S for the NEX-5R and the FDA-SV1 for the NEX-3N – are available as accessories. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Sony NEX-5R, the Sony NEX-3N, 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-5Roptional n3.0 / 920 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
2.
 
Sony NEX-3Noptional n3.0 / 460 tilting n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
3.
 
Ricoh GRoptional n3.0 / 1230 fixed n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
4.
 
Sony A5000none n3.0 / 461 tilting n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y n
5.
 
Sony A5100none n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
6.
 
Sony NEX-5Toptional n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
7.
 
Sony NEX-62359 n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y n
8.
 
Sony NEX-F3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.5/s Y n
9.
 
Sony RX100none n3.0 / 1229 fixed n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Sony NEX-5Noptional n3.0 / 920 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
11.
 
Sony NEX-C3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.5/s n n
12.
 
Sony NEX-3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 7.0/s n n
13.
 
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.
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One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The NEX-5R has a touchscreen, while the NEX-3N has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

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-5R and the NEX-3N write their files to SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards.

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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-5R and Sony Alpha NEX-3N 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-5RYstereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
2.
 
Sony NEX-3N-stereo / mono--micro2.0---
3.
 
Ricoh GRYmono / mono--micro2.0---
4.
 
Sony A5000-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
5.
 
Sony A5100-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
6.
 
Sony NEX-5TYstereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
7.
 
Sony NEX-6Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
8.
 
Sony NEX-F3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
9.
 
Sony RX100-stereo / mono--micro2.0---
10.
 
Sony NEX-5NYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
11.
 
Sony NEX-C3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
12.
 
Sony NEX-3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
13.
 
Sony NEX-5Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
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It is notable that the NEX-5R has a hotshoe, while the NEX-3N does not. This socket makes it possible to easily attach optional accessories, such as an external flash gun.

Both the NEX-5R and the NEX-3N have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The NEX-5R was replaced by the Sony NEX-5T, while the NEX-3N was followed by the Sony A5000. Further information on the features and operation of the NEX-5R and NEX-3N can be found, respectively, in the Sony NEX-5R Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony NEX-3N Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Sony NEX-5R better than the Sony NEX-3N or vice versa? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.


Reasons to prefer the Sony Alpha NEX-5R:

  • Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (4 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
  • More dynamic range: Captures a larger spectrum of light and dark details (0.6 EV of extra DR).
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (920k vs 460k dots).
  • Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 4 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in August 2012).


Arguments in favor of the Sony Alpha NEX-3N:

  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (480 versus 330) out of a single battery charge.
  • Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (33 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Was introduced somewhat (5 months) more recently.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the NEX-5R is the clear winner of the match-up (8 : 4 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. 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-5R 08:04 NEX-3N

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Sony NEX-5R and the Sony NEX-3N 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-5R and the NEX-3N in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. 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-5R........4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2012 749ebay.com
2.
 
Sony NEX-3N3/5......4.5/54.5/5 Feb 2013 499ebay.com
3.
 
Ricoh GR5/5....79/1004.5/54.5/5 Apr 2013 799ebay.com
4.
 
Sony A50003/5+....4.5/54.5/5 Jan 2014 449ebay.com
5.
 
Sony A51004.5/5+....4.5/55/5 Aug 2014 549ebay.com
6.
 
Sony NEX-5T........4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2013 699ebay.com
7.
 
Sony NEX-65/5+ +..78/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 999ebay.com
8.
 
Sony NEX-F34/5....74/1004.5/54.5/5 May 2012 599ebay.com
9.
 
Sony RX1005/5+ +..78/1004/55/5 Jun 2012 649ebay.com
10.
 
Sony NEX-5N3/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2011 699ebay.com
11.
 
Sony NEX-C33/5+ +..74/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2011 599ebay.com
12.
 
Sony NEX-3......70/1004.5/54/5 May 2010 599ebay.com
13.
 
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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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.

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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 use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications: Sony NEX-5R vs Sony NEX-3N

    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-5R Sony NEX-3N
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Sony E mount lenses Sony E mount lenses
    Launch Date August 2012 February 2013
    Launch Price USD 749 USD 499
    Sensor Specs Sony NEX-5R Sony NEX-3N
    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 16 Megapixels 16 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 4912 x 3264 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.78 μm 4.78 μm
    Pixel Density 4.39 MP/cm2 4.39 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60i Video 1080/60i Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 25,600 ISO 200 - 16,000 ISO
    Image Processor BIONZ BIONZ
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 78 74
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 23.7 22.8
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 13.1 12.5
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 910 1067
    Screen Specs Sony NEX-5R Sony NEX-3N
    Viewfinder Type Viewfinder optional Viewfinder optional
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 920k dots 460k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen Tilting screen
    Touch Input Touchscreen no Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Sony NEX-5R Sony NEX-3N
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking FeatureFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/4000s 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 10 shutter flaps/s 4 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash Built-in 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-5R Sony NEX-3N
    External Flash Hotshoe no Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI micro HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in no Wifi
    Body Specs Sony NEX-5R Sony NEX-3N
    Battery Type Sony NP-FW50 Sony NP-FW50
    Battery Life (CIPA)330 shots per charge480 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 111 x 59 x 39 mm
    (4.4 x 2.3 x 1.5 in)
    110 x 62 x 35 mm
    (4.3 x 2.4 x 1.4 in)
    Camera Weight 276 g (9.7 oz) 269 g (9.5 oz)
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