Sony Alpha NEX-3 Review | 108 Data compared

The DPReview evaluation of the Sony NEX-3 and NEX-5 highlights how these mirrorless cameras pack a 14.2-megapixel APS-C sensor into compact, pocketable bodies with excellent, high-resolution tilting LCD screens. Key pros include high-quality JPEG output, superior low-light performance, and impressive features such as 1080i HD video (NEX-5), in-camera HDR, and "Sweep Panorama". Conversely, the review identifies significant cons regarding the user interface and hardware limitations, such as a lack of built-in image stabilization and a complex menu system requiring deep, frustrating navigation for manual controls. Other drawbacks include a tendency for the metering to overexpose, and the lack of a standard hotshoe, relying instead on a proprietary accessory port.

The Digital Photography School review positions the Sony NEX-3 as a highly disruptive entry-level mirrorless camera that challenges the mirrorless market with its compact form factor and aggressive pricing. Driven by a large 14.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and a fast Bionz processor, the camera delivers superb resolution, exceptional color fidelity, and minimal noise. Its low-light performance is notably strong, maintaining good image definition up to ISO 3200, and remaining usable even at its maximum ceiling of ISO 12,800. Key design highlights include a rapid two-second startup time, a fast continuous burst rate of 7 frames per second, a rapid-fire sweep panorama feature, and a sharp, bright 7.5cm tilting LCD screen that articulates up by nearly 90 degrees and down by 30 degrees. However, the camera comes with several physical and technical limitations. On the design side, the NEX-3 lacks an onboard flash and an eye-level optical finder, though both can be added via proprietary clip-on accessory ports. Its lenses, such as the f3.5-5.6/18-55mm kit lens, feature a massive 62mm diameter barrel that makes the overall setup feel front-heavy when mounted...

The Sony Alpha NEX-3 review highlights it as a highly capable entry-level system camera that delivers identical, DSLR-like image quality to its more expensive sibling, the NEX-5, at a significantly lower price point. Equipped with a 14.2-megapixel APS-C sensor, the camera produces sharp, high-resolution images with impressive low-light performance, remaining perfectly usable up to ISO 3200. A major saving grace for the camera is its updated firmware, which vastly improves usability by allowing users to customise the rear "soft" buttons. This critical addition enables direct access to frequently used settings like ISO and White Balance, successfully bypassing the otherwise fragmented and frustrating original menu system. However, the review points out several notable drawbacks, particularly regarding its physical design, handling, and video limitations. Unlike the sleek NEX-5, the plastic-bodied NEX-3 is slightly bulkier and features a much less prominent hand grip, causing the camera to feel front-heavy and less secure in the hand when paired with the 18-55mm kit lens. Furthermore, its video capabilities are restricted to 1,280x720p at 30fps in M-PEG4, missing out on the superior 1080i AVCHD format found...

The primary pros of the NEX system are its ultra-light, pocketable design, a large sensor that outperforms Micro Four Thirds rivals, and impressive low-light capabilities maxing out at ISO 12,800. However, the cameras suffer from several notable cons due to their compact size, including a complete lack of in-body image stabilisation, no built-in flash, and no built-in viewfinder. Additionally, accessing advanced functions requires tedious menu diving, and using older A-series lenses via an adapter strips away autofocus capabilities.

The Sony Alpha NEX-3 is a compact, mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera that delivers DSLR-level image quality in a highly portable plastic body, utilizing a 14.2-megapixel APS-C sensor and a third-generation Bionz processor. On the positive side, it sets a category benchmark for high ISO low-light performance, producing remarkably clean and usable prints up to 13×19 inches at ISO 3,200. It features advanced, multi-shot Cyber-shot modes like Sweep Panorama, Handheld Twilight, and Auto HDR that excel at expanding dynamic range and aligning handheld shots. Additionally, it offers quick contrast-detect autofocus, a swift 7 fps burst mode, a bright 3-inch tilting LCD screen, and silent autofocus tracking during 720p video recording.

for the Sony NEX-3 camera: Review Summary The Sony NEX-3 is a 14.2-megapixel compact mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses designed primarily for novice shooters. It serves as a highly affordable alternative to its big brother, the NEX-5, coming in at around £100 cheaper while offering near-identical core functionality. The camera boasts several strong pros, including a high-resolution, tilting 3-inch LCD screen, a fast 7-frames-per-second continuous shooting mode, and an excellent high-ISO performance that maintains good image quality in low light. Additionally, it features a 3D sweep panorama mode and a top-mounted connector slot that supports either a clip-on flash or an external stereo microphone. Despite its high value for money, the NEX-3 comes with notable compromises and cons that may frustrate advanced photographers. To cut costs against the NEX-5, its body is constructed of plastic, it is 1mm thicker, and its video recording capabilities are downgraded from 1080i to 720p HD resolution. The menu interface resembles a mobile phone, making operations feel tiresome and slow. Furthermore, reviewers criticized the physical design of the clip-on flash and found the quality of...

The Tuts+ review highlights the Sony NEX-3's excellent image quality, noting its 14-megapixel APS-C sensor produces DSLR-level results, particularly with clean performance up to ISO 3200. Key advantages include its compact size and effective noise reduction, which allow for usable, low-light photos. Envato Tuts+ However, the review cites significant ergonomics issues, with the, "compact design leading to awkward handling during operation." Furthermore, image quality degrades significantly at the maximum ISO 12800 setting, which is described as producing poor results. Envato Tuts+

The Sony NEX-3 and NEX-5 mirrorless cameras introduce a 14.2 MP APS-C sized CMOS sensor utilizing a new "E-Mount" system, effectively packing DSLR-sized image quality into highly compact bodies. Prominent highlights include a sharp, 3-inch articulated LCD screen featuring TruBlack technology for outstanding visibility in direct sunlight, and impressive burst shooting speeds of up to 7 FPS with locked focus. The cameras also boast innovative "gizmology" features like Sweep Panorama, Auto HDR, and high-quality video recording. While both models share similar internal capabilities, the higher-end NEX-5 sets itself apart with a robust magnesium build and advanced AVCHD video capture, whereas the slightly larger NEX-3 utilizes a plastic body restricted to MP4 recording. Despite their innovative design, the cameras have notable limitations, most significantly the complete lack of a built-in eye-level electronic viewfinder (EVF), which may deter serious photographers. Furthermore, the bodies lack internal sensor-shift image stabilization, relying entirely on in-lens Optical SteadyShot (OSS). This presents a drawback when using the unstabilized 16mm pancake lens or adapted Sony Alpha lenses, the latter of which also lose autofocus capabilities through the LA-EA1...

The ePHOTOzine review highlights the Sony NEX-3 as a capable mirrorless camera featuring a DSLR-sized sensor in a compact body, offering excellent high ISO noise control and a reliable, enjoyable sweep panorama mode. Key advantages include its portability, solid image quality, and fast performance for its era. ePHOTOzine However, the review heavily criticizes the poor user ergonomics, specifically noting an unintuitive, tedious menu system. Additionally, while boasting a maximum ISO of 12,800, image quality at this setting is poor, suffering from heavy noise and weak color saturation. ePHOTOzine

The Sony Alpha NEX-3 review by Photo Review highlights a, compact, and lightweight mirrorless camera delivering DSLR-like image quality, with a 14.2-megapixel APS-C sensor that captures superb color and resolution. Standout pros include exceptional low-light performance (up to ISO 3200), a fast menu system, and a quality tilt-adjustable screen. Cons include autofocus that tends to hunt, significant barrel distortion in the 18-55mm kit lens, and a reliance on menus due to the lack of a traditional mode dial. Furthermore, the camera features no built-in flash or standard hot shoe, and the digital zoom produces noticeable artifacts.

The Sony Alpha NEX-3 makes a highly impressive debut in the compact interchangeable-lens camera market, offering near-D-SLR performance and exceptional image quality at a very competitive price point of $549.99 with a 16mm kit lens. Built around a large 14.2-megapixel APS-C sensor, the camera delivers superb low-light performance and low-noise images up to ISO 3200, easily outperforming competitors like the Panasonic GF1 and Samsung NX10. It is remarkably fast, boasting a 2-second boot time and an impressive burst speed of up to 7 frames per second in Speed Priority mode. Reviewers also lauded its beautiful, tilting 3-inch LCD screen, which features a sharp 921,600-pixel resolution and articulates up to 90 degrees. Additionally, the camera includes highly accessible advanced modes, such as an easy panorama feature, an Anti-Motion Blur mode, and silent focusing while recording 720p30 HD video. However, the camera does come with notable limitations, particularly regarding its ecosystem and video flexibility. Because it requires larger APS-C lenses, the camera lacks native backwards compatibility with existing Sony Alpha lenses, requiring a separate $200 adapter that disables autofocus. The native E-mount...

The What Digital Camera review of the Sony NEX-3 praises the mirrorless camera as an affordable, compact, and highly capable system featuring a 14.2MP APS HD CMOS sensor that delivers class-leading, low-noise image quality. Key strengths include a lightweight body, a bright 3-inch tilting LCD, and a rapid 7fps burst mode, all for a competitive launch price of £440 with a 16mm lens. However, the review cites poor ergonomics due to a small, unbalanced grip and a challenging, menu-heavy interface that lacks a quick-access menu or touchscreen. Additional drawbacks include a limited, screw-in flash unit, 720p maximum video resolution, and a limited initial lens lineup.