Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro vs Sony NEX-3

This is a full comparison between the cameras Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro and Sony NEX-3. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro is manufacturered by Fujifilm but Sony NEX-3 is from Sony. Both Fujifilm and Sony are well known brands though.

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro were released 2004 and Sony NEX-3 was released 2010. That is a 6 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro 2004
Sony NEX-3 2010

Type of camera

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro is a DSLR camera while Sony NEX-3 is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro has a "Fujifilm APS-C"-sensor while Sony NEX-3 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro 75 mm
Fujifilm sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Sony NEX-3 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:

Resolution

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro has a 6 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony NEX-3 has 14 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro 6 MP
12121088 pixels
4256 x 2848
Sony NEX-3 14 MP
14033152 pixels
4592 x 3056

Sony NEX-3 has a 16 % larger resolution than Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Sony NEX-3 has a larger ISO-range than Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro. Sony NEX-3 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 12800 while Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro has 100 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro 100-1600
Sony NEX-3 200-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Lens compatibility chart for Sony NEX-3

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro can shoot up to 1,5 pictures per seconds and Sony NEX-3 can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro 1,5
Sony NEX-3 7

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Sony NEX-3. Sadly, the Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro does not support this.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro weighs 930 gr (equal to 2.05 lb) which is 213% heavier than Sony NEX-3 and its 297 gr (or 0.65 lb).

Camera Weight
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro 930 gr
2.05 lb
Sony NEX-3 297 gr
0.65 lb

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro vs Sony NEX-3 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro and Sony NEX-3, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony NEX-3
Name Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro Sony NEX-3
Manufacturer Fujifilm Sony
Release Date and Price
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony NEX-3
Release Year 2004 2010
Release Date 2004-02-05 2010-05-11
MSRP N/A 599 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony NEX-3
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony NEX-3
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type CCD CMOS
Resolution 4256 x 2848 pixels 4592 x 3056 pixels
Megapixels 6 MP 14 MP
Image Processor Bionz
Image
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony NEX-3
ISO Range 100 - 1600 200 - 12800
White Balance Presets 7 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony NEX-3
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Focus Points N/A 25
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony NEX-3
Articulated LCD N/A Tilting
Screen size 2” 3”
Screen dots 235000 920000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) No Viewfinder
Viewfinder Coverage 94%
Viewfinder Magnification
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony NEX-3
Frames per second 1,5 fps 7 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 15 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation N/A +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony NEX-3
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony NEX-3
Memory Card Compact Flash
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony NEX-3
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (Optional) No
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro
Sony NEX-3
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FW50 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) N/A 330 shots
Width 148 mm 117 mm
Height 135 mm 62 mm
Depth 80 mm 33 mm
Weight 930 gram 297 gram