Sony a5000 vs Sony NEX-3

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a5000 and Sony NEX-3. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony a5000 were released 2014 and Sony NEX-3 was released 2010. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a5000 2014
Sony NEX-3 2010

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Sony APS-C") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a5000 75 mm
Sony APS-C 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:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)

Resolution

Sony a5000 has a 20 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
Sony a5000 20 MP
19816192 pixels
5456 x 3632
Sony NEX-3 14 MP
14033152 pixels
4592 x 3056

Sony a5000 has a 41 % larger resolution than Sony NEX-3. 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 a5000 has a larger ISO-range than Sony NEX-3. Sony a5000 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 16000 while Sony NEX-3 has 200 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a5000 100-16000
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 Sony a5000
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. Sony a5000 can shoot up to 3,5 pictures per seconds and Sony NEX-3 can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a5000 3,5
Sony NEX-3 7

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Sony a5000 and Sony NEX-3 can shoot movies.

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.

Sony NEX-3 weighs 297 gr (equal to 0.65 lb) which is 10% heavier than Sony a5000 and its 269 gr (or 0.59 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a5000 269 gr
0.59 lb
Sony NEX-3 297 gr
0.65 lb

Sony a5000 vs Sony NEX-3 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a5000 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
Sony a5000
Sony NEX-3
Name Sony a5000 Sony NEX-3
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a5000
Sony NEX-3
Release Year 2014 2010
Release Date 2014-01-07 2010-05-11
MSRP 599 USD 599 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a5000
Sony NEX-3
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a5000
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 CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5456 x 3632 pixels 4592 x 3056 pixels
Megapixels 20 MP 14 MP
Image Processor Bionz X Bionz
Image
Sony a5000
Sony NEX-3
ISO Range 100 - 16000 200 - 12800
White Balance Presets 9 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a5000
Sony NEX-3
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Focus Points 25 25
Lens Mount Sony E

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
Sony a5000
Sony NEX-3
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 460 920000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT LCD with 180 upward tilt TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type No Viewfinder No Viewfinder
Viewfinder Coverage
Viewfinder Magnification
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a5000
Sony NEX-3
Frames per second 3,5 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 4 meters N/A
External Flash No Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a5000
Sony NEX-3
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
AVCHD
MPEG4
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Sony a5000
Sony NEX-3
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a5000
Sony NEX-3
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11 b/g/n with NFC)
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (via smartphone) No
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a5000
Sony NEX-3
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and USB charger
Lithium-Ion NP-FW50 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 420 shots 330 shots
Width 110 mm 117 mm
Height 63 mm 62 mm
Depth 36 mm 33 mm
Weight 269 gram 297 gram