Sony a55 vs Sony NEX-3

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a55 and Sony NEX-3. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Sony a55

Sony NEX-3

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

These two camera models were both released 2010.

Camera	Released
Sony a55	2010
Sony NEX-3	2010

Type of camera

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 a55	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 a55 has a 16 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 a55	16 MP 16032768 pixels 4912 x 3264
Sony NEX-3	14 MP 14033152 pixels 4592 x 3056

Sony a55 has a 14 % 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 a55 has a larger ISO-range than Sony NEX-3. Sony a55 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Sony NEX-3 has 200 to 12800.

Camera	ISO Range
Sony a55	100-12800
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 a55
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 a55 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Sony NEX-3 can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a55	10
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 a55 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 a55 weighs 500 gr (equal to 1.1 lb) which is 68% heavier than Sony NEX-3 and its 297 gr (or 0.65 lb).

Camera	Weight
Sony a55	500 gr 1.1 lb
Sony NEX-3	297 gr 0.65 lb