Sony NEX-3 vs Canon EOS 550D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-3 and Canon EOS 550D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony NEX-3 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS 550D is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2010.

Camera Released
Sony NEX-3 2010
Canon EOS 550D 2010

Type of camera

Sony NEX-3 is a Mirrorless camera while Canon EOS 550D is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony NEX-3 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Canon EOS 550D has a "Canon 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 **
Sony NEX-3 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS 550D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** 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)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Sony NEX-3 has a 14 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 550D has 18,7 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony NEX-3 14 MP
14033152 pixels
4592 x 3056
Canon EOS 550D 18,7 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456

Canon EOS 550D has a 28 % 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

Canon EOS 550D has a larger ISO-range than Sony NEX-3. Canon EOS 550D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Sony NEX-3 has 200 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony NEX-3 200-12800
Canon EOS 550D 100-12800

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 NEX-3
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 550D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony NEX-3 can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 550D can shoot up to 3,7 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony NEX-3 7
Canon EOS 550D 3,7

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Sony NEX-3 and Canon EOS 550D 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.

Canon EOS 550D weighs 510 gr (equal to 1.12 lb) which is 72% heavier than Sony NEX-3 and its 297 gr (or 0.65 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony NEX-3 297 gr
0.65 lb
Canon EOS 550D 510 gr
1.12 lb

Sony NEX-3 vs Canon EOS 550D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony NEX-3 and Canon EOS 550D, 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 NEX-3
Canon EOS 550D
Name Sony NEX-3 Canon EOS 550D
Manufacturer Sony Canon
Release Date and Price
Sony NEX-3
Canon EOS 550D
Release Year 2010 2010
Release Date 2010-05-11 2010-02-08
MSRP 599 USD 899 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony NEX-3
Canon EOS 550D
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony NEX-3
Canon EOS 550D
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4592 x 3056 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels
Megapixels 14 MP 18,7 MP
Image Processor Bionz DIGIC 4
Image
Sony NEX-3
Canon EOS 550D
ISO Range 200 - 12800 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 6 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 NEX-3
Canon EOS 550D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 25 9
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

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
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony NEX-3
Canon EOS 550D
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 920000 1040000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT Xtra Fine LCD TFT color liquid-crystal LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type No Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony NEX-3
Canon EOS 550D
Frames per second 7 fps 3,7 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 13 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony NEX-3
Canon EOS 550D
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Sony NEX-3
Canon EOS 550D
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony NEX-3
Canon EOS 550D
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control No Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony NEX-3
Canon EOS 550D
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FW50 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E8 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 330 shots N/A
Width 117 mm 129 mm
Height 62 mm 98 mm
Depth 33 mm 62 mm
Weight 297 gram 510 gram