Sony NEX-3 vs Nikon D5000

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-3 and Nikon D5000. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Sony NEX-3

Nikon D5000

Manufacturing

Sony NEX-3 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D5000 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony NEX-3 were released 2010 and Nikon D5000 was released 2009. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera	Released
Sony NEX-3	2010
Nikon D5000	2009

Type of camera

Sony NEX-3 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D5000 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 Nikon D5000 has a "Nikon DX"-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
Nikon D5000	75 mm Nikon DX 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)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Sony NEX-3 has a 14 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D5000 has 12,3 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
Nikon D5000	12,3 MP 12212224 pixels 4288 x 2848

Sony NEX-3 has a 15 % larger resolution than Nikon D5000. 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 Nikon D5000. Sony NEX-3 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 12800 while Nikon D5000 has 200 to 6400.

Camera	ISO Range
Sony NEX-3	200-12800
Nikon D5000	200-6400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Sony NEX-3 has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D5000 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D5000 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony NEX-3
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D5000

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 Nikon D5000 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Sony NEX-3	7
Nikon D5000	4

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 Nikon D5000 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.

Nikon D5000 weighs 590 gr (equal to 1.3 lb) which is 99% heavier than Sony NEX-3 and its 297 gr (or 0.65 lb).

Camera	Weight
Sony NEX-3	297 gr 0.65 lb
Nikon D5000	590 gr 1.3 lb