Sony NEX-3 vs Nikon Z9

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-3 and Nikon Z9. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony NEX-3 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon Z9 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony NEX-3 were released 2010 and Nikon Z9 was released 2021. That is a 11 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony NEX-3 2010
Nikon Z9 2021

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony NEX-3 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon Z9 has a "Nikon FX"-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 Z9 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** 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 Z9 has 46 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 Z9 46 MP
45441024 pixels
8256 x 5504

Nikon Z9 has a 224 % 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

Nikon Z9 has a larger ISO-range than Sony NEX-3. Nikon Z9 has an ISO range that stretches from 32 to 102400 while Sony NEX-3 has 200 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony NEX-3 200-12800
Nikon Z9 32-102400

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 Nikon Z9

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 Z9 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony NEX-3 7
Nikon Z9 30

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 Z9 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 Z9 weighs 1340 gr (equal to 2.95 lb) which is 351% heavier than Sony NEX-3 and its 297 gr (or 0.65 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony NEX-3 297 gr
0.65 lb
Nikon Z9 1340 gr
2.95 lb

Sony NEX-3 vs Nikon Z9 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony NEX-3 and Nikon Z9, 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
Nikon Z9
Name Sony NEX-3 Nikon Z9
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony NEX-3
Nikon Z9
Release Year 2010 2021
Release Date 2010-05-11 2021-10-28
MSRP 599 USD 5500 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony NEX-3
Nikon Z9
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony NEX-3
Nikon Z9
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS Full Stacked CMOS
Resolution 4592 x 3056 pixels 8256 x 5504 pixels
Megapixels 14 MP 46 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED 7
Image
Sony NEX-3
Nikon Z9
ISO Range 200 - 12800 32 - 102400
White Balance Presets 6 9
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
(Sensor Shift (Synchro VR with selected lenses))
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 6 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony NEX-3
Nikon Z9
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 25 493
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon Z

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
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony NEX-3
Nikon Z9
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 920000 2088960
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type TFT Xtra Fine LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type No Viewfinder Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8x
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 3686400
Photography features
Sony NEX-3
Nikon Z9
Frames per second 7 fps 30 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 900 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/32000 seconds
Built-in Flash No No
Built-in Flash Range N/A N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony NEX-3
Nikon Z9
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
H.265
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
7680 x 4320
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Sony NEX-3
Nikon Z9
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash Express
XQD
Connectivity
Sony NEX-3
Nikon Z9
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Built-in (IEEE 802.11b/g/n/a/ac/Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy)
Remote Control No Yes (Via app)
GPS No Yes
Built-in (GPS, GLONASS, QZSS)
Body & Dimensions
Sony NEX-3
Nikon Z9
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FW50 rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL18d (backwards compatible with EN-EL18/a/b/c batteries)
Battery Life (CIPA) 330 shots 740 shots
Width 117 mm 149 mm
Height 62 mm 150 mm
Depth 33 mm 91 mm
Weight 297 gram 1340 gram