Sony NEX-5 vs Nikon D3x

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-5 and Nikon D3x. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony NEX-5 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D3x is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony NEX-5 were released 2010 and Nikon D3x was released 2008. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony NEX-5 2010
Nikon D3x 2008

Type of camera

Sony NEX-5 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D3x is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony NEX-5 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D3x 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-5 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D3x 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-5 has a 14 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3x has 24,5 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony NEX-5 14 MP
14033152 pixels
4592 x 3056
Nikon D3x 24,5 MP
24385536 pixels
6048 x 4032

Nikon D3x has a 74 % larger resolution than Sony NEX-5. 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-5 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3x. Sony NEX-5 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 12800 while Nikon D3x has 100 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Sony NEX-5 200-12800
Nikon D3x 100-6400

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-5
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3x

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony NEX-5 can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3x can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony NEX-5 7
Nikon D3x 5

Ability to record movies

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

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Sony NEX-5. Unfortunately Nikon D3x does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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 D3x weighs 1260 gr (equal to 2.78 lb) which is 339% heavier than Sony NEX-5 and its 287 gr (or 0.63 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony NEX-5 287 gr
0.63 lb
Nikon D3x 1260 gr
2.78 lb

Sony NEX-5 vs Nikon D3x Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony NEX-5 and Nikon D3x, 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-5
Nikon D3x
Name Sony NEX-5 Nikon D3x
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony NEX-5
Nikon D3x
Release Year 2010 2008
Release Date 2010-05-11 2008-12-01
MSRP 649 USD 7470 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony NEX-5
Nikon D3x
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony NEX-5
Nikon D3x
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 CMOS
Resolution 4592 x 3056 pixels 6048 x 4032 pixels
Megapixels 14 MP 24,5 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED
Image
Sony NEX-5
Nikon D3x
ISO Range 200 - 12800 100 - 6400
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Sony NEX-5
Nikon D3x
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
LiveView
Focus Points 25 51
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

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-5
Nikon D3x
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 920000 920000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type No Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony NEX-5
Nikon D3x
Frames per second 7 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 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
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony NEX-5
Nikon D3x
Video recording Yes No
Video format AVCHD
N/A
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Sony NEX-5
Nikon D3x
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony NEX-5
Nikon D3x
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (InfraRed (optional)) Yes
GPS No Yes
Optional through GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Sony NEX-5
Nikon D3x
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FW50 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL4a rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 330 shots 4400 shots
Width 111 mm 160 mm
Height 59 mm 157 mm
Depth 38 mm 88 mm
Weight 287 gram 1260 gram