Sony NEX-5N vs Nikon D3

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-5N and Nikon D3. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony NEX-5N is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D3 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony NEX-5N were released 2011 and Nikon D3 was released 2007. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony NEX-5N 2011
Nikon D3 2007

Type of camera

Sony NEX-5N is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D3 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony NEX-5N has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D3 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-5N 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D3 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-5N has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3 has 12,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony NEX-5N 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264
Nikon D3 12,1 MP
12052992 pixels
4256 x 2832

Sony NEX-5N has a 33 % larger resolution than Nikon D3. 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-5N has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3. Sony NEX-5N has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon D3 has 200 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony NEX-5N 100-25600
Nikon D3 200-25600

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-5N
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony NEX-5N can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony NEX-5N 10
Nikon D3 9

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-5N. Unfortunately Nikon D3 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 D3 weighs 1300 gr (equal to 2.87 lb) which is 383% heavier than Sony NEX-5N and its 269 gr (or 0.59 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony NEX-5N 269 gr
0.59 lb
Nikon D3 1300 gr
2.87 lb

Sony NEX-5N vs Nikon D3 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony NEX-5N and Nikon D3, 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-5N
Nikon D3
Name Sony NEX-5N Nikon D3
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony NEX-5N
Nikon D3
Release Year 2011 2007
Release Date 2011-08-24 2007-08-23
MSRP 599 USD 4999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony NEX-5N
Nikon D3
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony NEX-5N
Nikon D3
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 4912 x 3264 pixels 4256 x 2832 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 12,1 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED
Image
Sony NEX-5N
Nikon D3
ISO Range 100 - 25600 200 - 25600
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
Optics & Focus
Sony NEX-5N
Nikon D3
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-5N
Nikon D3
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 920000 922000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Sony NEX-5N
Nikon D3
Frames per second 10 fps 9 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters 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 +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony NEX-5N
Nikon D3
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-5N
Nikon D3
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony NEX-5N
Nikon D3
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
No
Remote Control Yes (optional RMT-DSLR1)
Yes
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Sony NEX-5N
Nikon D3
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details ithium-Ion NPFW50 rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL4a rechargeable Li-ion battery
Battery Life (CIPA) 460 shots 4300 shots
Width 111 mm 160 mm
Height 59 mm 157 mm
Depth 38 mm 88 mm
Weight 269 gram 1300 gram