Canon T3i vs Sony NEX-3N

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Canon T3i vs Sony NEX-3N

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APS-C 332.3mm²
18.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Canon T3i Review.
See real-world photos taken with the T3i.

APS-C 366.6mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony NEX-3N Review.
See real-world photos taken with the NEX-3N.

Succeeded by the Canon T4i
Compare T3i vs T4i

Succeeded by the Sony A5000
Compare NEX-3N vs A5000

Compare CANON T4I vs SONY A5000

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Differences

Canon T3i advantages over Sony NEX-3N

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Fast startup
~1.50 vs 2.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
More telephoto lens reach
216 mm vs 75 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Higher-res screen
346k vs 154k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Bigger JPEG buffer
9 vs 6 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony NEX-3N advantages over Canon T3i

Less expensive
$500 vs $600 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
APS-C vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
NEX-3N test data on DxO Mark T3i test data on DxO Mark

1,067 vs 793 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
34 mm vs 79 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
389g vs 1031g
Lighter weight
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 29 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens

Similarities

Common Strengths

Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read T3i User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read NEX-3N User Reviews

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Sony NEX-3N

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Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality; Good grip; Full HD video recording; Swiveling LCD; Very fast autofocus; HDMI output.
Slow frame rate for sports shooting; Tendency to overexpose in bright sunlight; Live View AF is slow; No microfocus adjustment.
Read our Canon T3i Full Review

Excellent image quality for an entry-level mirrorless; User interface ideal for consumers stepping up from point-and-shoots; Speedy and accurate autofocusing; Zoom lever on body; Tremendous value.
Lack of hot shoe or accessory port limits more advanced shooting; No electronic viewfinder; Performance lags behind previous model, especially on burst shooting speed.
Read our Sony NEX-3N Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7000

Canon T3i

Nikon D7000

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Canon T3i vs Nikon D7000

Sony NEX-3N

Nikon D7000

$449
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-3N vs Nikon D7000

Compared to Pentax K-5

Canon T3i

Pentax K-5

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T3i vs Pentax K-5

Sony NEX-3N

Pentax K-5

$449
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-3N vs Pentax K-5

Compared to Canon T4i

Canon T3i

Canon T4i

$549
APS-C

$579
APS-C

Touchscreen
Fast startup

Compare Canon T3i vs Canon T4i

Sony NEX-3N

Canon T4i

$449
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$579
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony NEX-3N vs Canon T4i

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Canon T3i

Samsung NX1100

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$450
APS-C

Larger sensor
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon T3i vs Samsung NX1100

Sony NEX-3N

Samsung NX1100

$449
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$450
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
Higher-res screen

Compare Sony NEX-3N vs Samsung NX1100

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Canon T3i

Sony NEX-5T

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$299
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon T3i vs Sony NEX-5T

Sony NEX-3N

Sony NEX-5T

$449
APS-C

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

$299
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony NEX-3N vs Sony NEX-5T

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