• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  

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Differences

Nikon D3X advantages over Sony NEX-5

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.94 vs 5.16 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 1.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    24.7 vs 22.2 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,992 vs 796 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.7 vs 12.2 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 4400 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Less shutter lag
    0.16 vs 0.44 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.5 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 2.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony NEX-5 advantages over Nikon D3X

  • Less expensive
    $700 vs $8000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Thinner
    40 mm vs 87 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark II

Nikon D3X
Canon 5D Mark II
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More dynamic range
  • $1200
  • 35mm
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
Sony NEX-5
Canon 5D Mark II
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1200
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon D3S

Nikon D3X
Nikon D3S
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • More dynamic range
  • External Mic Jack
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
Sony NEX-5
Nikon D3S
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Samsung NX100

Nikon D3X
Samsung NX100
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
Sony NEX-5
Samsung NX100
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Nikon D3X
Sony NEX-C3
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Sony NEX-5
Sony NEX-C3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D3X
Nikon D4
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More pixels
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
Sony NEX-5
Nikon D4
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
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