• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 16,000

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Differences

Panasonic GH2 advantages over Sony NEX-3N

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Fast startup
    ~1.10 vs 2.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More telephoto lens reach
    280 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • 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
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    9 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony NEX-3N advantages over Panasonic GH2

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $1500 (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 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.78 vs 3.48 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,067 vs 655 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 480 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 75 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    389g vs 942g
    Lighter weight
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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

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Buy the Sony NEX-3N

Review Excerpt

  • 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.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GH1

Panasonic GH2
Panasonic GH1
  • $1500
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • More pixels
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Thinner
Sony NEX-3N
Panasonic GH1
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic G2

Panasonic GH2
Panasonic G2
  • $1500
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
Sony NEX-3N
Panasonic G2
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic G5

Panasonic GH2
Panasonic G5
  • $1500
  • 4/3
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Lighter weight
Sony NEX-3N
Panasonic G5
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Panasonic GH2
Samsung NX1100
  • $1500
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
Sony NEX-3N
Samsung NX1100
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Higher-res screen

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Panasonic GH2
Sony NEX-5T
  • $1500
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony NEX-3N
Sony NEX-5T
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
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