• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 111.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  
  • Detailed specifications
  • Pentax Optio S12
  • Sony Alpha NEX-3
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:   Sony NEX-3N
NEX-3 vs NEX-3N
General
Model Number: S12 NEX-3
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Ultra Compact Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $279.95 $599.99
Street Price:    
Date Available: 2008-04-30 2010-07-15
Tripod Mount: No Yes
Weight: 4.6 oz (130 g) 18.0 oz (511 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 3.6 x 2.2 x 0.9 in.
(91 x 56 x 23 mm) 		4.6 x 2.5 x 1.3 in.
(117 x 63 x 33 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 12.0 14.2
Sensor Format: 1/1.7 inch APS-C
Sensor size: 43.32mm2 (7.6mm x 5.7mm) 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.90 microns 5.16 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 3:2, 16:9
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:   Fixed
Self-Cleaning: No Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:   68
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):   22.1
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):   12.0
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):   830
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
3072 x 2304 (7.1 MP, 4:3),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3) 		4592 x 3056 (14.0 MP, 3:2),
4592 x 2576 (11.8 MP, 16:9),
3344 x 2224 (7.4 MP, 3:2),
3344 x 1872 (6.3 MP, Other),
2288 x 1520 (3.5 MP, Other),
2288 x 1280 (2.9 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2) JPEG, .ARW RAW, RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: n/a 2.7
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 640x480 (30)
320x240 (30) 		1280x720 (30)
640x480 (30)
Movie File Format: AVI (DivX MPEG-4) MPEG-4
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a Sony E
Lens: smc PENTAX Zoom Lens (7 elements in 5 groups) Sony SEL1855 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 37 - 111mm 27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual): 7.9 - 23.7mm 18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/2.8 (wide) / f/5.4 (tele) - f/??? f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 34 (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 35 cm to Infinity
13.8 in to Infinity 		25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 6 - 40 cm
2.4 - 15.7 in 		 
Filter Thread: n/a 49.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 6x Up to 10x Precision digital zoom with prime lens attached
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detection; 5 point AF, spot, tracking, and face recognition autofocus modes available Contrast Detect: 25-area, Center, Flexible Spot; with Face Detection
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD LCD
Viewfinder Type:   (Optional FDA-SV1 optical viewfinder available with 16mm FOV)
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.5 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 232,000 dots 921,600 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 8.0x 13.0x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):    
Minimum ISO (native):    
ISO Settings: Auto, 64, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600; 3200 available in Digital SR mode Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Manual Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Temp./Filter, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/2000 - 4 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: No Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: TTL Multi-segment, Center-weighted & Spot meter Multi-segment (49 segments), Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: No Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Night Scene, Landscape, Flower, Natural Skin Tone, Portrait, Half Length Portrait (3M), Kids, Digital SR (5M), Sport, Surf & Snow, Pet, Text, Food, Frame Composite (3M), Dynamic Range Adjustment (auto and manual adjustments) Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night View, Hand-held Twilight, Sweep Panorama
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: On, Off, Auto, Red-eye, Soft flash Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear sync., Slow sync., Red-eye reduction
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 7.0 m / 23.0 ft.
Flash Range Description: Approx 22’ (wide, auto ISO), 11’ (tele, auto ISO) Bundled flash has GN of 7m/ISO 100
Max Flash Sync:   1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a Smart Accessory Terminal (flash is detachable)
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No Yes
Uncompressed Format:   .ARW RAW, RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: AVI (DivX MPEG-4) MPEG-4
Included Memory: 21.0 MB  
Included Memory Type: Internal  
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: No
Remote Control Type:    
Connections (extended): DC Input Mini HDMI (Type C)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):   0.77
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):   0.77
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):   17
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution):   2.7
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):   38
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):   0.44 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):   0.44 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):    
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused):   0.115 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time:   1.0 seconds
Play -> Record Time:   1.0 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:   2.8 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 270 shots 330 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary D-LI68 Proprietary InfoLithium NP-FW50
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary D-LI68 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: TBA PMB (Picture Motion Browser) 4.3.01 Image Data Converter SR 3.1 Image Data Lightbox SR
OS Compatibility: TBA Windows 2000/XP/Vista; Mac OS X 10.1.3 or later
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Available in black, silver or red.