• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 16,000
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
  • Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Sony NEX-3
NEX-3 vs NEX-3N
Successor:   Sony A5000
NEX-3N vs A5000
General
Model Number: DSLR-A550 NEX-3N
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1049.99 $500.00
Street Price: $859.40 $448.99
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2013-04-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 32.2 oz (912 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
13.7 oz (389 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.4 x 4.1 x 3.3 in.
(137 x 104 x 84 mm)
4.3 x 2.4 x 1.4 in.
(110 x 62 x 35 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Sony Exmor APS HD
Effective Megapixels: 14.2 16.1
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 366.6mm2 (23.50mm x 15.60mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.16 microns 4.78 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 66 74
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.9 22.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.8 12.5
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 807 1,067
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 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)
4912 x 3264 (16.0 MP, 3:2),
4912 x 2760 (13.6 MP, 16:9),
3568 x 2368 (8.4 MP, Other),
3568 x 2000 (7.1 MP, 16:9),
2448 x 1624 (4.0 MP, Other),
2448 x 1376 (3.4 MP, 16:9),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other),
2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW JPEG, MPO, .ARW 2.3 RAW, RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.7 4.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60i or 24p (24/​17Mbps))
1440x1080 (30p/​12Mbps)
640x480 (30p/​3Mbps)
Movie File Format:   AVCHD / MP4; Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo
Composite Video Out: No No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) Sony E
Lens: Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM Sony SELP1650 PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS; 9 elements in 8 groups, 4 aspheric surfaces
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 24 - 75mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 16 - 50mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 3.13x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T) f/3.5 - f/22 (W) / f/5.6 - f/36 (T); 7-blade circular aperture
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 55.0mm 40.5mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 4x; up to 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point TTL phase detection (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF; Wide, Spot, Local modes Contrast Detect: Multi Point (25 points), Center, Flexible Spot, with Face Detection
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter  
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.53x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.80x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 460,800 dots (153,600 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen:
Selfie Screen:
Max Playback Zoom: 14.0x 13.6x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 16000
Minimum ISO (native): 200 200
ISO Settings: Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 Auto, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 16000
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Temp./Filter, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot; (1200 zone evaluative metering in Live View) 1200-zone Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View Scene Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night View, Handheld Twilight, Anti Motion Blur; Picture Effects: Posterization (Color, B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R,G,B,Y), High Contrast Mono, Toy Camera, Soft High-key, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Mono, Miniature; Sweep Panorama
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2, 10, Self-portrait, 3 or 5 shots after 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off Flash Off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow sync., Rear-Sync.; Red-eye Reduction On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 4.0 m / 13.1 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Lens dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure  
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW .ARW 2.3 RAW, RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:   AVCHD / MP4; Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo
Included Memory:   No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC:
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 No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes No
Remote Control Type: Optional Wireless or Wired  
Connections (extended): DC input, mini-HDMI, Wired Remote Micro HDMI (Type D)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.41 0.79
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.41 0.90
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 19 Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 6.7 4.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 15 6
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): 0.18 seconds 0.27 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.178 seconds 0.108 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.22 seconds 0.39 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.074 seconds 0.022 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Quick AF Live View shutter lag: 0.188s Full Autofocus lag, Multi-area AF mode = 0.270s
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds 2.2 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.4 seconds 1.0 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.5 seconds 1.8 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   480 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 950 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FM500H Proprietary InfoLithium NP-FW50
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H 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: Software/USB Driver CD-ROM PlayMemories Home, Image Data Converter 4
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (v. 10.13+) Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7 SP1/8; Mac OS X v10.5 or later. (Software is Windows only.)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Exmore CMOS Sensor, Variable-angle LCD, SteadyShot In-body Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Live View, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer (Auto, Level 1-5), HDMI Output, 7 fps (AF/AE Locked). World's smallest, lightest interchangeable lens camera with APS-C sensor, 3" 460K-dot tilting LCD, Full HD 1080i60 video. Available in black or white.