• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony NEX-3 advantages over Canon 320 HS

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 330 vs 170 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon 320 HS advantages over Sony NEX-3

  • Less expensive
    $280 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    20 mm vs 33 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.2 fps vs 2.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-5

Sony NEX-3
Sony NEX-5
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $700
  • APS-C
Canon 320 HS
Sony NEX-5
  • $231
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Sony NEX-3
Sony NEX-C3
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
Canon 320 HS
Sony NEX-C3
  • $231
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-3
Sony NEX-5N
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
Canon 320 HS
Sony NEX-5N
  • $231
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon 110 HS

Sony NEX-3
Canon 110 HS
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon 320 HS
Canon 110 HS
  • $231
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compared to Canon A2600

Sony NEX-3
Canon A2600
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
Canon 320 HS
Canon A2600
  • $231
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
Compare Other Cameras?