• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony NEX-3 advantages over Canon A2300

  • 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 210 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k 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 JPEG shooting
    2.7 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon A2300 advantages over Sony NEX-3

  • Less expensive
    $150 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    20 mm vs 33 mm
    Thinner

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera

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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-5

Sony NEX-3
Sony NEX-5
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $700
  • APS-C
Canon A2300
Sony NEX-5
  • $93
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Olympus VG-120

Sony NEX-3
Olympus VG-120
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $121
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
Canon A2300
Olympus VG-120
  • $93
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure
  • $121
  • 1/2.3 inch

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 A2300
Sony NEX-C3
  • $93
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $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 A2300
Sony NEX-5N
  • $93
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon A3400 IS

Sony NEX-3
Canon A3400 IS
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $93
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon A2300
Canon A3400 IS
  • $93
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $93
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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