• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Sony NEX-3 advantages over Canon T3i

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 4.30 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Fast startup
    ~1.00 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 79 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    511g vs 1031g
    Lighter weight
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    38 vs 9 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Canon T3i advantages over Sony NEX-3

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 440 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    216 mm vs 83 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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
  • Less shutter lag
    0.28 vs 0.44 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    18.0 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.6 fps vs 2.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • 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-3

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Buy the Canon T3i

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality; Good grip; Full HD video recording; Swiveling LCD; Very fast autofocus; HDMI output.

  • Slow frame rate for sports shooting; Tendency to overexpose in bright sunlight; Live View AF is slow; No microfocus adjustment.

  • Read our Canon T3i Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-5

Sony NEX-3
Sony NEX-5
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $700
  • APS-C

Compare Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-5

Canon T3i
Sony NEX-5
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon T3i vs Sony NEX-5

Compared to Pentax K-5

Sony NEX-3
Pentax K-5
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-3 vs Pentax K-5

Canon T3i
Pentax K-5
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T3i vs Pentax K-5

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

Compare Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-C3

Canon T3i
Sony NEX-C3
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon T3i vs Sony NEX-C3

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

Compare Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-5N

Canon T3i
Sony NEX-5N
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon T3i vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Canon T4i

Sony NEX-3
Canon T4i
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compare Sony NEX-3 vs Canon T4i

Canon T3i
Canon T4i
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon T3i vs Canon T4i

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