Sony NEX-3 vs Canon T5i

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Sony NEX-3 vs Canon T5i

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APS-C 369.7mm²
14.2 megapixels

Go in depth with our full Sony NEX-3 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the NEX-3.

APS-C 332.3mm²
18.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Canon T5i Review.
How does it shoot? Canon T5i in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the T5i.
Compare Canon T5i image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon T5i conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony NEX-3N
Compare NEX-3 vs NEX-3N

Succeeded by the Canon T6i
Compare T5i vs T6i

Compare SONY NEX-3N vs CANON T6I

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Differences

Sony NEX-3 advantages over Canon T5i

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
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
NEX-3 test data on DxO Mark T5i test data on DxO Mark

830 vs 681 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
33 mm vs 78 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
511g vs 791g
Lighter weight
Bigger JPEG buffer
38 vs 15 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Canon T5i 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
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Fast startup
~0.70 vs 1.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

440 vs 330 shots
Capture more photos
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
0.26 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
4.8 fps vs 2.7 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
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
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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read NEX-3 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read T5i User Reviews

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Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens

Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens
Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 lens

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Review Excerpt

Read our Sony NEX-3 Full Review

Excellent image quality; 9 cross-type AF points; Stereo microphones; Built-in touchscreen; Multi-shot modes; Improved kit lens; Even more affordable.
Little-changed from the earlier T4i; Slow Live View and video autofocus; High ISO performance is unimproved; Below-average battery life; No dedicated AF illuminator.
Read our Canon T5i Review

The Competition

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 T5i

Canon T4i

$539
APS-C

Less expensive
Lighter weight

$579
APS-C

More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon T5i vs Canon T4i

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 T5i

Sony NEX-5

$539
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$700
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon T5i vs Sony NEX-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 T5i

Sony NEX-C3

$539
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$559
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon T5i 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 T5i

Sony NEX-5N

$539
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$700
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon T5i vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Sony A57

Sony NEX-3

Sony A57

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Thinner

$800
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-3 vs Sony A57

Canon T5i

Sony A57

$539
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$800
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon T5i vs Sony A57

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