• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 20.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony NEX-3 advantages over Panasonic FZ70

  • 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)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Better color depth
    22.1 vs 19.4 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    830 vs 171 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    11.9 vs 10.8 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 118 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    38 vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic FZ70 advantages over Sony NEX-3

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.44 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 2.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

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

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-5

Sony NEX-3
Sony NEX-5
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $700
  • APS-C
Panasonic FZ70
Sony NEX-5
  • $660
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $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
Panasonic FZ70
Sony NEX-C3
  • $660
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $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
Panasonic FZ70
Sony NEX-5N
  • $660
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Samsung WB2200F

Sony NEX-3
Samsung WB2200F
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $675
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Panasonic FZ70
Samsung WB2200F
  • $660
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Hot shoe
  • $675
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compared to Olympus SP-100

Sony NEX-3
Olympus SP-100
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Panasonic FZ70
Olympus SP-100
  • $660
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Slow-motion videos
Compare Other Cameras?