• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 384.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha NEX-3
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor: Sony NEX-3N
NEX-3 vs NEX-3N
 
General
Model Number: NEX-3 ZS8
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact System Camera Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $599.99 $279.99
Street Price:   $259.48
Date Available: 2010-07-15 2011-03-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 18.0 oz (511 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
7.4 oz (210 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.6 x 2.5 x 1.3 in.
(117 x 63 x 33 mm)
4.1 x 2.3 x 1.3 in.
(105 x 58 x 33 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CCD
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 14.2 14.1
Sensor Format: APS-C 1/2.33 inch
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 28.198mm2 (6.13mm x 4.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.16 microns 1.42 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x n/a
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 4:3, 16:9
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed  
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 68  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.1  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.0  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 830  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4592 x 3056 (14.0 MP, 3:2),
4592 x 2576 (11.8 MP, 16:9),
3344 x 2224 (7.4 MP, 3:2),
3344 x 1872 (6.3 MP, Other),
2288 x 1520 (3.5 MP, Other),
2288 x 1280 (2.9 MP, Other)
4320 x 3240 (14.0 MP, 4:3),
4320 x 2880 (12.4 MP, 3:2),
4320 x 2432 (10.5 MP, 16:9),
3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
3648 x 2432 (8.9 MP, 3:2),
3648 x 2056 (7.5 MP, Other),
3072 x 2304 (7.1 MP, 4:3),
3072 x 2048 (6.3 MP, 3:2),
3072 x 1728 (5.3 MP, 16:9),
2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3),
2560 x 1712 (4.4 MP, 3:2),
2560 x 1440 (3.7 MP, 16:9),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1360 (2.8 MP, Other),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG, .ARW RAW, RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 2.7 1.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (30)
640x480 (30)
1280x720 (30)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
Movie File Format: MPEG-4 QuckTime Motion JPEG
Composite Video Out: No Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a No
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes No
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony E n/a
Lens: Sony SEL1855 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR, 12 elements in 10 groups, 3 Aspherical
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 24 - 384mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 4.3 - 68.8mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 16.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 34 (T) f/3.3 - 6.3 (W) / f/5.9 - 6.3 (T) Multistage Iris Diaphram
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:   3 cm to Infinity
1.2 in to Infinity
Filter Thread: 49.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 10x Precision digital zoom with prime lens attached Up to 4x (Max. 64 x total combined with Extra Optical Zoom)
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect: 25-area, Center, Flexible Spot; with Face Detection Contrast Detect: Face, AF Tracking, 23pt, 1pt, Spot
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes No
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD LCD
Viewfinder Type: (Optional FDA-SV1 optical viewfinder available with 16mm FOV)  
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 230,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 13.0x  
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):    
Minimum ISO (native):    
ISO Settings: Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 Auto, iISO, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600; High Sensitivity mode (ISO 1600-6400)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Temp./Filter, Custom Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, White Set
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 60 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Multi-segment (49 segments), Center-weighted, Spot Intelligent Multiple, Center Weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night View, Hand-held Twilight, Sweep Panorama Custom, SCN, My SCN2, My SCN1; Portrait, Soft Skin, Transform, Self-Portrait, Scenery, Panorama Assist, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Food, Party, Candle Light, Baby1, Baby2, Pet, Sunset, High sensitivity, Hi-Speed Burst (image priority/speed priority), Flash Burst, Starry Sky, Fireworks, Beach, Snow, Aerial, Pinhole, Film Grain, High Dynamic (standard/ art/ B&W), Photoframe, Under Water
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No Yes
Flash Modes: Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear sync., Slow sync., Red-eye reduction Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 7.0 m / 23.0 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Bundled flash has GN of 7m/ISO 100 0.6 - 5.0m (Wide/ISO Auto), 1.0 - 2.8m (Tele/ISO Auto)
Max Flash Sync: 1/160  
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps  
External Flash Connection: Smart Accessory Terminal (flash is detachable) n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes No
Uncompressed Format: .ARW RAW, RAW+JPEG  
Movie File Format: MPEG-4 QuckTime Motion JPEG
Included Memory:   70.0 MB
Included Memory Type:   built-in memory
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: No No
Remote Control Type:    
Connections (extended): Mini HDMI (Type C) DC input
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.77 1.58
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.77  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 17  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 2.7 1.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 38 3
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.44 seconds 0.24 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.44 seconds 0.25 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):    
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.115 seconds 0.010 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 1.0 seconds 1.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 1.0 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 2.8 seconds 4.9 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 330 shots 340 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary InfoLithium NP-FW50 Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable 3.6V, 895mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: PMB (Picture Motion Browser) 4.3.01 Image Data Converter SR 3.1 Image Data Lightbox SR PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.0, QuickTime, Adobe Reader, Super LoiLoScope ( trial version)
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP/Vista; Mac OS X 10.1.3 or later  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Available in black, silver or red. Power O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization), 3-inch LCD, 720p HD movies. Available in black and silver.