• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony NEX-3 advantages over Sony RX10 IV

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~1.00 vs 1.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 127 mm
    Thinner

Sony RX10 IV advantages over Sony NEX-3

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    7 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1440k vs 922k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.03 vs 0.44 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    23.8 fps vs 2.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    217 vs 38 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

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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

Sony RX10 IV
Sony NEX-5
  • $1698
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX10 IV 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

Sony RX10 IV
Sony NEX-C3
  • $1698
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX10 IV 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

Sony RX10 IV
Sony NEX-5N
  • $1698
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX10 IV vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Sony RX10 III

Sony NEX-3
Sony RX10 III
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1398
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-3 vs Sony RX10 III

Sony RX10 IV
Sony RX10 III
  • $1698
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $1398
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony RX10 IV vs Sony RX10 III

Compared to Panasonic FZ2500

Sony NEX-3
Panasonic FZ2500
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony NEX-3 vs Panasonic FZ2500

Sony RX10 IV
Panasonic FZ2500
  • $1698
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony RX10 IV vs Panasonic FZ2500

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