Sony NEX-3N vs Canon 70D

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Sony NEX-3N vs Canon 70D

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APS-C 366.6mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 16,000

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

APS-C 337.5mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Canon 70D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 70D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 70D.
Compare Canon 70D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 70D conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A5000
Compare NEX-3N vs A5000

Succeeded by the Canon 80D
Compare 70D vs 80D

Compare SONY A5000 vs CANON 80D

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Differences

Sony NEX-3N advantages over Canon 70D

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Bigger pixels
~ 4.78 vs 4.11 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-3N test data on DxO Mark 70D test data on DxO Mark

1,067 vs 926 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
34 mm vs 78 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
389g vs 1233g
Lighter weight
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 29 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens

Canon 70D advantages over Sony NEX-3N

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 2.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
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

920 vs 480 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
216 mm vs 75 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
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
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Higher-res screen
347k vs 154k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Less shutter lag
0.07 vs 0.27 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Faster JPEG shooting
6.7 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
65 vs 6 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 16000 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
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

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Adorama
Read NEX-3N User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 70D User Reviews

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Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

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Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality for an entry-level mirrorless; User interface ideal for consumers stepping up from point-and-shoots; Speedy and accurate autofocusing; Zoom lever on body; Tremendous value.
Lack of hot shoe or accessory port limits more advanced shooting; No electronic viewfinder; Performance lags behind previous model, especially on burst shooting speed.
Read our Sony NEX-3N Review

Dual Pixel CMOS AF delivers full-time continuous autofocus (with phase detect at every pixel in framing area) for video and Live View still shooting; Full HD (1080p) video recording with pro-level features and quality; Improved resolution and good high ISO performance; Excellent Wi-Fi remote shooting with full exposure controls; 3-inch articulating LCD touchscreen.
Image quality only improved slightly over 60D; Dynamic range still lags behind competing models; May not feature enough upgrades to convince people to step up from 60D.
Read our Canon 70D Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Sony NEX-3N

Nikon D7100

$449
APS-C

Focus peaking
Bigger pixels

$750
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-3N vs Nikon D7100

Canon 70D

Nikon D7100

$999
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$750
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Canon 70D vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-3N

Sony NEX-5R

$449
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$499
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony NEX-3N vs Sony NEX-5R

Canon 70D

Sony NEX-5R

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 70D vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sony NEX-3N

Samsung NX1100

$449
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$450
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
Higher-res screen

Compare Sony NEX-3N vs Samsung NX1100

Canon 70D

Samsung NX1100

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$450
APS-C

Thinner
Lighter weight

Compare Canon 70D vs Samsung NX1100

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Sony NEX-3N

Sony NEX-5T

$449
APS-C

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

$299
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony NEX-3N vs Sony NEX-5T

Canon 70D

Sony NEX-5T

$999
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$299
APS-C

Focus peaking
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 70D vs Sony NEX-5T

Compared to Sony A77 II

Sony NEX-3N

Sony A77 II

$449
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Thinner

$1198
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-3N vs Sony A77 II

Canon 70D

Sony A77 II

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1198
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 70D vs Sony A77 II

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