Sony NEX-5 vs Nikon J3

Sony NEX-5 advantages over Nikon J3

• Lens selection
  Good vs Limited
  Better lens selection gives you more options
• Larger sensor
  APS-C vs 1 inch
  More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
• Bigger pixels
  ~ 5.16 vs 2.86 microns
  Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
• In-camera panoramas
  Yes vs No
  Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
• Tiltable Screen
  Tiltable vs Fixed
  Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
• 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-5 test data on DxO Mark J3 test data on DxO Mark
  796 vs 420 iso
  Take photos in low light with less noise
• More dynamic range

  More dynamic range

  Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

  Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

  Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.

  NEX-5 test data on DxO Mark J3 test data on DxO Mark
  12.2 vs 11.0 evs
  Retain detail in highlight and shadows
• Higher max flash sync
  1/160 vs 1/60 sec
  Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
• Hot shoe
  Hot shoe vs None
  Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
• Higher extended ISO
  12800 vs 6400 ISO
  Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility