• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony NEX-5 advantages over Samsung NX3000

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 4.29 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~1.00 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    38 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Samsung NX3000 advantages over Sony NEX-5

  • Less expensive
    $529 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Lighter weight
    385g vs 502g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.30 vs 0.44 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.2 fps vs 2.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-3

Sony NEX-5
Sony NEX-3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony NEX-5 vs Sony NEX-3

Samsung NX3000
Sony NEX-3
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Lighter weight
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Sony NEX-3

Compared to Samsung NX100

Sony NEX-5
Samsung NX100
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony NEX-5 vs Samsung NX100

Samsung NX3000
Samsung NX100
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Samsung NX100

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Sony NEX-5
Sony NEX-C3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony NEX-5 vs Sony NEX-C3

Samsung NX3000
Sony NEX-C3
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Sony NEX-C3

Compared to Fujifilm X-M1

Sony NEX-5
Fujifilm X-M1
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Fast startup
  • $993
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony NEX-5 vs Fujifilm X-M1

Samsung NX3000
Fujifilm X-M1
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $993
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Fujifilm X-M1

Compared to Canon EOS M3

Sony NEX-5
Canon EOS M3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony NEX-5 vs Canon EOS M3

Samsung NX3000
Canon EOS M3
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Canon EOS M3

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