• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 16,000

Buy From

Differences

Sigma SD1 Merrill advantages over Sony NEX-3N

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
    Yes vs No
    A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony NEX-3N advantages over Sigma SD1 Merrill

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $2299 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Fast startup
    ~2.20 vs 4.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.27 vs 0.38 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Higher extended ISO
    16000 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sigma SD1 Merrill
Kit with 18-200mm lens
  • Kit with 18-200mm lens
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 17-50mm lens
All SD1 Merrill Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony NEX-3N
Sony NEX-3N

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

The Competition

Compared to Canon 50D

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Canon 50D
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • Wider angle kit lens
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Canon 50D

Sony NEX-3N
Canon 50D
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-3N vs Canon 50D

Compared to Nikon D300S

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Nikon D300S
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Nikon D300S

Sony NEX-3N
Nikon D300S
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-3N vs Nikon D300S

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Samsung NX1100
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Samsung NX1100

Sony NEX-3N
Samsung NX1100
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Higher-res screen

Compare Sony NEX-3N vs Samsung NX1100

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Sony NEX-5T
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Internal flash
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony NEX-5T

Sony NEX-3N
Sony NEX-5T
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

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

Compared to Nikon D500

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Nikon D500
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Nikon D500

Sony NEX-3N
Nikon D500
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-3N vs Nikon D500

Compare Other Cameras?