• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 16,000

Buy From

Differences

Sony DSLR-A500 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.55 vs 4.78 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 2.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1000 vs 480 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.18 vs 0.27 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.9 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Sony NEX-3N advantages over Sony DSLR-A500

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $850 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,067 vs 772 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    389g vs 900g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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

  • 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

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.

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K20D

Sony DSLR-A500
Pentax K20D
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Top deck display
Sony NEX-3N
Pentax K20D
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Sony DSLR-A500
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • More dots on screen
  • More pixels
Sony NEX-3N
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony DSLR-A560

Sony DSLR-A500
Sony DSLR-A560
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Less shutter lag
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More cross-type AF points
Sony NEX-3N
Sony DSLR-A560
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sony DSLR-A500
Samsung NX1100
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Sony NEX-3N
Samsung NX1100
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Higher-res screen

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Sony DSLR-A500
Sony NEX-5T
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Sony NEX-3N
Sony NEX-5T
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
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