• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Sony NEX-3 advantages over Nikon D600

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $2700 (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
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 82 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    511g vs 1350g
    Lighter weight

Nikon D600 advantages over Sony NEX-3

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 5.16 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 1.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    25.1 vs 22.1 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,980 vs 830 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.2 vs 11.9 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 900 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • 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
    0.26 vs 0.44 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.4 fps vs 2.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Nikon D600

Review Excerpt

  • Great controls for amateur or pro; Good grip and heft; Impressive low-light performance; Very good dynamic range; Excellent battery life; Built-in lens correction.

  • Dust and oil spatter problem; Moire problem with certain subjects; Slower X-sync speed; Slow AF in Live view mode; Aliasing in videos.

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-5

Sony NEX-3
Sony NEX-5
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $700
  • APS-C
Nikon D600
Sony NEX-5
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Sony NEX-3
Sony NEX-C3
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
Nikon D600
Sony NEX-C3
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-3
Sony NEX-5N
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
Nikon D600
Sony NEX-5N
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Canon 6D

Sony NEX-3
Canon 6D
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D600
Canon 6D
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Nikon D610

Sony NEX-3
Nikon D610
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1597
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D600
Nikon D610
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • $1597
  • 35mm
  • Faster RAW shooting
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