• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony NEX-3 advantages over Sony A6300

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~1.00 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 48 mm
    Thinner

Sony A6300 advantages over Sony NEX-3

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Better color depth
    24.4 vs 22.1 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,437 vs 830 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.7 vs 11.9 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    8 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • 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
    0.16 vs 0.44 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.1 fps vs 2.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 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

  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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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Buy the Sony A6300

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality; Improved high-ISO performance; Better JPEG quality; Fast autofocus; Very good subject tracking with real-time live view feature; All-magnesium body construction; 4K video.

  • Slow buffer clearing (no UHS-II support); No touchscreen, Clunky menus; Wi-Fi can be a bit frustrating to use.

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-5

Sony NEX-3
Sony NEX-5
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $700
  • APS-C
Sony A6300
Sony NEX-5
  • $846
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

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
Sony A6300
Sony NEX-C3
  • $846
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

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
Sony A6300
Sony NEX-5N
  • $846
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Fujifilm X-A3

Sony NEX-3
Fujifilm X-A3
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Sony A6300
Fujifilm X-A3
  • $846
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Sony A6500

Sony NEX-3
Sony A6500
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $1303
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony A6300
Sony A6500
  • $846
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $1303
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
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