• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 16,000
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 28.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony NEX-3N advantages over Samsung NX1

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $2800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.78 vs 3.63 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 65 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    389g vs 1290g
    Lighter weight
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Samsung NX1 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
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.70 vs 2.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,363 vs 1,067 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Higher-res screen
    346k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    28.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    15.2 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    53 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 16000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX1

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.

  • Very good, high-resolution image quality; Excellent high ISO performance with RAW files; Very good dynamic range; Blazing fast 15fps full-res burst mode; Deep buffer; Great build quality & comfortable ergonomics; Lots of physical controls; Great battery life; Fast single-shot AF.

  • Continuous AF performance still not as robust as competing DSLRs; Aggressive JPEG noise reduction at high ISOs; JPEG colors and saturation less pleasing at higher ISOs; H.265 video codec can be difficult to work with.

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-3N
Sony NEX-5R
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Samsung NX1
Sony NEX-5R
  • $1797
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sony NEX-3N
Samsung NX1100
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Higher-res screen
Samsung NX1
Samsung NX1100
  • $1797
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to 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
Samsung NX1
Sony NEX-5T
  • $1797
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Fujifilm X-T2

Sony NEX-3N
Fujifilm X-T2
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
Samsung NX1
Fujifilm X-T2
  • $1797
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Thinner

Compared to Fujifilm X-T3

Sony NEX-3N
Fujifilm X-T3
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
Samsung NX1
Fujifilm X-T3
  • $1797
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • NFC
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Newer
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