Sony NEX-3N vs Sony A58

Cameras
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Sony NEX-3N vs Sony A58

APS-C 366.6mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony NEX-3N Review.
See real-world photos taken with the NEX-3N.

APS-C 366.6mm²
20.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A58 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A58 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A58.
Compare Sony A58 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A58 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A5000
Compare NEX-3N vs A5000

Succeeded by the Sony A68
Compare A58 vs A68

Compare SONY A5000 vs SONY A68

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Differences

Sony NEX-3N advantages over Sony A58

Less expensive
$500 vs $600 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
NEX-3N test data on DxO Mark A58 test data on DxO Mark

1,067 vs 753 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
34 mm vs 77 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
389g vs 731g
Lighter weight
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens

Sony A58 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
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

700 vs 480 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.27 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.1 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster JPEG shooting
4.9 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

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

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
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

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Adorama
Read NEX-3N User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A58 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A58

Kit with 18-55mm Lens

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

Improved 20.1-megapixel resolution; Impressive image quality, especially for its price; Fast and decisive autofocus (in most conditions); Very good battery life; Good video quality (Full HD 1080p, though it doesn't support 60p frame rate).
Plastic lens mount; Slower burst mode speeds and shallower buffer than A57; LCD no longer fully articulating; Mediocre kit lens; Electronic instead of an optical viewfinder may be a turnoff for some.
Read our Sony A58 Review

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

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

Sony A58

Sony NEX-5R

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

$499
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony A58 vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony NEX-3N

Pentax K-5 IIs

$499
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-3N vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A58

Pentax K-5 IIs

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A58 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Canon T5i

Sony NEX-3N

Canon T5i

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$539
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony NEX-3N vs Canon T5i

Sony A58

Canon T5i

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$539
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A58 vs Canon T5i

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

Compare Sony NEX-3N vs Samsung NX1100

Sony A58

Samsung NX1100

$598
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$450
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony A58 vs Samsung NX1100

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

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

Sony A58

Sony NEX-5T

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

$299
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony A58 vs Sony NEX-5T

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