Sony NEX-3N vs Sony RX100 II

Cameras
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Sony NEX-3N vs Sony RX100 II

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.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
28.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX100 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony RX100 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the RX100 II.
Compare Sony RX100 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony RX100 II conclusion.

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

Succeeded by the Sony RX100 III
Compare RX100 II vs RX100 III

Compare SONY A5000 vs SONY RX100 III

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Differences

Sony NEX-3N advantages over Sony RX100 II

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.78 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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 RX100 II test data on DxO Mark

1,067 vs 483 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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

480 vs 350 shots
Capture more photos
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony RX100 II advantages over Sony NEX-3N

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Higher-res screen
307k 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
Less shutter lag
0.15 vs 0.27 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Faster JPEG shooting
9.6 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
13 vs 6 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 16000 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
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
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
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

Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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
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
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
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

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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

New, 20.2MP, 1-inch type, backside illuminated (BSI) image sensor produces superb image quality, with particular improvements in low light and high ISO; 3-inch tilting rear LCD screen handy for composing shots from difficult angles; Fast all-around performer with quick autofocus and virtually no shutter lag; New, multi-interface hotshoe for adding a strobe or optional electronic viewfinder; Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC.
Bigger and heavier than previous model; More expensive than previous model; Reduced burst performance when shooting RAW files; Somewhat confusing menu structure and control layout; Wi-Fi features can be difficult to set up.
Read our Sony RX100 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100

Sony NEX-3N

Sony RX100

$499
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$1074
1 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Higher max flash sync

Compare Sony NEX-3N vs Sony RX100

Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100

$598
1 inch

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$1074
1 inch

Faster RAW shooting

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Sony NEX-3N

Sony RX100 III

$499
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony NEX-3N vs Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100 III

$598
1 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100 III

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 RX100 II

Sony NEX-5R

$598
1 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Internal flash

$499
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony NEX-5R

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 RX100 II

Samsung NX1100

$598
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$450
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 II 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 RX100 II

Sony NEX-5T

$598
1 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Internal flash

$299
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony NEX-5T

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