Sony Alpha NEX-3, Alpha NEX-5, Olympus EPL-1, Samsung NX10: key differences
The Sony Alpha NEX cameras join an expanding class of mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that contains a wide range of models, from entry-level to relatively advanced. Their nearest competitors are the recently released Samsung NX10, and Olympus' third Micro Four Thirds offering, the pared-down E-PL1. The E-PL1 is the only camera in this company that doesn't feature an APS-C format sensor, but despite this, it is bulkier than the NEX-3. The Samsung NX is, like the NEX-3, impressively small given the size of its sensor, but a little larger due to its built-in EVF and DSLR styling. The EPL-1 can be used with Olympus' excellent clip-on EVF, but there is (for now, at least) no provision for using an EVF with the NEX-3.
None of these are big cameras but Sony has succeeded in the seemingly impossible - squeezing an APS-C sized sensor and large, articulated screen into a body that is significantly smaller than the competition. Once you include the grip and the lens mount that stick forward from the wafer-thin body, the size advantage is reduced but it's still a tiny camera by any real-world measure and Sony must be applauded for an astonishing piece of engineering.
NEX advantages over EPL-1:
- Small size
- Larger format sensor
- Control dial for changing fundamental exposure settings (as opposed to buttons)
- Higher resolution LCD screen (921k dots)
- Screen can be tilted up to 80 degrees and 45 degrees downwards
- Faster continuous shooting (albeit with focus locked)
- Greater resolution sensor, higher maximum ISO (12,800 in PASM modes)
NEX advantages over NX10:
- Smaller size
- Tilting screen
- Faster continuous shooting (albeit with focus locked)
- Dedicated video recording button
- Provision for external microphone (via accessory socket)
- Higher maximum ISO setting (in PASM modes)
EPL-1 advantages over NEX:
- Built-in flash
- Flash hot shoe
- Optional EVF
- Plenty of buttons for key settings
- Lots of customization options
- In-camera raw conversion
NX10 advantages over NEX:
- Built-in EVF
- Conventional flash hot shoe
- Bright, high-contrast OLED screen
  |
 |
 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony NEX-3 | Sony NEX-5 | Olympus E-PL1 |
Samsung NX10 |
|
| Sensor | • APS-C type HD CMOS • 14.2 million total pixels • 14.2 million effective pixels • RGB (Primary) color filter array |
• 4/3 type MOS ('Live MOS sensor') • 13.1 million total pixels • 12.3 million effective pixels • RGB (Primary) color filter array |
• APS-C type CMOS • 15.1 million total pixels • 14.6 million effective pixels • RGB (Primary) color filter array |
|
| Image stabilization | • Lens dependant |
• In body (claimed 3 stops) |
• Lens dependent |
|
| Battery life (CIPA)* |
• 330 shots |
• 290 shots |
• 400 shots (Samsung's tests) |
|
| Video mode | • MP4: 1280 x 720, 30fps 640 x 480, 30fps |
• AVCHD: 1920 x 1080i, 60/50fps** • MP4: 1440 x 1080p, 30/25fps** |
• Motion JPEG: 1280 x 720, 30fps 640 x 480, 30fps |
• H.264 MP4: 1280 x 720, 30fps 640 x 480, 30fps 320 x 240, 30fps |
| Audio | • Stereo (external mic optional) |
• Mono (stereo via adapter) |
• Mono |
|
| Movie REC button? | • Yes |
• Yes |
• Yes |
|
| LCD screen | • 3.0" • 921,000 dots |
• 2.7" • 230,000 dots |
• 3.0" Active Matrix OLED • 614,000 dots |
|
| Viewfinder | • Optional optical FDA-SV1 (for 16mm pancake lens ) |
• Optional EVF • 1.15x magnification • 1,440k dots • 100% FOV |
• Built-in EVF • 0.86x magnification • 921k dots • 100% FOV |
|
| Metering modes | • 49-segment • Center-Weighted Average • Spot |
• Digital ESP • Center-Weighted Average • Spot (1%) • Highlight based spot • Shadow based spot |
• 247-zone • Center-Weighted • Spot |
|
| Flash | • Yes, supplied (not built-in) (GN. 7.0 at ISO 100) |
• Yes (GN. 7.0 at ISO 100) • Wireless flash control |
• Yes (GN.11 at ISO 100) |
|
| Remote control? | • No |
• Optional IR |
• No |
• Optional wired remote |
| Orientation sensor | • Yes |
• No |
• Yes |
|
| Connectors | • USB 2.0 (High Speed) • HDMI |
• USB 2.0 (High Speed) • Video output (PAL / NTSC) • HDMI |
• USB 2.0 (High Speed) • Video output (PAL / NTSC) • HDMI |
|
| Dimensions | 117 x 62 x 33mm |
111 x 59 x 38mm |
115 mm x 72 mm x 42 mm |
123 × 87× 39.8mm |
| Weight (body only) | Approx. 239 g (8.4 oz) |
Approx.
229ｇ (8.2 oz) |
Approx. 298 g (10.5 oz) |
Approx. 353g (12.45 oz) |
* CIPA battery test methodology uses the kit lens, uses flash for 50% of the shots and has IS turned on where appropriate.
** Frame rate depends on camera region (50fps for PAL, 60fps for NTSC)
