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)