Deciding between an NEX 3 or 5

[Alowisney]

I've decided to get an NEX but can't decide between the 3 and 5. In the 5's plus column is higher resolution video and a metal body, but it's also $100 more. Video is a secondary concern with me as I don't shoot a lot of it.

As for the 3, I have somewhat large hands and I've read that the 3's body works better for that. It's also $100 cheaper which is a big plus when it comes time to buy memory cards and extra batteries. Has anyone bough one or the other and regretted it, wishing they'd gotten the other?

I'm probably going to buy the double lens kit just to have a small zoom and the prime. I don't have a collection of older lenses so I'll be using the Sonys until I get some Russian LTM lenses and an adapter. Good idea, or would you skip one or the other of the kit lenses?

And finally, black or silver? I'm leaning toward black! 🙂

 

[FPjohn]

Hello:

The 5 is smaller than the 3 but thicker.

The 5 takes the jtec cold shoe but the 3 accessory bay is deeper with a larger door. No cold shoe (required for accessory finders) for the 3 without an adapter.

The 5 will take a remote wireless release; the 3 does not.

They both come in red. My black NEX 3 is a charcoal grey, the 5 is apparently true black.

yours
FPJ

 

[Nokton48]

I bought a black Nex-3 body only for about $350 a couple of months ago, which left money for extra batteries and cards. I was not interested in the kit lenses, I bought four adapters, to use with all my 35mm film lenses. That to me is the great attraction of the Nex.

Love the camera. I'd get the Nex-3.

 

[ampguy]

I'd go with the 5, more metal, and the angling of the battery compartment provides sort of a grip, where with the 3, the right hand side is thinner, and longer, and less grippy. If I got the 3, I'd probably go with a wrist or neck strap, but with the 5, it's a solid grip for my hand.

I haven't needed the video or Jtec add-ons, but I will probably get a wireless release at some point.

I'd get both lenses if it's a great combo deal, and you don't have other lenses in the same focal length. The kit zoom is probably mainly a sunny day lens, but I've seen some decent images from it.

 

[uhoh7]

There will be a new version of the nex-3 shortly, with new body and better video. Probably same price.

The 5 has really top notch build.

 

[kshapero]

I got the NEX 3 gray with the 2 lens kit. The image IQ for stills is amazing. No complaints.

 

[andrewteee]

I have long fingers and prefer the 3 to the 5. The black NEX 3 is nice. They both feel solid.

 

[hans voralberg]

The Nex-5 is infinitely better at handling due to the extra grip!

 

[pvdhaar]

There were two major reasons for me to choose the NEX-3 over the NEX-5:

The grip.. it's something that you really need to try yourself before deciding, everyone has got different hands. I never thouht two so similar cameras could feel so different. When comparing the 3 to the 5, I found my hand (I've got quite long fingers) started to feel cramped after a short while handling the NEX-5. The NEX-3 grip is a little wider and shallower; for me it's much more comfortable to hold.

The tripod socket. The NEX-3 has a completely flat underside, and it will sit nicely and securely on my tripod adapter plates. The NEX-5's tripod socket is on a bulge on the underside of the camera. It won't go well with any of my tripods/plates.

I still had trouble deciding, because what speaks in favor of the NEX-5 is the IR remote control option. that the NEX-3 lacks.

In the end, the handholding comfort was the deciding factor..

 

[capito]

I got the NEX-3 because I couldn't justify the extra expense just for a nicer, metal body and better video. Everything (IQ, menu structure, etc...) else is exacly the same.

 

[vijayrff]

Handling is different

Handling is different

I too am trying to decide between a 3 and a 5. Ergonomics are very important to me and I didn't want to decide without handling both. Luckily, I live not too far from a Sony Store where I was able to handle both.

For me the handling difference was significant.

 

[nigelb]

I too am trying to decide between a 3 and a 5. Ergonomics are very important to me and I didn't want to decide without handling both. Luckily, I live not too far from a Sony Store where I was able to handle both.

For me the handling difference was significant.

So which gets your vote then?

 

[Alowisney]

I too am trying to decide between a 3 and a 5. Ergonomics are very important to me and I didn't want to decide without handling both. Luckily, I live not too far from a Sony Store where I was able to handle both.

For me the handling difference was significant.

I wish there was a store close to me that carries them so I could handle them or buy locally. I think I've decided on the 5 since I think I'll like having the metal body and higher resolution video.

 

[vijayrff]

3 for me

3 for me

nigelb,

I found the 3 easier to handle. For me, the fact that the 3 grip was longer and shallower was better.

Vijay

 

[vidgamer]

I like the Nex-5 grip. I admit that I like the idea of better video, but in reality, I'm not sure it matters. 720p is still really good. If the only difference was the video, I probably would have saved the cash. But handling is important.

 

[douglasf13]

Wireless remote was a big reason to choose the NEX-5, for me.

 

[Alowisney]

Thanks for your input everyone! I just ordered a black NEX 5 with the 16mm and 18-55mm lenses, extra battery, and a 16 gig class 10 SDHC card. I'm so excited! I also ordered the Rainbow Imaging clip on hard plastic LCD cover. I'm really looking forward to using this camera!

 

[raid]

Congrats.The NEX is a good camera.

 

[uhoh7]

you'll love it.

here's the one thing from sony I should have got sooner:

that's the 114.00 .75 converter which amounts to a very cheap and very fast 12mm CV heliar with AF 🙂

if anything, it seems to be sharper than the 16 by itself

millsart at the FM thread pushed me over the edge on this one, and I don't regret it.

 

[mlh1810]

I got the nex 3 and I love it, I would only go for the 5 if the video was more important to me.
Get the 3 and with the spare cash you saved from buying the 5 you can get yourself an adapter and a nice lens.