Reason to choose between NEX3/NEX5

[pvdhaar]

Well, it's been very hard to finally make a choice. I was originally completely decided on a NEX5 because of its sleeker profile and metal construction. But then I got to hold the two side by side, and it became almost impossible to choose one over the other.

There were two things that unexpectedly ran in favor of the NEX3.. First was the grip. The NEX5 grip is just too small for me. My fingers felt numb after some time. The NEX3 grip is a more comfortable match to my hand. The other thing is the tripod socket. The NEX3 underside is flat. I can put it on an adapter plate without problem. The NEX5 tripod socket is mounted in a narrow bulge that doesn't provide enough stability for small tripod adapter plates.. But when it comes to looks, the NEX5 beats the NEX3; the black of the body looks much deeper, it makes an absolutely solid impression and is sleeker. It took me over an hour of trying both to settle for the NEX3 at last..

Did it take you as long as well? Any other considerations you had?

 

[jsrockit]

But when it comes to looks, the NEX5 beats the NEX3;

I can't agree with this... I hate that the lenses appear oversized on the 5 but look right on the 3.

 

[kshapero]

I went around in circles on this for a few days. Settled on the NEX 3. I liked that it was a little larger, a better fit in my hand. Either way its all good.

 

[douglasf13]

I went with the NEX-5 because of the size, and I wanted the IR remote option.

 

[shadowfox]

Y'know, I tried these in the store, the difference in size between the two are insignificant for me. And to be honest, I still can't get over the fact that they look like a cut-out box attached to the lens.

Not my kind of camera 🙂 , although I do applaud Sony's offering the 16mm prime lens. Wish I had one for my E-P2.

 

[kshapero]

Each to their own, of course, but for me the NEX is like someone having their first Grandchild, plus no diapers to change.

 

[ethics_gradient]

I got the NEX-3 because it was cheaper. No regrets.

 

[hub]

Not my kind of camera 🙂 , although I do applaud Sony's offering the 16mm prime lens. Wish I had one for my E-P2.

There is a m43 Pana 14mm f/2.5. I personaly have the 17mm m.Zuiko f2.8.

Probably not as wide, but close.

In the end more choice on m43

 

[FrankHarries]

I got a 1100 $ Videocam - so I didn't need the better video options oft the NEX-5. I got the Nex - 3 because of the price!

 

[douglasf13]

There is a m43 Pana 14mm f/2.5. I personaly have the 17mm m.Zuiko f2.8.

Probably not as wide, but close.

In the end more choice on m43

There's a big difference between a 24mm and 28mm equivalent lens. 7 more lenses (4 primes, 3 zooms) have been announced for release over the next your or two, so the gap will be narrowing soon. Plus, rangefinder lenses are a lot of fun to use, and the 1.5x crop factor isn't too bad.

 

[douglasf13]

I forgot to mention, also, that Bulb mode with the NEX-5 and remote is much better. Using the IR remote, press once to open shutter, press again to close. However, if you use Bulb mode without the remote on the NEX-3 (or NEX-5,) you have to physically hold down the shutter for the duration of the shoot, which can introduce shake.

 

[ampguy]

if you handle both at the same time, the 5 feels noticeably smaller, although the specs show it just a tad smaller.

 

[berlincontemporary]

The NEX5 grip is just too small for me. My fingers felt numb after some time. The NEX3 grip is a more comfortable match to my hand.

... exactly.

 

[DEcevR]

I agree with douglas.... the IR was the huge difference for me between the two. I do a bunch of time exposures with my NEX5

 

[LeicaFoReVer]

Well does nex3 not incude HD video?? you must be wrong.

 

[hub]

Well does nex3 not incude HD video?? you must be wrong.

The Nex3 only does 720p while the Nex5 does 1080p. 1080p is "Full HD"

 

[ampguy]

Best Buy had the NEX 3 for 550 or so with the kit zoom for US folks.

 

[FPjohn]

Off Topic (but related).

Has anyone used both the Nex and x1? How do the images compare in quality? ...Assuming that a comparable optic is mounted on the Nex.

yours
FPJ

 

[black macleod]

The Nex3 only does 720p while the Nex5 does 1080p. 1080p is "Full HD"

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the specs I've read have the Nex3 doing 720p, while the Nex5 does 1080i ...

Also, has anyone used a LTM adapter with these and can comment? I'd love to try one with some Voitlander glass.

 

[douglasf13]

This is often confused. The NEX-5 records at 1080p 30fps but puts it in a 1080i 60fps wrapper because of the AVHCD codec. When you import into an nle, it behaves like 1080p.

Nex cameras work great with ltm and M adapters!