Nikon D5000 has a
12.0MP APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Expeed processor. On the other hand, Sony NEX-3N has a
16.0MP APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Bionz processor.
Below you can see the D5000 and NEX-3N sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon D5000 and Sony NEX-3N Cameras
Nikon D5000 and Sony NEX-3N have almost the same sensor size, so neither of them has any significant advantage over the other in terms of providing control over depth of field when used with the same focal length and aperture.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
DxOMark is a benchmark that scientifically assesses image quality of camera sensors. It scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Nikon D5000 and Sony NEX-3N sensors have been tested by DxO and the results show that NEX-3N has a better overall score of 74, 2 points higher compared to D5000's score of 72.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Nikon D5000
72
22.7 bits
12.5 Evs
868 ISO
Sony NEX-3N
74
22.8 bits
12.5 Evs
1067 ISO
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Nikon D5000
or the
Sony NEX-3N ,
including hyperfocal distance.
