Sony a5100 has a
24.0MP APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Bionz X 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.
Sony a5100's sensor provides 8MP more than Sony NEX-3N's sensor, which gives a significant advantage in real life. You can print your images larger or crop more freely.
On the other hand, please keep in mind that Max sensor resolution is not the only determinant of resolving power. Factors such as the optical elements, low pass filter, pixel size and sensor technology also affects the final resolution of the captured image.
Below you can see the a5100 and NEX-3N sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Sony a5100 and Sony NEX-3N Cameras
Sony a5100 and Sony NEX-3N have the same sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture. On the other hand, since Sony NEX-3N has 49% larger pixel area (22.87µm 2 vs 15.28µm 2 ) compared to Sony a5100, it has larger pixel area to collect light hence potential to have less noise in low light / High ISO images.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
Both Sony a5100 and Sony NEX-3N sensors have been tested by DxoMark. DxoMark 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. Of the two cameras that we are comparing, a5100 has scored 80, 6 points higher than NEX-3N.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Sony a5100
80
23.8 bits
12.7 Evs
1347 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
Sony a5100
or the
Sony NEX-3N ,
including hyperfocal distance.
