Sony Alpha NEX-3 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera w/18-55mm Lens (Black)

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-3 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera w/18-55mm Lens (Black):

I bought this camera for a trip and pictures of grandchildren.
It is an amazing camera. I only used th auto controls, but every picture was great. I love the light weight and fast shutter speed, which was the main reason I chose this camera. I had read that the battery did not last long, but I have not had any problem using the camera all day and still having plenty of battery life left. I am very satisfied with my purchase.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-3 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera w/18-55mm Lens (Black):

I travel a lot and by profession I am web designer. I receive lot of queries from my clients to take pictures for their stuff like Jewelry, Ornaments, Machine Tools etc. Earlier I had difficulties taking pictures with other brand camera. They are bulky and complex. After using Sony Nex-3 camera it becomes so easy to photograph products for my clients. It's intelligent scene mode is just perfect. Camera can fit in my pocket and it's very light weight. It's 18-55mm lens is very useful for taking high resolution pictures for print and web. Recently, I traveled to Ajanta and Ellora caves in India where taking flash pictures is prohibit. I switched my camera to intelligent scene mode and it clicked brilliant pictures from dark caves where there's almost no light. For taking jewelry pictures, I used to have light tent and various lighting effects, but now I don't require any stuff like that. Just Sony nex-3 camera is enough.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-3 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera w/18-55mm Lens (Black):

The Nex-3 is nice. Unfortunately sony has really held this camera back from its full potential. With the APS-C sensor and processing power this has could easily compete with the Canon t2i but Sony has choked the camera through the firmware restrictions. This is sad and it's simply to get folks to purchase the next step up even though the camera would be capable. For example, the Nex-3 could easily produce 1080p video if the firmware would allow it or manual focus in video mode. It needs an intervalometer for time-laps photos and a composite video output. It also needs a remote trigger option.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-3 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera w/18-55mm Lens (Black):

Been using this camera (w/ 18-55mm lens) for about a month. Never had an dslr before so this camera takes the best pictures i have had. Low light shots are amazing, but due to the small aperature of the lens your subject cant be moving. Great outdoor lens though. The camera has lots of features so that a pro has access to all the controls but my wife can just point and shoot as well. Really enjoying this camera and cant wait to get a longer lens for some wildlife shots. The tilt up screen is great for tolder shots, getting low for their eye level is super easy.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-3 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera w/18-55mm Lens (Black):

I'm not going to give the world's most complete review, just include some bits that didn't show up in others' reviews that I think is good info to have. I bought this to replace my Olympus E510 as my small travel camera. The Olympus was good at ISO 200 (as far as image quality) but came nowhere near to anything modern. I didn't replace the Oly with another Olympus or Panasonic because I grew tired of the differing perspective (and lack of shallow depth of field) of 4/3rd or micro 4/3rd cameras relative to APS-C or 35mm.

When you read the reviews on the web (by the sites that give in-depth reviews) they make it seem that the zoom kit lens is horrible as far as distortion. The truth is that the distortion is noticeable, and one of the things that you will get with micro 4/3rd cameras is in-camera correction of distortion. So, if you find yourself needing to shoot a lot of straight vertical lines at any focal length, you might be really disappointed with the way this lens performs. That said, in real world shooting of objects and people, the distortion is not really noticeable. The reviews also mention poor corner sharpness wide open. Again, unless you're shooting vertical lines wide open, you won't care. Especially if you're going for shallow depth of field, corner sharpness isn't a concern, and the lens has no apparent light falloff. The lens is sharp all around. I've found that at 24mm, the distortion is best controlled. At that focal length (a 35 in 35mm), maximum aperture is f4. For me, having a small camera with a sharp 35/f4 lens, stabilized by 3-4 stops, with great image quality up to ISO 1600 is fabulous. I don't think there's another kit as small as this for this price - especially with a tilting screen.

Image quality is useful all the way up to ISO 12800. At 6400 and 12800, I find I want to switch to black and white because the colors/grain effect just aren't pretty. Image stabilization works great. Autofocus is fast enough, but keep in mind you can only get 7 frames a second without autofocus tracking. My modern comparisons for image stabilization and image quality are a Rebel T2i. I can't make a comparison with anything high end.

I don't mind the lack of a viewfinder, because I find the accuracy of visible depth of field on the LCD to be priceless. The menu system is not the best laid out ever, but make sure your camera has firmware version 3, because that makes a world of difference. (If you do have to do an update, you'll need a PC, because the update from the Sony site won't run on a MAC.)

I find the auto white balance to run a little bit on the red side, but that may also be the balance of the camera's LCD screen. Reviews have mentioned that default sharpening is a bit low. At ISOs 200 and 400 I find I want to up the sharpening by one point, but I find the default to work well at ISOs 800 and 1600. There's a good bit of customization possible as far as sharpness, saturation, and contrast in the different color modes.

Battery life isn't very good, and to me the Sony software serves only the purpose of converting RAW files.

One thing I like, that pleasantly surprised me, is that the video mode uses all the settings that you have selected for still images. So you can adjust color, contrast, white balance, etc. in the still mode and those all transfer when you click the video button.

To sum up, it's a unique camera. It gives great image quality, but not without its little compromises. Those compromises to me are really only significant in the distortion of the lens. It's hard to think of buying into a nex system, but I would really relish an alpha mount 50/1.8 or 35/2.0 as a small documentary setup. I wonder what they will do about future flash capability. Having bounce and tilt is almost a necessity to me, and it would seem difficult to fit a sizeable flash onto the accessory shoe they've created.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-3 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera w/18-55mm Lens (Black):

Great intro to SLR. High Def video makes this camera my all in one solution for still and video.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-3 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera w/18-55mm Lens (Black):

Bought this as an alternative to lugging around my Canon 40D. Love the 40D, but wanted to go lighter and retain the same level of quality for landscapes and people. When I do an airshow, the 40D will come back out. So far, I've been very pleased with the quality of images, especially the low light stuff! The sweep panorama is a lot of fun too! I also have a Canon point and shoot, and it's light, small, and easy to use, but not very good for anything serious. The NEX-3 is perfect for my needs. I didn't go with the NEX-5 because I don't really need HD video beyond what the NEX-3 can do, and everything else is pretty much the same.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-3 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera w/18-55mm Lens (Black):

Exceptional low-light performance thanks to the large sensor. Great bokeh quality. Updated to firmware v3, a very usable, pro-feeling camera. Takes great pictures. Very small for its capabilities. Overall, and amazing piece of kit.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-3 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera w/18-55mm Lens (Black):

My good friend was looking for an entry-level dSLR and I was helping him by giving suggestions. I suddenly remembered the NEX series so I went and read reviews. Most of the complaints was about the menu system and lack of buttons. I own a Canon system (my peak was 4x bodies including 5D-series and 1D-series and 14 different L lenses). I currently have 2 dSLR bodies and seven L lenses plus the G11 (from a G9) for light day duty.

Unfortunately, I have never been happy with the G-series. For the price, the quality is still P&S quality, don't believe all the hypercrap reviews that it is the best in its price range.

Anyhow, I was sold when I read that it is using APS-C sensor, can go up to ISO 12,800 - although, I know I will not use that - I told my self I would be happy if I could shoot clean ISO 1600.

My very high expectations were surpassed when I got this camera. I can shoot HDR, handheld low-light shots, panoramas, etc with ease!!!! This camera is a lot of fun. This is a camera that can take high-quality shots even if you are too lazy to analyze your shots - it is a great tool with all the bells and whistles.

I bought an EOS adapter from the bay to use my L lenses. Unfortunately, L lenses don't have aperture rings to adjust them so I bought some FD lenses and FD adapter so I can shoot wide aperture primes.

The only wish I have with the system is be able to trigger my 580ex-II's with my Elinchrom RF triggers. I know it will be just a matter of time before someone gets them in the market, this system will definitely have more use that my 5D, 5D-II and mark-1 series.

I will give them 4.5 stars. The missing half-star is because it cannot trigger my RF strobes. But for image quality, performance and value, this is the closest thing you can get to dSLR territory.

I sold my G11 the day before I bought this one and also sold my Flip video cam for this baby.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-3 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera w/18-55mm Lens (Black):

Small, but not pocket sized. Big chip, good quality shots, but not a pro camera. It's a Tweener!

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-3 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera w/18-55mm Lens (Black):

I bought it because I needed something better then "point & shoot" but SLR camera was too complicated for me. And it was right choice!

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-3 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera w/18-55mm Lens (Black):

Easy to use, have a great desing and good image.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-3 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera w/18-55mm Lens (Black):

Despite the attraction of a point and shoot APS-C format, the Sony NEX 3 give you soft focus and color differentiation and a little too much contrast for most subjects. Very disappointing.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-3 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera w/18-55mm Lens (Black):

I was looking for a walk-around camera. After several disappointing experiences with point and shoot's I decided to spring for this one. I'm currently on vacation and have not missed leaving my DSLR's back at the room one bit. The camera with the kit 18-55 has served me well for most shooting situations. The video is a definite plus. My feeling is that in 5-7 years this will be the body style most 'pros' carry around. The main drawback is the 18-55. It has got to have the worst distortion of any lens I have put on a camera. Its got barrel distortion at the wide and pincushion at the telephoto end. Thankfully LR3 has a built in profile but you must shoot RAW or you will wind up manually correcting the distortion. But heck the whole camera costs less than one of my DSLR lenses so trade-offs are to be expected.....The menu system is not that bad but Sony is coming out with firmware V3 that will make the menu system that will give the most used features faster access. An additional plus is adapters that allow you to mount just about any lens ever made on this camera. Its manual focus but I'm thinking about getting an M42 adapter and trying out one of those old Russian Zeiss knockoffs that you can get for a well under $100.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-3 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera w/18-55mm Lens (Black):

I bought it for hikes, but fell in love with the compactness, the tiltable LCD screen, and the ease to get high quality shots with the camera. I chose the NEX-3 since I have no desire to shoot HD video.

The availability of adapters to use such a variety of lenses was a real plus as well. Very pleased with the system and do not feel the menu is too hard to deal with.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-3 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera w/18-55mm Lens (Black):

Nice and portable - sure companion in foreign travels. Great color, metering. Wonderfully implemented auto-mode.
Was torn between this and Nex-5 model. Quite happy with my choice - body is a big bigger, which is good for larger hands, still it feels quite solid for plastic.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-3 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera w/18-55mm Lens (Black):

[...]I have owned a number of digital cameras from the get-go. I use them and pass them down to family members with the exception of one model I will not mention. That model camera still takes better pictures than any DSLR on the market today hands down, the reason I never purchased a DSLR. I ordered a Sony NEX-3 to fill a gap that my favorite camera could not fill. I needed a small in size, wide angle, 16x9, fast shooting, high capacity camera to complement my favorite camera. As I expected, the Sony NEX-3 fills all my expectations and takes as great of images as any DSLR today but still is no match in quality to my favorite camera. What I find so outstanding about the NEX-3 is the ability to add an adapter so that I can use my old Canon FD 35mm lens and the results I get from such a set up. The glass in those large lens produce outstanding images. I have saved a lot of money and found a camera that can exceed the quality of my favorite camera.The only shortfall with the NEX-3 is not having a viewfinder, in some situations only. I had no problem using the MENU and would not change anything. It just takes a little time to learn and requires using to stay up on it. I love the camera so much I purchased one with the 16mm and the other with the 18mm-55mm. Both are NEX-3 but I use the Canon 35mm-105mm FD lens most of the time.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-3 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera w/18-55mm Lens (Black):

I have found the new camera Sony NEX-3 to be a very good camera. But I was somehow under the impression that the zoom lens would have an automated control. Silly me.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-3 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera w/18-55mm Lens (Black):

I use it for everything from outings with friends and family to scenery and sunsets. Takes great pictures. Flip out LCD is very easy to use for framing shots.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-3 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera w/18-55mm Lens (Black):

I received my Sony NEX-3 camera two days after placing the order with B&H Photo. The camera has been everything I hoped it would be. It takes outstanding pictures with unbelievable clarity and a high level of detail. It works as expected in all modes of operation. I particularly love its low light capabilities. I've only had it a few weeks now but am confident that I will like it even more as I gain more experience using it.