Canon 550D vs Sony NEX-3

The Canon EOS 550D (called Canon T2i in some regions) and the Sony Alpha NEX-3 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in February 2010 and May 2010. The 550D is a DSLR, while the NEX-3 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. Both cameras are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 17.9 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 14 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Canon 550D		Sony NEX-3
Digital single lens reflex		Mirrorless system camera
Canon EF mount lenses		Sony E mount lenses
17.9 MP – APS-C sensor		14 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/30p Video		720/30p Video
ISO 100-6,400 (100 - 12,800)		ISO 200-12,800
Optical viewfinder		Viewfinder optional
3.0" LCD – 1040k dots		3.0" LCD – 920k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
3.7 shutter flaps per second		7 shutter flaps per second
440 shots per battery charge		330 shots per battery charge
129 x 98 x 62 mm, 530 g		117 x 62 x 33 mm, 297 g

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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 550D and the Sony Alpha NEX-3? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon 550D and the Sony NEX-3 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The NEX-3 can be obtained in three different colors (black, silver, red), while the 550D is only available in black.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony NEX-3 is considerably smaller (43 percent) than the Canon 550D. Moreover, the NEX-3 is substantially lighter (44 percent) than the 550D. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the 550D nor the NEX-3 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Both cameras have similarly sized sensors, but DSLRs have a larger flange-to-focal plane distance than mirrorless cameras, which imposes contraints on the optical engineering process and generally leads to bigger and heavier lenses. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Canon EF Lens Catalog (550D) and the Sony E-Mount Lens Catalog (NEX-3). Mirrorless cameras, such as the NEX-3, have moreover the advantage that they can use many lenses from other systems via adapters, as they have a relatively short flange to focal plane distance.

Concerning battery life, the 550D gets 440 shots out of its Canon LP-E8 battery, while the NEX-3 can take 330 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-FW50 power pack.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Canon 550D	129 mm	98 mm	62 mm	530 g	440	n	Feb 2010	US$ 699	ebay.com
2.		Sony NEX-3	117 mm	62 mm	33 mm	297 g	330	n	May 2010	US$ 599	ebay.com
3.		Canon 500D	129 mm	98 mm	62 mm	520 g	400	n	Mar 2009	US$ 799	ebay.com
4.		Canon 600D	133 mm	100 mm	80 mm	570 g	440	n	Feb 2011	US$ 599	ebay.com
5.		Canon 650D	133 mm	100 mm	79 mm	575 g	440	n	Jun 2012	US$ 849	ebay.com
6.		Canon 700D	133 mm	100 mm	79 mm	580 g	440	n	Mar 2013	US$ 649	ebay.com
7.		Canon 750D	132 mm	101 mm	78 mm	555 g	440	n	Feb 2015	US$ 749	ebay.com
8.		Canon 760D	132 mm	101 mm	78 mm	565 g	440	n	Feb 2015	US$ 649	ebay.com
9.		Canon 1100D	130 mm	100 mm	78 mm	495 g	700	n	Feb 2011	US$ 449	ebay.com
10.		Canon 1200D	130 mm	100 mm	78 mm	480 g	500	n	Feb 2014	US$ 449	ebay.com
11.		Canon 4000D	129 mm	102 mm	77 mm	436 g	500	n	Feb 2018	US$ 399	amazon.com
12.		Nikon D5100	128 mm	97 mm	79 mm	560 g	660	n	Apr 2011	US$ 749	ebay.com
13.		Sony A5100	110 mm	63 mm	36 mm	283 g	400	n	Aug 2014	US$ 549	ebay.com
14.		Sony NEX-3N	110 mm	62 mm	35 mm	269 g	480	n	Feb 2013	US$ 499	ebay.com
15.		Sony NEX-5	111 mm	59 mm	38 mm	287 g	330	n	May 2010	US$ 699	ebay.com
16.		Sony NEX-5N	111 mm	59 mm	38 mm	269 g	460	n	Aug 2011	US$ 699	ebay.com
17.		Sony NEX-5R	111 mm	59 mm	39 mm	276 g	330	n	Aug 2012	US$ 749	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The NEX-3 was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 14 percent) than the 550D, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the NEX-3 is 10 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have format factors, respectively, of 1.6 (550D) and 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Canon 550D offers a higher resolution of 17.9 megapixels, compared with 14 MP of the Sony NEX-3. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 4.31μm versus 5.11μm for the NEX-3). Moreover, it should be noted that the NEX-3 is a somewhat more recent model (by 3 months) than the 550D, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units.

The resolution advantage of the Canon 550D implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the 550D for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.9 x 17.3 inches or 65.8 x 43.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.7 x 13.8 inches or 52.7 x 35.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.3 x 11.5 inches or 43.9 x 29.3 cm. The corresponding values for the Sony NEX-3 are 23 x 15.3 inches or 58.3 x 38.8 cm for good quality, 18.4 x 12.2 inches or 46.7 x 31 cm for very good quality, and 15.3 x 10.2 inches or 38.9 x 25.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon EOS 550D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400, which can be extended to ISO 100-12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha NEX-3 are ISO 200 to ISO 12800 (no boost).

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The Overall DXO ratings for the two cameras under consideration are close, suggesting that they provide similar imaging performance. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Canon 550D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.1	11.5	784	66
2.		Sony NEX-3	APS-C	14.0	4592	3056	720/30p	22.1	12.0	830	68
3.		Canon 500D	APS-C	15.1	4752	3168	1080/20p	21.7	11.5	663	63
4.		Canon 600D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.1	11.5	793	65
5.		Canon 650D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.7	11.2	722	62
6.		Canon 700D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.7	11.2	681	61
7.		Canon 750D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	22.7	12.0	919	71
8.		Canon 760D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	22.6	12.0	915	70
9.		Canon 1100D	APS-C	12.2	4272	2848	720/30p	21.9	11.0	755	62
10.		Canon 1200D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.9	11.3	724	63
11.		Canon 4000D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.9	11.4	695	63
12.		Nikon D5100	APS-C	16.1	4928	3264	1080/30p	23.5	13.6	1183	80
13.		Sony A5100	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.8	12.7	1347	80
14.		Sony NEX-3N	APS-C	16.0	4912	3264	1080/60i	22.8	12.5	1067	74
15.		Sony NEX-5	APS-C	14.0	4592	3056	1080/60i	22.2	12.2	796	69
16.		Sony NEX-5N	APS-C	16.0	4912	3264	1080/60i	23.6	12.7	1079	77
17.		Sony NEX-5R	APS-C	16.0	4912	3264	1080/60i	23.7	13.1	910	78

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the 550D provides a higher video resolution than the NEX-3. It can shoot video footage at 1080/30p, while the Sony is limited to 720/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the 550D has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the NEX-3 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the NEX-3 can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the FDA-SV1. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon 550D and Sony NEX-3 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Canon 550D	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.7/s	Y	n
2.		Sony NEX-3	optional	n	3.0 / 920	tilting	n	1/4000s	7.0/s	n	n
3.		Canon 500D	optical	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.4/s	Y	n
4.		Canon 600D	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	n	1/4000s	3.7/s	Y	n
5.		Canon 650D	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
6.		Canon 700D	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
7.		Canon 750D	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
8.		Canon 760D	optical	Y	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
9.		Canon 1100D	optical	n	2.7 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
10.		Canon 1200D	optical	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
11.		Canon 4000D	optical	n	2.7 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
12.		Nikon D5100	optical	n	3.0 / 921	swivel	n	1/4000s	4.0/s	Y	n
13.		Sony A5100	none	n	3.0 / 922	tilting	Y	1/4000s	6.0/s	Y	n
14.		Sony NEX-3N	optional	n	3.0 / 460	tilting	n	1/4000s	4.0/s	Y	n
15.		Sony NEX-5	optional	n	3.0 / 920	tilting	n	1/4000s	7.0/s	n	n
16.		Sony NEX-5N	optional	n	3.0 / 920	tilting	Y	1/4000s	10.0/s	n	n
17.		Sony NEX-5R	optional	n	3.0 / 920	tilting	Y	1/4000s	10.0/s	n	n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The 550D has one, while the NEX-3 does not. While the built-in flash of the 550D is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The 550D writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the NEX-3 uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS 550D and Sony Alpha NEX-3 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Canon 550D	Y	stereo / -	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
2.		Sony NEX-3	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
3.		Canon 500D	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
4.		Canon 600D	Y	mono / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
5.		Canon 650D	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
6.		Canon 700D	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
7.		Canon 750D	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
8.		Canon 760D	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
9.		Canon 1100D	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
10.		Canon 1200D	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
11.		Canon 4000D	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
12.		Nikon D5100	Y	mono / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
13.		Sony A5100	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
14.		Sony NEX-3N	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	-	-	-
15.		Sony NEX-5	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
16.		Sony NEX-5N	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
17.		Sony NEX-5R	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-

It is notable that the 550D has a microphone port, which is missing on the NEX-3. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

Both the 550D and the NEX-3 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The 550D was replaced by the Canon 600D, while the NEX-3 was followed by the Sony NEX-3N. Further information on the features and operation of the 550D and NEX-3 can be found, respectively, in the Canon 550D Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony NEX-3 Manual.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Which of the two cameras – the Canon 550D or the Sony NEX-3 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Advantages of the Canon EOS 550D:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (17.9 vs 14MP) with a 13% higher linear resolution.
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (1080/30p vs 720/30p).
• Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
• Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 920k dots).
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (440 versus 330) on a single battery charge.
• Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in February 2010).

Arguments in favor of the Sony Alpha NEX-3:

• More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (7 vs 3.7 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More compact: Is smaller (117x62mm vs 129x98mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 233g or 44 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• More legacy lens friendly: Can use many non-native lenses via adapters.
• More affordable: Was released into a lower priced segment (14 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Was introduced somewhat (3 months) more recently.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the match-up finishes in a tie (8 points each). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 550D and the Sony NEX-3 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the 550D or the NEX-3 perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Canon 550D	..	+ +	..	77/100	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2010	US$ 699	ebay.com
2.		Sony NEX-3	..	..	..	70/100	4.5/5	4/5	May 2010	US$ 599	ebay.com
3.		Canon 500D	..	+ +	..	74/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2009	US$ 799	ebay.com
4.		Canon 600D	3/5	o	..	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2011	US$ 599	ebay.com
5.		Canon 650D	4/5	+ +	..	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2012	US$ 849	ebay.com
6.		Canon 700D	..	..	..	76/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2013	US$ 649	ebay.com
7.		Canon 750D	5/5	..	..	75/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	US$ 749	ebay.com
8.		Canon 760D	5/5	+	..	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	US$ 649	ebay.com
9.		Canon 1100D	..	80/100	..	69/100	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2011	US$ 449	ebay.com
10.		Canon 1200D	3/5	+	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2014	US$ 449	ebay.com
11.		Canon 4000D	2.5/5	o	3/5	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Feb 2018	US$ 399	amazon.com
12.		Nikon D5100	5/5	+ +	..	76/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2011	US$ 749	ebay.com
13.		Sony A5100	4.5/5	+	..	..	4.5/5	5/5	Aug 2014	US$ 549	ebay.com
14.		Sony NEX-3N	3/5	..	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2013	US$ 499	ebay.com
15.		Sony NEX-5	3/5	+ +	..	71/100	4.5/5	4/5	May 2010	US$ 699	ebay.com
16.		Sony NEX-5N	3/5	+ +	..	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2011	US$ 699	ebay.com
17.		Sony NEX-5R	..	..	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2012	US$ 749	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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