Sony NEX3

The Sony NEX3 arrived in 2010 as a mirrorless camera, pairing a 14.2 megapixel APS-C sensor with the Sony E mount.

At 297 grams and just 33mm deep, it was built to be carried everywhere. It suits photographers who want interchangeable lenses in a small package, whether for travel, family pictures or learning on a large sensor.

Owning it is straightforward but dated. There is no viewfinder, so you compose on the 3-inch screen, and with no wifi or bluetooth, images come off the memory card.

The optics centre on an APS-C sensor paired with a Bionz image processor. The Optics score of 49 is modest, and the camera sits in the bottom 24% of cameras in our database for Optics.

In-body stabilisation is the most useful feature for handheld work. It reduces camera shake at slower shutter speeds, so you can keep shooting as the light fades. It does not stop subject movement, so anything moving still needs a faster shutter speed.

Burst shooting reaches 7fps at its maximum. Shutter speeds top out at 1/4000, and the ISO range runs from 200 to 12800, spanning bright outdoor scenes and dim interiors.

Framing happens entirely on the 3-inch screen because no viewfinder is fitted. Autofocus uses 25 points, and the Sony E mount gives the camera its interchangeable lens system.

The NEX3 records video in MPEG-4 format, with a maximum resolution of standard HD and a highest frame rate of 60fps; the two are listed as separate maximums rather than a single confirmed recording mode.

The Video score of 47 is modest, and the standard HD resolution ceiling is the main limitation behind it. That resolution is enough for casual clips and family moments played back on a phone or laptop, but it is a basic tier for more deliberate video work. The 60fps maximum frame rate is its stronger specification.

Files stay comparatively small at this resolution, so memory cards fill more slowly during longer recording sessions. There is no built-in timelapse mode, so time-lapse projects fall outside its toolkit.

Framing and playback rely on a 3-inch TFT LCD with 921,000 dots. The screen flips for waist-level and overhead shooting, and live view shows the scene as the sensor sees it.

There is no touchscreen, so settings are adjusted through physical controls. Flash is external only, since nothing is built in, so extra light means packing a separate unit when it matters.

Protection and connectivity are basic. No weather sealing means keeping it out of rain and dust, and with no wifi or bluetooth, copying images means removing the memory card. The Features score of 41 reflects the missing weather sealing, touchscreen and wireless options.

A single slot accepts SD, SDHC and SDXC cards or Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo media, so card choice is flexible. With no second slot, there is no in-camera backup for once-only shoots.

The NP-FW50 battery is rated at 330 shots, a modest figure, so carrying a charged spare is a sensible habit. No test standard is stated for the rating, so treat it as a rough guide.

Charging happens outside the camera; there is no USB charging. The Storage & Battery score of 21 is limited, and the single slot, modest endurance and external charging add up to it. Plan a charger and a spare battery before a long outing.