Sony NEX-3 vs Canon EOS Rebel XSi

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-3 and Canon EOS Rebel XSi. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Sony NEX-3

Canon EOS Rebel XSi

Manufacturing

Sony NEX-3 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS Rebel XSi is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.

Sony NEX-3 were released 2010 and Canon EOS Rebel XSi was released 2008. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera	Released
Sony NEX-3	2010
Canon EOS Rebel XSi	2008

Type of camera

Sony NEX-3 is a Mirrorless camera while Canon EOS Rebel XSi is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony NEX-3 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Canon EOS Rebel XSi has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera	Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony NEX-3	75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS Rebel XSi	80 mm Canon APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Sony NEX-3 has a 14 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS Rebel XSi has 12,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera	Megapixels
Sony NEX-3	14 MP 14033152 pixels 4592 x 3056
Canon EOS Rebel XSi	12,2 MP 12166656 pixels 4272 x 2848

Sony NEX-3 has a 15 % larger resolution than Canon EOS Rebel XSi. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Sony NEX-3 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS Rebel XSi. Sony NEX-3 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 12800 while Canon EOS Rebel XSi has 100 to 1600.

Camera	ISO Range
Sony NEX-3	200-12800
Canon EOS Rebel XSi	100-1600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony NEX-3
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS Rebel XSi

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony NEX-3 can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS Rebel XSi can shoot up to 3,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Sony NEX-3	7
Canon EOS Rebel XSi	3,5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Sony NEX-3. Unfortunately Canon EOS Rebel XSi does not support recording movies and movie clips.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS Rebel XSi weighs 524 gr (equal to 1.16 lb) which is 76% heavier than Sony NEX-3 and its 297 gr (or 0.65 lb).

Camera	Weight
Sony NEX-3	297 gr 0.65 lb
Canon EOS Rebel XSi	524 gr 1.16 lb