Leica T vs Sony NEX3 — Which Is Better?
Side by side51 specifications |
Leica · Mirrorless · 16 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Leica T
52
WINNER
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 14.2 MP · APS-C · Standard HD video
Sony NEX3
41
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Leica T (2014) and Sony NEX3 (2010) are both APS-C mirrorless cameras, so neither carries a built-in viewfinder and both compose on the rear screen. The Leica T is the newer body by four years and the more connected one, with Wi-Fi for sending photos to a phone. The NEX3 is the lighter and more compact carry at 297 g against 384 g. Their lens mounts differ, Leica T against Sony E, so each ties you to its own native lenses. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2014 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
April 24, 2014 | May 1, 2010 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 134 x 69 x 33 mm | 117 x 62 x 33 mm |
| Camera weight | 384 g | 297 g |
| Optics | 51/100 | 44/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe NEX3 is the stronger camera for moving subjects, shooting at 7 fps with 25 autofocus points where the Leica T offers 5 fps and one autofocus point. A runner crossing the frame or a dog mid-leap is easier to catch with that coverage and pace. The Leica T counters with 16 MP against 14.2 MP, giving a little extra room to crop or print larger. Both share a 1/4000 second maximum shutter, APS-C CMOS sensors and no in-body stabilisation, so handheld work in dim light rests on shutter speed and lens choice. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16 MP050 | 14.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4944 x 3278 | 4592 x 3056 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.7 x 23.6 | 15.6 x 23.4 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
5 fps045 | 7 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Leica T | Sony E |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Maestro II | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
125003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
125003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
10300 | 250300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
None | None |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 43/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFull HD recording belongs to the Leica T alone; the NEX3 tops out at Standard HD, so clips of family events from the T carry more detail. Each camera records at up to 30 fps, keeping normal motion smooth. The Leica T writes MP4 files and the NEX3 uses MPEG-4, a detail worth checking against your editing software. Neither has a built-in interval mode, so a time-lapse project needs an external trigger. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD |  Standard HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1280 x 720 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 30 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MP4 | MPEG-4 |
| Features | 59/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Leica T makes the screen the control surface: a 3.7-inch, 1,300,000-dot touchscreen, against the NEX3's 3-inch, 920,000-dot panel without touch input. Tapping to set focus or change a setting is quicker than button work, and the larger panel shows finer detail. The NEX3 answers with a flip screen that tilts for waist-level and overhead framing, handy for discreet street shots or low portraits of children. Both take external flash, but only the T includes a built-in flash for fill. The T alone adds Wi-Fi, and neither has GPS or weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | No |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | No |
| Screen size | 3.7" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
13000001150001500000 | 9200001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | No |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 24/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBattery life is rated higher on the Leica T, at 400 shots against 330 on the NEX3. Neither charges over USB and both use single card slots, so the battery comes out for charging on either body. Card choice differs: the NEX3 accepts SD, SDHC and SDXC media plus Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo, while the T takes SD, SDHC and SDXC only. Existing Memory Stick cards from older Sony gear go back to work in the NEX3. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BP-DC13 | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
400 shots1505000 | 330 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
| Meta | ||
| Field provenance | — | [object Object] |
| Score validation | ||
Version ⓘThe iteration or release number of a particular lens model. |
— | camera-spec-score-v1-sheet-2026-08-20 |
| Status | — | complete |
| Warnings | — | optics.megapixels=14.2 has a blank points cell in the source sheet and scores zero |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Pick the Leica T for connected everyday shooting: Wi-Fi transfer, a large sharp touchscreen, a built-in flash and Full HD video suit travel and family use. Pick the NEX3 when motion and angle drive your pictures, because 7 fps bursts, 25 autofocus points and a tilting screen fit a football match or a market shot from the hip. Their different mounts commit you to separate lens systems.