Sony Alpha NEX-3K Digital Camera 14.2MP w/18-55mm F3.5-5.6 Lens| Black

I have been waiting a lifetime for this camera and it was worth the wait! It provides excellent quality shots in the smallest possible sized body. I am a point-and-shoot user who has been disappointed with the photo quality that comes from even expensive point-and-shoot cameras but who has never bought a DSLR because I knew I would never want to lug one around. If this describes you, then this is your perfect camera. Or, if you own a DSLR and use 5% or less of the features on your camera, this is also the camera for you. On the other hand, if you're a skilled DSLR user, skip this camera because you'll be frustrated the compromises that make this camera a smart choice for the average consumer.Why is this camera "perfect" if you're a typical or even advanced point-and-shoot user?COMPARED WITH POINT-AND-SHOOTS, you'll immediately see the following improvements:- Low light/indoor shots are dramatically better- Quicker shutter response time- Ability to do continuous shooting at 7 frames per second and other DSLR-like features- Great HD videoCOMPARED WITH DSLRs, you get:- A much smaller camera than a DSLR that you can actually carry around on a regular basis- As good or better HD video because of the advanced auto-focus technology in the Sony Alpha Nex which does a better job of continuous auto-focus than the average DSLR- Photo quality that is comparable to a DSLR for the average user (again, if you're an advanced DSLR user, skip this camera)- An easier-to-use camera that was designed to make the most important features very accessible with the advanced features tucked away in the menus. The advanced features are there if you need them but if you're more likely to set the camera on the auto setting, you won't need the advanced stuff much and will appreciate how straight-forward the camera is to use.COMPARED WITH OTHER WANNABE PERFECT CAMERAS, you'll be glad you waited for the Sony Alpha Nex because it's:- Smaller in size than the other options- Has better photo performance due to the larger APS-C sensor (12X the size of a typical point-and-shoot and also significantly larger than the competitive Micro Four Thirds sensor)- Has better video performance- Is similar or cheaper in priceOther wannabe "perfect cameras" I've considered and almost purchased have all been "Micro Four-Thirds" cameras, which owned this category of cameras before the arrival of the Sony Alpha Nex.Panasonic Lumix GF1: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 12.1MP Micro Four-Thirds Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera with 14-45mm LensOlympus PEN E-PL1: Olympus PEN E-PL1 12.3MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera with 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens (Black)And I am glad I waited. The Sony Alpha Nex has better photo and video performance than both, a smaller form factor than both and is cheaper than the Panasonic (though slightly more expensive than the Olympus which cut its price when the Sony was announced).As for the Nex-3 vs Nex-5, if you care about the dollars involved in the price difference, then you should get the Nex-3. Three key differences are not really worth the added cost if you're looking to maximize value: (1) the typical user will not see a noticeable difference between the higher 1080i video resolution in the Nex-5 vs the 720p resolution in the Nex-3 (and I have a hard time believing that home movies can even benefit from the higher resolution). (2) The Nex-5 has a metal body vs plastic for the Nex-3 which is an aesthetic nice-to-have but not a need-to-have. (3) The Nex-5 is marginally smaller in two of the three dimensions (0.2 inch and 0.1 inch). Because of the overall size of the camera with its lens, shaving a little off of the height and width just won't make a practical difference. Spend your savings on stuff that will actually impact how you use the camera like a spare battery or a larger memory card.Other things to note:- The flash is small and detachable, and it's different than almost any other camera you're considering. PRO: you don't need it often because of the great low-light performance and you get a more compact camera as a result. CON: there's a part you can lose or forget to bring with you if you really need it.- If you're looking to own multiple lenses, there aren't many available lenses directly compatible with the camera and they're expensive compared to competing lines. But for the advanced point-and-shoot user, you don't need multiple lenses; just the 18-55mm or if you splurge, the 18-200mm when it comes out (expected fall 2010). But if you have the 18-200mm, the even larger lens starts to erode the benefit of the small body.- While this is very compact compared to a DSLR, it's not really going to fit in a pocket (though it will fit into a purse). The lens still juts out like on a DSLR so it won't be portable like an ultra-compact point-and-shoot. But for high quality shots, there isn't a smaller camera than this one.

This is the Mustang of digital cameras. Tons of horsepower, no sophistication. This is about as much bang-for-buck picture quality you can get in a reasonably small package. What I'm talking about is ISO performance. It's all good all the way up to ISO 3200, and ISO 6400 is surviveable, especially if you shoot RAW. That's about 1.5-2 stops better than a micro 4/3rds. The 18-55 kit lens is decently sharp. Too bad you can't get too close to do macro shots (you'll have to get a close-up filter kit, which is another inconvenience). I can't comment on the 16mm prime, since I don't have it. For [...] shipped with kit zoom lens, that's quite a deal.The autofocus is pretty fast, though sometimes it has to hunt a little, especially in the dark. In most cases it's about as fast as my brother's Panasonic GF1, which is commendable.As you probably already know, the flash comes as a hotshoe add-on (included with purchase). It screws on to lock. It's pretty well diffused but quite weak in range. The operation is pretty simple: flip up to activate flash, flip down to deactivate.The panoramic mode is very well done. It is smooth and intuitive, and the results usually come out great.Operation is pretty fast, though is you set it to auto review after ever shot (which everyone does) and then try to zoom in during the review, it will lag for a second or two.The 720p movies are fantastic in quality. Built-in stereo mic. Sounds pretty good without having to get the hotshoeHigh resolution LCD screen is always nice. Plus it tilts up and down so you don't have to find a stool to stand on to take that really wide angle downwards picture.The arrangement of the interface is quite horrible. Why does it take so many button presses to get to where I can change ISO? Same for white balance. Why can't I set ISO parameters to, say, between 200 and 3200? There a DEDICATED button for tips. Really? Someone from Sony's engineering department thought it was a great idea to throw away all the important buttons and make a dedicated button for helpful tips?One can make the argument that it is geared towards "point-and-shoot" customers, but is that really a valid excuse? Is it so hard to get an APS-C sized sensor in a live-view-oriented body with decent controls? For $550 I'm not going to cry too much about it, but I have to say I was strongly considering the GF1 despite the higher price and huge loss in ISO performance. Just saying, Sony could've made the choice much more obvious by making a more pro-friendly interface and button layout.UPDATE 2010-12-08: Apparently firmware update gives some interface customization options that make life a lot better. You can now map two of the soft keys to do something other than shooting tips. Changing from 4/5 to 5/5 stars.

I bought an expensive--for me anyway--Sony DSLR and was not happy with the complexity of use or the quality of the pics. Plus the size and weight of the DSLR was a pain. I got better pics with a Lumix point and shoot and with a Sony H50 than with the DSLR. So I sold it at a loss and bought the NEX-3. Really glad I did. I got better pics from day 1 than with the DSLR and the NEX is easier to use, while still giving lots of options and interchangeable lenses. Good in low light without the flash. The video is also good, though I did not buy it for video. I am pleased with this camera's all around performance though I have not been able to get great results on freezing moving subjects yet. Probably me, not the camera. I have only the 18-55mm lens--got it for the flexibility. Can't see much use for the 16mm. I am going to add a screw on 2.5x adapter lens using a 49-52mm converter ring to extend the range rather than pay through the nose for the 55-200mm lens. I also bought the LA_EA1 AF adapter so I could use my 55-200 SAL Sony A-mount lens with this camera. That's another story and I will review that separately. If I lost this camera today, I would buy another one tomorrow.