Sony Nex 3 Manual

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 You are shooting in manual focus mode. Set [AF/MF Select] to [Autofocus].
 Ambient light is insufficient.
 The subject may require special focusing. Use the [Flexible Spot] or manual 
focus function.
The flash does not work.
 Raise the flash (page 23).
 The flash is not attached correctly. Reattach the flash (page 23).
 You cannot use a flash with the following shooting mode:
– [Bracket: Cont.]
– [Sweep Panorama]
– [Night View] and [Hand-held Twilight] in [Scene Selection]
– [Anti Motion Blur]
– Movie recording
Fuzzy white circular spots appear on images shot using the flash.
 Particles (dust, pollen, etc.) in the air reflected the flash light and appeared on 
the image. This is not a malfunction.
The flash takes too long to recharge.
 The flash has been fired in succession in a short period. When the flash has 
been fired in succession, the recharging process may take longer than usual 
to avoid overheating of the flash.
The image taken with the flash is too dark.
 If the subject is beyond the flash range (the distance that the flash can reach), 
the pictures will be dark because the flash light does not reach the subject. If 
the ISO is changed, the flash range also changes with it.
The date and time are recorded incorrectly.
 Set the correct date and time (page 25).
 The area selected with [Area Setting] is different from the actual area. Set  
the actual area by selecting [Menu] t [Setup] t [Area Setting].
The aperture value and/or shutter speed flashes when you press 
the shutter button halfway down.
 Since the subject is too bright or too dark, it is beyond the available range of 
the camera. Adjust the setting again. 
						

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The image is whitish (Flare).
Blurring of light appears on the image (Ghosting).
 The picture was taken under a strong light source, and excessive light has 
entered the lens. When using the zoom lens, attach a lens hood.
The corners of the picture are too dark.
 If any filter or hood is used, take it off and try shooting again. Depending on 
the thickness of the filter and improper attachment of the hood, the filter or 
the hood may partially appear on the image. The optical properties of some 
lenses may cause the periphery of the image to appear too dark (insufficient 
light).
The eyes of the subject come out red.
 Activate the Red Eye Reduction function.
 Get close to the subject, and shoot the subject within the flash range 
(page 36) using the flash.
Dots appear and remain on the LCD monitor.
 This is not a malfunction. These dots are not recorded (page 73).
The image is blurred.
 The picture was taken in a dark location without the flash, resulting in 
camera shake. The use of a tripod or the flash is recommended (page 23). 
[Hand-held Twilight] in [Scene Selection] (page 40) and [Anti Motion Blur] 
(page 40) are also effective in reducing blur.
The exposure value is flashing on the LCD monitor.
 The subject is too bright or too dark for the metering range of the camera.
Images cannot be played back. The folder/file name has been changed on your computer.
 When an image file has been processed by a computer or when the image file 
was recorded using a model other than that of your camera, playback on your 
camera is not guaranteed.
 The camera is in USB mode. Delete the USB connection.
Viewing images 
						

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Precautions
Notes on the LCD monitor 
and lens
 The LCD monitor is manufactured 
using extremely high-precision 
technology so over 99.99 % of the 
pixels are operational for effective 
use. However, there may be some 
tiny black points and/or bright 
points (white, red, blue or green in 
color) that constantly appear on the 
LCD monitor. These points are 
normal in the manufacturing 
process and do not affect the 
images in any way.
 Do not hold the camera by taking 
hold of the LCD monitor.
 Do not expose the camera to direct 
sunlight. If sunlight is focused on a 
nearby object, it may cause a fire. 
When you must place the camera 
under direct sunlight, attach the 
lens cap.
 A magnet is attached to the back of 
the LCD monitor. Do not put 
objects that are affected by 
magnetic fields, such as a floppy 
disk or a credit card, between the 
LCD monitor and the camera 
body. Images may trail across on the 
LCD monitor in a cold location. 
This is not a malfunction. When 
turning on the camera in a cold 
location, the LCD monitor may 
become temporarily dark.
 Do not press against the LCD 
monitor. The monitor may be 
discolored and that may cause a 
malfunction.
Do not use/store the 
camera in the following 
places
 In an extremely hot, dry or humid 
place
In places such as in a car parked in 
the sun, the camera body may 
become deformed and this may 
cause a malfunction.
 Storing under direct sunlight or 
near a heater
The camera body may become 
discolored or deformed, and this 
may cause a malfunction.
 In a location subject to rocking 
vibration
 Near strong magnetic place
 In sandy or dusty places
Be careful not to let sand or dust 
get into the camera. This may 
cause the camera to malfunction, 
Black, white, 
red, blue and 
green points
Magnet 
						

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and in some cases this malfunction 
cannot be repaired.
On storingBe sure to attach the lens cap when 
not using the camera.
On operating temperaturesYour camera is designed for use 
under the temperatures between 0°C 
and 40°C (32°F and 104°F). 
Shooting in extremely cold or hot 
places that exceed this range is not 
recommended.
On moisture condensationIf the camera is brought directly 
from a cold to a warm location, 
moisture may condense inside or 
outside the camera. This moisture 
condensation may cause a 
malfunction of the camera.
How to prevent moisture 
condensation
When bringing the camera from a 
cold place to a warm place, seal the 
camera in a plastic bag and allow it 
to adapt to conditions at the new 
location over about an hour.
If moisture condensation occursTurn off the camera and wait about 
an hour for the moisture to 
evaporate. Note that if you attempt 
to shoot with moisture remaining 
inside the lens, you will be unable to 
record clear images.
On the internal 
rechargeable battery
This camera has an internal 
rechargeable battery for maintaining 
the date and time and other settings 
regardless of whether the power is on or off, or the battery is installed 
or not. This rechargeable battery is 
continually charged as long as you 
are using the camera. However, if 
you use the camera for only short 
periods, it discharges gradually, and 
if you do not use the camera at all for 
about three months it becomes 
completely discharged. In this case, 
be sure to charge this rechargeable 
battery before using the camera. 
However, even if this rechargeable 
battery is not charged, you can still 
use the camera as long as you do not 
record the date and time. If the 
camera resets the settings to the 
defaults each time you charge the 
battery, the internal rechargeable 
battery may be dead. Consult your 
Sony dealer or local authorized Sony 
service facility.
Charging method of the internal 
rechargeable battery
Insert a charged battery pack into the 
camera, or connect the camera to a 
wall outlet (wall socket) using the 
AC Adaptor (sold separately), and 
leave the camera for 24 hours or 
more with the power off.
On memory cardsDo not attach a label, etc. on a 
memory card or a card adaptor. This 
may cause a malfunction.
Notes on recording/
playback
 When you use a memory card with 
this camera for the first time, it is 
recommended to format the card 
using the camera for stable 
performance of the memory card 
before shooting. Note that  
						

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formatting permanently erases all 
data on the memory card, and is 
unrecoverable. Save precious data 
on a computer, etc.
 If you repeatedly record/delete 
images, fragmentation of data may 
occur on the memory card. Movies 
may not be able to be saved or 
recorded. In such a case, save your 
images to a computer or other 
storage location, then format the 
memory card.
 The recorded contents cannot be 
compensated for even if recording 
or playback is not possible due to a 
malfunction of the camera or 
memory card, etc.
 To avoid the potential risk of data 
loss, always copy (back up) data to 
other medium.
 Before you record one-time events, 
make a trial recording to make sure 
that the camera is working 
correctly.
 This camera is neither dust-proof, 
nor splash-proof, nor water-proof.
 Do not aim the camera at the sun 
or other bright light. It may cause 
the malfunction of the camera.
 Do not look at the sun or a strong 
light through a removed lens. This 
may cause irrecoverable damage to 
your eyes. Or it may cause a 
malfunction of the lens.
 Do not use the camera near a 
location that generates strong radio 
waves or emits radiation. The 
camera may not be able to record 
or play back properly.
 Using the camera in sandy or dusty 
locations may cause malfunctions. If moisture condensation occurs, 
remove it before using the camera 
(page 74).
 Do not shake or strike the camera. 
In addition to malfunctions and an 
inability to record images, this may 
render the memory card unusable, 
or cause image data breakdown, 
damage or loss.
 Clean the flash surface before use. 
The heat of flash emission may 
cause dirt on the flash surface to 
become discolored or to stick to 
the flash surface, resulting in 
insufficient light emission.
 Keep the camera, supplied 
accessories, etc., out of the reach 
of children. A memory card, etc., 
may be swallowed. If such 
problem occurs, consult a doctor 
immediately.
Notes when playing movies on 
other devices (NEX-5/5C)
 This camera uses MPEG-4 AVC/
H.264 High Profile for AVCHD 
format recording. Movies recorded 
in AVCHD format with this 
camera cannot be played by the 
following devices.
– Other devices compatible with 
AVCHD format that does not 
support High Profile
– Devices incompatible with the 
AVCHD format
 This camera also uses MPEG-4 
AVC/H.264 Main Profile for MP4 
format recording. For this reason, 
movies recorded in MP4 format 
with this camera cannot be played 
on devices other than those that 
support MPEG-4 AVC/H.264. 
						

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 Discs recorded with HD (high 
definition) image quality can be 
played back only on AVCHD 
format-compatible devices. 
DVD-based players or recorders 
cannot play back HD image quality 
discs, as they are incompatible 
with the AVCHD format. Also, 
DVD-based players or recorders 
may fail to eject HD image quality 
discs.
Warning on copyrightTelevision programs, films, 
videotapes, and other materials may 
be copyrighted. Unauthorized 
recording of such materials may be 
contrary to the provisions of the 
copyright laws.
The pictures used in this 
manual
The photographs used as examples 
of pictures in this manual are 
reproduced images, and are not 
actual images shot using this 
camera.
On the data specifications 
described in this manual
The data on performance and 
specifications is defined under the 
following conditions, except as 
described in this manual: at an 
ordinary ambient temperature of 
25ºC (77°F), and using a battery 
pack that is charged for an hour after 
the CHARGE lamp goes out.
Specifications
Camera
[System]Camera type: Interchangeable lens 
digital camera
Lens: E-mount lens
[Image sensor]Image sensor: 23.4 × 15.6 mm (APS-C 
format) CMOS image sensor
Total pixel number of image sensor: 
Approx. 14 600 000 pixels
Effective pixel number of camera: 
Approx. 14 200 000 pixels
[Anti-dust]System: Charge protection coating on 
Low-Pass Filter and 
electromagnetic vibration 
mechanism
[Auto focus system]System: Contrast detection system
Sensitivity range: 0 EV to 20 EV (at 
ISO 100 equivalent, with F2.8 lens)
[Exposure control]Metering method: 49-segment 
metering by the image sensor
Metering range: 0 EV to 20 EV (at ISO 
100 equivalent, with F2.8 lens)
ISO sensitivity (Recommended 
exposure index): Auto, ISO 200 to 
12800
Exposure compensation: ±2.0 EV (1/3 
EV step)
[Shutter]Type: Electronically-controlled, 
vertical-traverse, focal-plane type
Speed range: 1/4000 second to 30 
seconds, BULB, (1/3 EV step)
Flash sync speed: 1/160 second 
						

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[Recording media]“Memory Stick PRO Duo” media,
SD card
[LCD monitor]LCD panel: 7.5 cm (3.0 type) TFT 
drive
Total number of dots: 921 600 (640 × 3 
(RGB) × 480) dots
[Input/output terminals]USB: miniB
HDMI: HDMI type C minijack
[Power]Used battery pack: Rechargeable 
battery pack NP-FW50
[Others]Exif Print: Compatible
PRINT Image Matching III: 
Compatible
Dimensions:
NEX-5/5C:
Approx. 110.8 × 58.8 × 38.2 mm
(4 3/8 × 2 3/8 × 1 9/16 inches)
(W/H/D, excluding protrusions)
NEX-3/3C:
Approx. 117.2 × 62.6 × 33.4 mm
(4 5/8 × 2 1/2 × 1 3/8 inches)
(W/H/D, excluding protrusions)
Mass:
NEX-5/5C:
Approx. 287 g (10.1 oz)
(including battery and “Memory 
Stick PRO Duo” media)
Approx. 229 g (8.1 oz)
(camera only)
NEX-3/3C:
Approx. 297 g (10.5 oz)
(including battery and “Memory 
Stick PRO Duo” media)
Approx. 239 g (8.4 oz)
(camera only)
Operating temperature: 0°C to 40°C 
(32°F to 104°F)File format:
Still image: JPEG (DCF Ver. 2.0, 
Exif Ver. 2.3, MPF Baseline) 
compliant, DPOF compatible
NEX-5/5C:
Movie (AVCHD format): 
AVCHD Ver. 1.0 compliant
Video: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
Audio: Dolby Digital 2ch, 
equipped with Dolby Digital 
Stereo Creator
 Manufactured under license 
from Dolby Laboratories.
Movie (MP4 format):
Video: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
Audio: MPEG-4 AAC-LC 2ch
NEX-3/3C:
Movie: MPEG-4 Visual
USB communication: Hi-Speed USB 
(USB 2.0 compliant)
FlashFlash guide number: GN 7 (in meters at 
ISO 100)
Recycling time: Approx. 4 seconds
Flash coverage: Covering 16 mm lens 
(focal length that the lens indicates)
Flash compensation: ±2.0 EV (1/3 EV 
step)
Dimensions:
Approx. 35.9 × 23.8 × 42.7 mm
(1 7/16 × 15/16 × 1 11/16 inches)
(W/H/D, excluding protrusions)
Mass: Approx. 20.4 g (0.8 oz) 
						

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LensOn the E18 – 200 mm lens, refer to the instruction manual of the E18 – 200 
mm lens (supplied).
*1The values for equivalent 35 mm-format focal length and angle of view are based 
on digital cameras equipped with an APS-C sized image sensor.
*
2Minimum focus is the shortest distance from the image sensor to the subject.
*3Shutter speed (differs with shooting conditions)
*4The optical shake compensation function is not available.
LensE16 mm single focus 
lensE18 – 55 mm zoom lens
CameraNEX-5A/5CA/5D/5CD/
3A/3CA/3D/3CDNEX-5D/5CD/5K/5CK/
3D/3CD/3K/3CK
Equivalent 
35 mm-format focal 
length*
1 (mm)24 27 - 82.5
Lens groups-elements5-5 9-11
Angle of view*
183° 76° - 29°
Minimum focus*
2
(m (feet))0.24 (0.79) 0.25 (0.82)
Maximum magnification 
(×)0.078 0.3
Minimum f-stopf/22 f/22 - f/32
Filter diameter (mm)49 49
Dimensions (max. 
diameter × height)
(mm (in.))62.0 × 22.5
(2 1/2 × 29/32)62.0 × 60.0
(2 1/2 × 2 3/8)
Mass (g (oz.))67 (2 3/8) 194 (6 7/8)
Compensation effect*
3– *4Approx. 4 steps 
						

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BC-VW1 Battery chargerInput rating: 100 V – 240 V AC, 
50 Hz/60 Hz, 4.2 W
Output rating: 8.4 V DC, 0.28 A
Operating temperature range: 0°C to 
40°C (32° to 104°F)
Storage temperature range: –20°C to 
+60°C (–4°F to +140°F)
Maximum dimensions: Approx. 63 × 
95 × 32 mm (2 1/2 × 3 3/4 × 1 5/16 
inches) (W/H/D)
Mass: Approx. 85 g (3 oz)
Rechargeable battery pack 
NP-FW50
Used battery: Lithium-ion battery
Maximum voltage: DC 8.4 V
Nominal voltage: DC 7.2 V
Maximum charge voltage: DC 8.4 V
Maximum charge current: 1.02 A
Capacity: Typical 7.7 Wh (1 080 mAh)
Minimum 7.3 Wh (1 020 mAh)
Maximum dimensions:
Approx. 31.8 × 18.5 × 45 mm
(1 5/16 × 3/4 × 1 13/16 inches)
(W/H/D)
Mass: Approx. 57 g (2.1 oz)
Design and specifications are subject 
to change without notice.
On focal lengthThe picture angle of this camera is 
narrower than that of a 35 mm-format 
film camera. You can find the 
approximate equivalent of the focal 
length of a 35 mm-format film camera, 
and shoot with the same picture angle, 
by increasing the focal length of your 
lens by half.
For example, by using a 50 mm lens, 
you can get the approximate equivalent 
of a 75 mm lens of a 35 mm-format 
film camera.
On image data 
compatibility
 This camera conforms with DCF 
(Design rule for Camera File system) 
universal standard established by 
JEITA (Japan Electronics and 
Information Technology Industries 
Association).
 Playback of images recorded with 
your camera on other equipment and 
playback of images recorded or 
edited with other equipment on your 
camera are not guaranteed.
Trademarks  is a trademark of Sony 
Corporation.
 “Memory Stick,”  , “Memory 
Stick PRO,”  , 
“Memory Stick Duo,” 
, “Memory 
Stick PRO Duo,” 
, “Memory 
Stick PRO-HG Duo,” 
, “Memory 
Stick Micro,” “MagicGate,” and 
 are trademarks of 
Sony Corporation.
 “InfoLITHIUM” is a trademark of 
Sony Corporation.
 “PhotoTV HD” is a trademark of 
Sony Corporation.
 “Blu-ray Disc” and the logo are 
trademarks.
 “AVCHD” and “AVCHD” logotype 
are trademarks of Panasonic 
Corporation and Sony Corporation.
 Dolby and the double-D symbol are 
trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
 Microsoft, Windows, and Windows 
Vista are either registered trademarks 
or trademarks of Microsoft 
Corporation in the United States and/
or other countries. 
						

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 HDMI, the HDMI logo and High-
Definition Multimedia Interface are 
trademarks or registered trademarks 
of HDMI Licensing LLC.
 Macintosh and Mac OS are 
trademarks or registered trademarks 
of Apple Inc.
 PowerPC is a registered trademark of 
IBM Corporation in the United 
States.
 Intel, Intel Core, and Pentium are 
trademarks or registered trademarks 
of Intel Corporation.
 SDXC logo and SDHC logo are 
trademarks of SD-3C, LLC.
 Eye-Fi is a trademark of Eye-Fi Inc.
 MultiMediaCard is a trademark of 
MultiMediaCard Association.
 “PlayStation” is a registered 
trademark of Sony Computer 
Entertainment Inc.
 Adobe is a registered trademark or a 
trademark of Adobe Systems 
Incorporated in the United States and/
or other countries.
 In addition, system and product 
names used in this manual are, in 
general, trademarks or registered 
trademarks of their respective 
developers or manufacturers. 
However, the ™ or ® marks are not 
used in all cases in this manual.