As an avid photographer, I've been looking for something less complex and less expensive than a DSLR for many years. I came across the NEX-3 and the price was attractive. After much research I bought this camera as a 'second hand' item from Revain Warehouse Deals a few weeks ago which saved me over $100! I wasn't sure what to expect but this camera was brand new. It was marked "like new" so I'm guessing it was bought and opened and then returned immediately. At the time of writing this review I see there aren't any left for the price I paid so I'm lucky. Since receiving the camera I have taken about 2000 photos with it. Every review I read here and on popular gadget websites is true. This is an amazing upgrade from P&S and will not disappoint. In fact, I bought this camera around the same time my cousin bought the Nikon d5100 and she doubted if she made the right choice after seeing the photos I uploaded to Facebook. I was able to get some amazing shots with little to no knowledge of shutter speed, aperture and ISO. Meanwhile, my cousin struggles with her SLR camera. I learned a lot about photography with the NEX-3. The smart modes are great, but now I mainly shoot in A/S/M mode, which gives me a lot more control. That's the beauty of this camera. It's pretty good even in automatic mode, but in more experienced hands it really excels. Without going into too much detail all I can say is that this camera is great if you want to take up photography as a hobby. And if you're into photography, you also know that lenses are even more important than the camera itself. The Sony E-mount system is still young, so we're short on options, but it looks like it's the future for Sony is. You buy a system that has to be durable. E-mount lenses may be expensive, but that's the price you pay for OSS and fast autofocus. However, note that there is a very strong market for adapters that will allow you to use some amazing manual lenses. I just bought some inexpensive lenses and adapters and can't wait to try them out. I also find it reassuring to know that if I buy more expensive lenses I can use them on other bodies if I ever decide to switch to a DSLR. And now the most important thing. I may never need an update. This little camera performs as well, if not better than many entry-level DSLRs! If there are any downsides, it's the battery life, which has been improved on the new NEX-C3, and the lack of an external flash. The latter is rather minor because it defeats the purpose of such a small camera altogether. I am very happy with my purchase and would recommend it to anyone involved in photography. If you're a professional photographer, or plan to become a pro at some point, I'd suggest sticking with a DSLR, but it's a great addition to your arsenal if you've got the money to burn. Be sure to buy an extra battery! (why put 4 stars)
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