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Sony NEX-3 vs NEX-F3

The Sony Alpha NEX-3 and the Sony Alpha NEX-F3 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in May 2010 and May 2012. Both the NEX-3 and the NEX-F3 are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The NEX-3 has a resolution of 14 megapixels, whereas the NEX-F3 provides 16 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Sony NEX-3
versus
Sony NEX-F3
Sony NEX-3   Sony NEX-F3
Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
Sony E mount lenses Sony E mount lenses
14 MP – APS-C sensor 16 MP – APS-C sensor
720/30p Video 1080/60i Video
ISO 200-12,800 ISO 100-16,000
Viewfinder optional Viewfinder optional
3.0" LCD – 920k dots 3.0" LCD – 920k dots
Tilting screen (no touchscreen) Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
7 shutter flaps per second 5.5 shutter flaps per second
330 shots per battery charge470 shots per battery charge
117 x 62 x 33 mm, 297 g 117 x 67 x 42 mm, 314 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Sony Alpha NEX-3 and the Sony Alpha NEX-F3? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Sony NEX-3 and the Sony NEX-F3 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The NEX-3 can be obtained in three different colors (black, silver, red), while the NEX-F3 is also available in three color-versions, but different ones (black, silver, white).

Size Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-F3
Compare NEX-3 versus NEX-F3 top
Comparison NEX-3 or NEX-F3 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony NEX-F3 is notably larger (8 percent) than the Sony NEX-3. Moreover, the NEX-F3 is markedly heavier (6 percent) than the NEX-3. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the NEX-3 nor the NEX-F3 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. In this particular case, both cameras feature the same lens mount, so that they can use the same lenses. You can compare the optics available in the Sony E-Mount Lens Catalog. Mirrorless cameras, such as the two under consideration, have the additional advantage of having a short flange to focal plane distance, which makes it possible to mount many lenses from other systems onto the camera via adapters.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Sony NEX-3 117 mm 62 mm 33 mm 297 g 330 n May 2010 599ebay.com
2.
 
Sony NEX-F3 117 mm 67 mm 42 mm 314 g 470 n May 2012 599ebay.com
3.
 
Sony A5100 110 mm 63 mm 36 mm 283 g 400 n Aug 2014 549ebay.com
4.
 
Sony A6000 120 mm 67 mm 45 mm 344 g 360 n Feb 2014 599ebay.com
5.
 
Sony NEX-3N 110 mm 62 mm 35 mm 269 g 480 n Feb 2013 499ebay.com
6.
 
Sony NEX-5T 111 mm 59 mm 39 mm 276 g 330 n Aug 2013 699ebay.com
7.
 
Sony NEX-5R 111 mm 59 mm 39 mm 276 g 330 n Aug 2012 749ebay.com
8.
 
Sony NEX-6 120 mm 67 mm 43 mm 345 g 360 n Sep 2012 999ebay.com
9.
 
Sony NEX-5N 111 mm 59 mm 38 mm 269 g 460 n Aug 2011 699ebay.com
10.
 
Sony NEX-C3 110 mm 60 mm 33 mm 225 g 400 n Jun 2011 599ebay.com
11.
 
Sony NEX-5 111 mm 59 mm 38 mm 287 g 330 n May 2010 699ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The two cameras under review were launched at the same price and fall into the same market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.5. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Sony NEX-3 and Sony NEX-F3 sensor measures

While the two cameras under review share the same sensor size, the NEX-F3 offers a higher resolution of 16 megapixels, compared with 14 MP of the NEX-3. This megapixels advantage translates into a 7 percent gain in linear resolution. On the other hand, these sensor specs imply that the NEX-F3 has a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 4.78μm versus 5.11μm for the NEX-3). However, it should be noted that the NEX-F3 is much more recent (by 2 years) than the NEX-3, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that compensate for the smaller pixel size.

The resolution advantage of the Sony NEX-F3 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the NEX-F3 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 24.6 x 16.3 inches or 62.4 x 41.5 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 19.6 x 13.1 inches or 49.9 x 33.2 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 16.4 x 10.9 inches or 41.6 x 27.6 cm. The corresponding values for the Sony NEX-3 are 23 x 15.3 inches or 58.3 x 38.8 cm for good quality, 18.4 x 12.2 inches or 46.7 x 31 cm for very good quality, and 15.3 x 10.2 inches or 38.9 x 25.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Sony Alpha NEX-3 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha NEX-F3 are ISO 100 to ISO 16000 (no boost).

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

NEX-3 versus NEX-F3 MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. Of the two cameras under consideration, the NEX-F3 has a markedly higher DXO score than the NEX-3 (overall score 5 points higher), which will translate into better image quality. The advantage is based on 0.6 bits higher color depth, 0.3 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.4 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Sony NEX-3 APS-C 14.0 4592 3056720/30p22.112.083068
2.
 
Sony NEX-F3 APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i22.712.3111473
3.
 
Sony A5100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.812.7134780
4.
 
Sony A6000 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.113.1134782
5.
 
Sony NEX-3N APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i22.812.5106774
6.
 
Sony NEX-5T APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60p23.613.0101578
7.
 
Sony NEX-5R APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.713.191078
8.
 
Sony NEX-6 APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.713.1101878
9.
 
Sony NEX-5N APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.612.7107977
10.
 
Sony NEX-C3 APS-C 16.0 4912 3264720/30p22.712.2108373
11.
 
Sony NEX-5 APS-C 14.0 4592 30561080/60i22.212.279669
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the NEX-F3 provides a better video resolution than the NEX-3. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/60i, while the NEX-3 is limited to 720/30p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The NEX-3 and the NEX-F3 are similar in the sense that neither of the two has a viewfinder. The images are, thus, framed using live view on the rear LCD. However, optional viewfinders – the FDA-SV1 for the NEX-3 and the FDA-EV1S for the NEX-F3 – are available as accessories. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Sony NEX-3 and Sony NEX-F3 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Sony NEX-3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 7.0/s n n
2.
 
Sony NEX-F3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.5/s Y n
3.
 
Sony A5100none n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
4.
 
Sony A60001440 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/4000s 11.0/s Y n
5.
 
Sony NEX-3Noptional n3.0 / 460 tilting n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
6.
 
Sony NEX-5Toptional n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
7.
 
Sony NEX-5Roptional n3.0 / 920 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
8.
 
Sony NEX-62359 n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y n
9.
 
Sony NEX-5Noptional n3.0 / 920 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
10.
 
Sony NEX-C3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.5/s n n
11.
 
Sony NEX-5optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 7.0/s n n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The NEX-F3 has one, while the NEX-3 does not. While the built-in flash of the NEX-F3 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

Both cameras have an articulated rear screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This feature will be particularly appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the NEX-3 and the NEX-F3 write their files to SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Sony Alpha NEX-3 and Sony Alpha NEX-F3 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Sony NEX-3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
2.
 
Sony NEX-F3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
3.
 
Sony A5100-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
4.
 
Sony A6000Ystereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
5.
 
Sony NEX-3N-stereo / mono--micro2.0---
6.
 
Sony NEX-5TYstereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
7.
 
Sony NEX-5RYstereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
8.
 
Sony NEX-6Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
9.
 
Sony NEX-5NYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
10.
 
Sony NEX-C3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
11.
 
Sony NEX-5Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
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Both the NEX-3 and the NEX-F3 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The NEX-3 was replaced by the Sony NEX-3N, while the NEX-F3 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the NEX-3 and NEX-F3 can be found, respectively, in the Sony NEX-3 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony NEX-F3 Manual.

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Review summary

So how do things add up? Is the Sony NEX-3 better than the Sony NEX-F3 or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.


Reasons to prefer the Sony Alpha NEX-3:

  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (7 vs 5.5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in May 2010).


Advantages of the Sony Alpha NEX-F3:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (16 vs 14MP), which boosts linear resolution by 7%.
  • Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (5 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (0.4 stops ISO advantage).
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (1080/60i vs 720/30p).
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (470 versus 330) out of a single battery charge.
  • Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
  • More modern: Reflects 2 years of technical progress since the NEX-3 launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the NEX-F3 is the clear winner of the contest (7 : 2 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

NEX-3 02:07 NEX-F3

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Sony NEX-3 and the Sony NEX-F3 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the NEX-3 and the NEX-F3 in practical situations. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Sony NEX-3......70/1004.5/54/5 May 2010 599ebay.com
2.
 
Sony NEX-F34/5....74/1004.5/54.5/5 May 2012 599ebay.com
3.
 
Sony A51004.5/5+....4.5/55/5 Aug 2014 549ebay.com
4.
 
Sony A60005/5+4.5/580/1004.5/55/5 Feb 2014 599ebay.com
5.
 
Sony NEX-3N3/5......4.5/54.5/5 Feb 2013 499ebay.com
6.
 
Sony NEX-5T........4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2013 699ebay.com
7.
 
Sony NEX-5R........4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2012 749ebay.com
8.
 
Sony NEX-65/5+ +..78/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 999ebay.com
9.
 
Sony NEX-5N3/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2011 699ebay.com
10.
 
Sony NEX-C33/5+ +..74/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2011 599ebay.com
11.
 
Sony NEX-53/5+ +..71/1004.5/54/5 May 2010 699ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications: Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-F3

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Sony NEX-3 Sony NEX-F3
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Sony E mount lenses Sony E mount lenses
    Launch Date May 2010 May 2012
    Launch Price USD 599 USD 599
    Sensor Specs Sony NEX-3 Sony NEX-F3
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.4 x 15.6 mm 23.4 x 15.6 mm
    Sensor Area 365.04 mm2 365.04 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.1 mm 28.1 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 14 Megapixels 16 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4592 x 3056 pixels 4912 x 3264 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 5.11 μm 4.78 μm
    Pixel Density 3.84 MP/cm2 4.39 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 720/30p Video 1080/60i Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 12,800 ISO 100 - 16,000 ISO
    Image Processor BIONZ BIONZ
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 68 73
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.1 22.7
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 12.0 12.3
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 830 1114
    Screen Specs Sony NEX-3 Sony NEX-F3
    Viewfinder Type Viewfinder optional Viewfinder optional
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 920k dots 920k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen Tilting screen
    Shooting Specs Sony NEX-3 Sony NEX-F3
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 7 shutter flaps/s 5.5 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium MS or SDXC cards MS or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no no
    Connectivity Specs Sony NEX-3 Sony NEX-F3
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI mini HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Body Specs Sony NEX-3 Sony NEX-F3
    Battery Type Sony NP-FW50 Sony NP-FW50
    Battery Life (CIPA)330 shots per charge470 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 117 x 62 x 33 mm
    (4.6 x 2.4 x 1.3 in)
    117 x 67 x 42 mm
    (4.6 x 2.6 x 1.7 in)
    Camera Weight 297 g (10.5 oz) 314 g (11.1 oz)
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