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Sony NEX-3N Verses Sony NEX-F3 Comparison

The new Sony NEX-3N updates the NEX-F3 and is noticeably more compact, have a look at our comparison.

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Sony NEX-3N Verses Sony NEX-F3 Comparison: Sony Nex 3n Vs Sony Nex F3 (7)

The new Sony NEX-3N is this year's update to the Sony NEX-F3, and features a whole new body, as well as improvements to image quality thanks to a new BOINZ image processing engine. The new body is much more compact than other Sony NEX-3 series cameras, and is designed to look less "plasticy" than previous cameras. The NEX-3N is shown on the left, with the NEX-F3 on the right in these images.

Read our Sony NEX-F3 Review
Read our Sony NEX-3N Hands-On Preview


Sony NEX-3N Vs Sony NEX-F3 Features


Both cameras feature a 16.1 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, the Sony NEX E-Mount, a 3 inch screen on the rear and are both the entry level models in the Sony NEX line-up, with the NEX-3N replacing the NEX-F3.

Key Features:

  • 16.1 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
  • Sony NEX E Mount
  • 25-point AF
  • 3inch tilting screen (460k vs 921k dots on NEX-F3)
  • Full HD video recording with stereo sound
  • Built in pop-up flash
  • New zoom lever on NEX-3N
  • Auto object framing - auto macro, auto AF tracking framing added to NEX-3N
  • Area based Noise Reduction added to NEX-3N
  • ISO button added to NEX-3N
Sony NEX-3N Verses Sony NEX-F3 Comparison: Sony Nex 3n Vs Sony Nex F3 (9)

On the rear, the two cameras look fairly similar, both featuring a 3inch screen, however the NEX-F3 features 921k dots, whereas the NEX-3N has 460k dots. Another difference can be found in how much the screen tilts, with both tilting up for self portraits, however, the NEX-3N screen does not tilt backwards like the NEX-F3.

Sony NEX-3N Verses Sony NEX-F3 Comparison: Sony Nex 3n Vs Sony Nex F3 (8)

On top, the NEX-3N is much smaller, with the flash positioned above the lens mount, and the accessory port is now gone. The NEX-3N has added a zoom control around the shutter release which is now on the top plate. Both cameras feature a focus-assist LED, as well as dedicated video record buttons. The NEX-3N adds a label for the ISO button on the 4-way controller / scroll wheel to help making changes to this setting easier for beginners.

Sony NEX-3N Verses Sony NEX-F3 Comparison: Sony Nex 3n Vs Sony Nex F3 (5)

On the bottom, the NEX-F3 has a seperate battery and memory card compartment with both of these on the bottom, and this would make it difficult or impossible to change the memory card with the camera mounted to a tripod. On the NEX-3N, the memory card slot is now on the side of the camera with the USB/HDMI connections. With a more compact body the NEX-3N weighs less, at 210 grams body only, compared to 255 grams on the NEX-F3 body only, as well as improved battery life with 480 shots compared to 410 on the NEX-F3.

Sony NEX-3N Verses Sony NEX-F3 Comparison: Sony Nex 3n Vs Sony Nex F3 (6)

The Sony NEX-F3 currently costs £399 with the standard sized 18-55mm OSS kit lens, whereas the Sony NEX-3N has an RRP of £400 with the much more compact 16-50mm OSS Power Zoom lens, which makes the price of the new camera very competitive.

Read our Sony NEX-F3 Review
Read our Sony NEX-3N Hands-On Preview


Comparison Table

Sony NEX-3NSony NEX-F3
ManufacturerSonySony
Image Sensor
Pixels16.1Mp (Megapixels)16.1Mp (Megapixels)
Pixels (W)49124912
Pixels (H)32643264
Sensor TypeCMOSCMOS
Sensor SizeAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor Size (width)23.5mm23.5mm
Sensor Size (height)15.6mm15.6mm
Aspect Ratio
  • 3:2
  • 16:9
  • 3:2
LCD Monitor
LCD Monitor3in3in
Screen resolution460k dot921,600
Touch ScreenNoNo
Focusing
Focusing modes
  • Autofocus
  • Autofocus
Exposure Control
Shutter speeds shortest1/4000sec1/4000sec
Shutter speeds longest30sec30sec
Bulb modeYesYes
Exp modes
  • Program
  • Aperture-Priority
  • Shutter-Priority
  • Manual
  • Scene modes
  • AB
  • Program
  • Aperture-Priority
  • Shutter-Priority
  • Manual
  • Scene modes
  • AB
Metering
  • Centre-weighted - Average
  • Multi Pattern
  • Spot
  • Centre-weighted - Average
  • Multi Pattern
  • Spot
ISO sensitivity100 - 16000100 - 25600
White balance
  • Auto
  • Manual
  • Outdoors/Daylight
  • Cloudy
  • Incandescent
  • Fluorescent
  • Shade
  • Auto
  • Manual
  • Outdoors/Daylight
  • Cloudy
  • Incandescent
  • Fluorescent
  • Shade
Exposure Comp+/-3+/-3
Viewfinder
Viewfinder ResolutionNo DataNo Data
MagnificationNo DataNo Data
Shooting Options
Continuous shooting4fps5.5fps
Video
Movie modeYesYes
Video Resolution
  • 1920x1080 FullHD
  • 1920x1080 FullHD
Video FPS25p, 50p25p, 50p
Stereo SoundYesYes
Optical Zoom with VideoYesYes
Other Features
Image StabilisationNoNo
Interface
HDMIYesYes
USBUSB 2USB 2
Wi-FiNoNo Data
Storage
Card Type
  • SD
  • SDHC
  • Memory Stick (Sony)
  • SDXC
  • SD
  • SDHC
  • Memory Stick (Sony)
  • SDXC
File Type
  • RAW
  • JPG
  • RAW + JPG
  • RAW
  • JPG
  • RAW + JPG
Power Source
Battery TypeNP-FW50NP-FW50
Battery Life (CIPA rating)480shots410shots
Box Contents
Box ContentsCamera, Shoulder strap, Battery Charger, Infolithium Battery (NP-FW50), USB Cable, CD-ROM, Flash, Standard Zoom Lens (18-55mm OSS)Camera, Shoulder strap, Battery Charger, Infolithium Battery (NP-FW50), USB Cable, CD-ROM, Flash, Standard Zoom Lens (18-55mm OSS)
Dimensions
Weight210g255g
Width109.9mm117.3mm
Height62mm66.6mm
Depth34.6mm41.3mm
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Photographs taken using the Sony NEX-3N

Auroral StreamsCascadeMemoriesEdale InfraredWind ResistanceTwenty TreesSurprising ViewCygnus & LyraSouthern ViewHorsehead and Flame NebulaeRosette NebulaCrab NebulaOrion NebulaRosette and Cone NebulaFlaming Star Nebula and Neighbours

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Comments

seachicken Avatar
20 Feb 2013 4:47AM
I believe there's some errors here. AFAIK the NEX-F3 doesn't have a touch screen, and weighs 255g without battery/card.
joshwa Avatar
joshwa Plus
13 927 1 United Kingdom
20 Feb 2013 7:43AM
Hi, article and specifications updated, thanks. Sony UK lists the body only weight of the NEX-F3 as 225g. Cheers.
seachicken Avatar
20 Feb 2013 8:50AM
Hi, I think the Sony UK may be a typo. Here's a link to the brochure for the camera. http://www.sony.jp/products/catalog/NEX-F3_NEX-C3.pdf. It's in Japanese, but if you search for 255, you'll see the F3 is listed as 255g and the C3 is 225g. These weights make sense to me, as the NEX-F3 is a fair bit bigger than the 3N and C3. These weights are "body only".
hannu108 Avatar
hannu108 12 1 United Kingdom
20 Feb 2013 10:47AM
Minor typo in the article. The max. continuous shooting speed of Sony NEX-F3 is approximately 5.5 fps.
joshwa Avatar
joshwa Plus
13 927 1 United Kingdom
20 Feb 2013 10:42PM
Thanks seachicken and hannu108, this has been updated again, and hopefully should all now be correct Smile
tonyguitar Avatar
tonyguitar 11 77 37 Canada
11 May 2013 8:51PM
Just want to say thanks for your clarity, logic and general effort. Insights are so valuable. TG
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