Fujifilm X-A2 vs Sony NEX-3N — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Fujifilm · Mirrorless · 16 MP · APS-C · Standard HD video
Fujifilm X-A2
44
SCORE
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 16 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony NEX-3N
48
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Fujifilm X-A2 and the Sony NEX-3N are both compact mirrorless cameras built around 16 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensors, so both give you the same sensor format and resolution for everyday photography. The Sony arrived in 2013 and the Fujifilm in 2015. The NEX-3N is the smaller and lighter body at 269 g and 110 x 62 x 35 mm, against 350 g and 117 x 67 x 40 mm for the X-A2. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2015 | 2013 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 15, 2015 | February 20, 2013 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 117 x 67 x 40 mm | 110 x 62 x 35 mm |
| Camera weight | 350 g | 269 g |
| Optics | 53/100 | 55/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe X-A2 is the stronger choice for photographing moving subjects. It offers 49 autofocus points against 25 on the NEX-3N, and continuous shooting at 5.6 fps against 4 fps. Its expanded ISO range also runs wider, from 100 to 25600, while the Sony covers 200 to 16000. Both share a native ISO floor of 200, a 1/4000 second shutter limit and no viewfinder, so both are framed on the rear screen. The NEX-3N answers with in-body stabilisation, which helps steady handheld shots when the lens itself has no stabilisation; the X-A2 has none. Each body also commits you to a native lens system, Fujifilm X for the X-A2 and Sony E for the NEX-3N, with no cross-mount fit between them. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16 MP050 | 16 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4896 x 3264 | 4912 x 3264 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.6 x 23.5 | 15.6 x 23.5 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
5.6 fps045 | 4 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Fujifilm X | Sony E |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
EXR Processor II | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
20030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
64003003280000 | 160003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 160003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
490300 | 250300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
None | None |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 43/100 | 47/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe NEX-3N is the better pick for video. Its maximum recording resolution reaches Full HD, while the X-A2 tops out at Standard HD, and its frame-rate ceiling runs to 50 fps against 30 fps on the Fujifilm, giving smoother motion and room to slow clips down in editing. The file formats differ, AVCHD on the Sony and MOV on the Fujifilm, which affects which editing software the clips suit. Neither camera offers a built-in timelapse mode. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Standard HD |  Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 50 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV | AVCHD |
| Features | 28/100 | 36/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe X-A2 is stronger on everyday features. Wi-Fi lets you send photos straight to a phone without a card reader, it supports an external flash, and its 920,000-dot LCD carries twice the dots of the 460,000-dot panel on the Sony, which helps when checking focus after a shot. The NEX-3N offers live view on its LCD, which the Fujifilm does not. For framing, both cameras give you a 3-inch LCD that flips out for self-portraits and awkward angles. Both carry a built-in flash, and neither offers GPS, weather sealing or a touch screen. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | No |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9200001150001500000 | 4600001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
No |  Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | No |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 24/100 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe NEX-3N is rated for 480 shots per charge against 410 for the X-A2, so it holds the endurance advantage on those battery test ratings. They use different batteries, the Sony NP-FW50 and the Fujifilm NP-W126. Both write to a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card slot, with the Sony also accepting Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo cards. Neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-W126 | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
410 shots1505000 | 480 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Fujifilm X-A2 if stills are the priority. Its extra autofocus points, faster burst and wider expanded ISO range suit family events and travel, and Wi-Fi with external-flash support fits everyday sharing and flash portraits. Pick the Sony NEX-3N for handheld video or the lightest kit: Full HD recording, a 50 fps frame-rate ceiling, in-body stabilisation and a higher battery rating favour casual clips and walking-all-day shooting.