Sony NEX-F3 vs Sony NEX3 — Which Is Better?
Side by side51 specifications |
Sony · Mirrorless · 16.1 MP · APS-C · Standard HD video
Sony NEX-F3
46
WINNER
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 14.2 MP · APS-C · Standard HD video
Sony NEX3
41
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony NEX-F3 is the newer of these two mirrorless cameras, from 2012 against the Sony NEX-3's 2010. Both use the Sony E mount, so any E-mount lens you already own fits either camera without an adapter. That shared mount makes this an upgrade decision rather than a system switch. The NEX-3 is the slimmer and lighter body, measuring 117 x 62 x 33 mm and 297 g against 117 x 67 x 42 mm and 314 g for the F3. Those margins are modest, but they favour the older camera for carrying. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
May 17, 2012 | May 1, 2010 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 117 x 67 x 42 mm | 117 x 62 x 33 mm |
| Camera weight | 314 g | 297 g |
| Optics | 50/100 | 44/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe NEX-F3 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping or larger prints, with 16.1 megapixels against 14.2 on the NEX-3. Both use an APS-C CMOS sensor, and both offer 25 autofocus points and the Bionz processor. Each camera leads in one shooting situation. The NEX-3 is the better pick for action, shooting at 7 frames per second against 5.5 on the F3, which helps when a child or pet moves unpredictably. The F3 reaches a higher maximum ISO of 16000 against 12800, giving more headroom when light fades indoors. Both top out at 1/4000 second, offer no in-body stabilisation and use the rear screen alone for framing. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.1 MP050 | 14.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4912 x 3264 | 4592 x 3056 |
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 23.4 |
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. |
5.5 fps045 | 7 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. |
Sony E | Sony E |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Bionz | 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. |
160003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
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. |
160003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
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. |
250300 | 250300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 | 34/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoCasual family clips are equally in reach: both cameras record Standard HD video, and each tops out at 30 frames per second. Neither offers a built-in timelapse mode, so interval work needs external triggering on either body. The F3 records MP4 files while the NEX-3 uses MPEG-4, the one video difference between them, worth matching to your editing workflow. | ||
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 | Standard 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. |
1280 x 720 | 1280 x 720 |
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 | 30 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. |
MP4 | MPEG-4 |
| Features | 41/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesFor indoor snapshots without carrying a flash, the NEX-F3 is the better-equipped body, with a built-in flash the NEX-3 lacks. Fill light on faces at a party means fitting an external unit to the older camera, though both support accessory flash. Both cameras have a 3-inch, 920,000-dot display that tilts, which makes waist-level and overhead framing possible. Neither has touch control, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS or weather sealing, so image transfer means a card reader. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | No |
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 | Yes |
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 | TFT 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 | 9200001150001500000 |
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. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 27/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe NEX-F3 holds the stronger battery rating, at 470 shots against 330 for the NEX-3, a gap of 140 on the same NP-FW50 battery. Neither body supports USB charging. Storage is shared: each camera takes SD, SDHC and SDXC cards plus Memory Stick Pro Duo media in a single slot. Your existing cards carry straight over, with no second slot for backup on either body. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-FW50 | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
470 shots1505000 | 330 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
| Meta | ||
| Field provenance | — | [object Object] |
| Score validation | ||
Version ⓘThe iteration or release number of a particular lens model. |
— | camera-spec-score-v1-sheet-2026-08-20 |
| Status | — | complete |
| Warnings | — | optics.megapixels=14.2 has a blank points cell in the source sheet and scores zero |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For most buyers, the Sony NEX-F3 is the stronger pick. Its 16.1 megapixels give more room to crop a group shot tightly or print larger, and its built-in flash covers indoor party snapshots without an accessory. The 470-shot battery rating stands 140 shots above the NEX-3's 330.
The Sony NEX-3 still earns its place for action photography. Its 7 fps burst against 5.5 fps on the F3 is a genuine advantage for moving subjects such as sports, pets or running children. For general photography, the F3's flash, resolution and battery advantages make it the better choice.