Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-3
86 Imaging
44 Features
62 Overall
51
89 Imaging
53 Features
55 Overall
53
Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 160 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 356g - 114 x 72 x 37mm
- Revealed September 2013
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
- Revealed June 2010
- Renewed by Sony NEX-C3
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Below is a in-depth review of the Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the 1 AW1 (14MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is relatively well matched but the 1 AW1 (1") and NEX-3 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor dimensions.
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banThe 1 AW1 was announced 3 years later than the NEX-3 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before we go straight into a detailed comparison, below is a quick overview of how the 1 AW1 scores vs the NEX-3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon 1 AW1 and Sony Alpha NEX-3. The whole galleries are available at Nikon 1 AW1 Gallery and Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 AW1 over the Sony NEX-3
| 1 AW1 | NEX-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | September 2013 |  | June 2010 | More recent by 40 months |
| Screen resolution | 921k |  | 920k | Sharper screen (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Nikon 1 AW1
| NEX-3 | 1 AW1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Nikon 1 AW1 and Sony NEX-3
| 1 AW1 | NEX-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus |  | Very exact focus | ||
| Screen dimension | 3" |  | 3" | Identical screen sizing |
| Selfie screen |  | Absent selfie screen | ||
| Touch screen |  | Absent Touch screen |
Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and volume. The Nikon 1 AW1 comes with exterior measurements of 114mm x 72mm x 37mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.5") and a weight of 356 grams (0.78 lbs) while the Sony NEX-3 has sizing of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Check the Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the 1 AW1 compared to the NEX-3.
Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 1 AW1 and NEX-3 is 86 and 89 respectively.
Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it can be difficult to visualise the difference between sensor measurements simply by reading through technical specs. The graphic here should give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 AW1 and NEX-3.
As you have seen, both of those cameras posses the exact same megapixels albeit not the same sensor measurements. The 1 AW1 uses the tinier sensor which should make obtaining shallow depth of field more difficult. The more modern 1 AW1 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.
Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder
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Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
| Nikon 1 AW1 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Nikon | Sony |
| Model | Nikon 1 AW1 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
| Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Revealed | 2013-09-19 | 2010-06-07 |
| Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | EXPEED 3A | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1" | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 13.2 x 8.8mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor area | 116.2mm² | 365.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4608 x 3072 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
| Min native ISO | 160 | 200 |
| RAW files | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| AF touch | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detect focusing | ||
| Contract detect focusing | ||
| Phase detect focusing | ||
| Number of focus points | 135 | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | Nikon 1 | Sony E |
| Available lenses | 13 | 121 |
| Crop factor | 2.7 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display size | 3" | 3" |
| Display resolution | 921k dots | 920k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch functionality | ||
| Display tech | TFT LCD | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
| Continuous shutter rate | 60.0 frames per sec | 7.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | 5.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m |
| Flash modes | Fill flash, fill w/slow sync, rear curtain sync, rear w/slow sync, redeye reduction, redeye w/slow sync, off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash synchronize | 1/60s | 1/160s |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p), 640 x 240 (400 fps), 320 x 120 (1200 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
| Microphone support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Optional | Eye-Fi Connected |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | BuiltIn | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 356g (0.78 pounds) | 297g (0.65 pounds) |
| Dimensions | 114 x 72 x 37mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.5") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | 51 | 68 |
| DXO Color Depth score | 20.2 | 22.1 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 10.9 | 12.0 |
| DXO Low light score | 428 | 830 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 220 images | 330 images |
| Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | EN-EL20 | NPFW50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2, 5, 10 secs) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Price at release | $0 | $0 |