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Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-3N

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
56
Overall
46
Nikon 1 J1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
52
Overall
55

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-3N Key Specs

Nikon 1 J1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 234g - 106 x 61 x 30mm
  • Revealed January 2012
  • Replacement is Nikon 1 J2
Sony NEX-3N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 62 x 35mm
  • Introduced February 2013
  • Previous Model is Sony NEX-F3
  • Newer Model is Sony a5000
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Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-3N Overview

The following is a in depth overview of the Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-3N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the resolutions of the 1 J1 (10MP) and NEX-3N (16MP) and the 1 J1 (1") and NEX-3N (APS-C) come with totally different sensor measurements.

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The 1 J1 was brought out 13 months prior to the NEX-3N making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple view of how the 1 J1 scores against the NEX-3N with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J1 over the Sony NEX-3N

 1 J1 NEX-3N 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Nikon 1 J1

 NEX-3N 1 J1 
IntroducedFebruary 2013January 2012Newer by 13 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Nikon 1 J1 and Sony NEX-3N

 1 J1 NEX-3N 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Display resolution460k460kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-3N Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon 1 J1 comes with outside measurements of 106mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 234 grams (0.52 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3N has proportions of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check the Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-3N in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the 1 J1 and the NEX-3N.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-3N size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 1 J1 and NEX-3N is 91 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-3N top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-3N Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to envision the difference between sensor dimensions only by reading through technical specs. The image below should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 J1 and NEX-3N.

As you can tell, each of these cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The 1 J1 featuring a tinier sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony NEX-3N will give you greater detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged 1 J1 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-3N sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon 1 J1
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-3N
48
focusing manually
nice sensor size (1")
delivers RAW files
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
66
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no external flash support
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Street photography camera
69
nice sensor size (1")
delivers RAW files
lighter than average in class (234 grams)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
77
screen tilts
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Sports photography camera
48
quiet shooting (1/16,000s)
nice sensor size (1")
features tracking focus
supports phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
bad battery life (230 shots)
53
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery pack (480 shots)
max frames per second very slow (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Travel photography details
Sony NEX-3N Travel photography details
60
lighter than average in class (234g)
flash built-in
bad battery life (230 shots)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
71
better than average battery pack (480 shots)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Landscape photography features
Sony NEX-3N Landscape photography features
56
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen size is good (3")
nice sensor size (1")
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
bad battery life (230 per charge)
70
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (480 per charge)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Vlogging details
Sony NEX-3N Vlogging details
30
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (234 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
no microphone port
28
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
doesn't have external mic socket
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Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J1 and Sony NEX-3N
 Nikon 1 J1Sony Alpha NEX-3N
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model Nikon 1 J1 Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-01-20 2013-02-25
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3872 x 2592 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 16000
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 135 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon 1 Sony E
Amount of lenses 13 121
Crop factor 2.7 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.00 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/60s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 1072 x 720 (60 fps) 640 x 240 (400), 320 x 120 (1200) 1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 234 gr (0.52 lb) 269 gr (0.59 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 61 x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 74
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.0 12.5
DXO Low light score 372 1067
Other
Battery life 230 images 480 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL20 NPFW50
Self timer Yes -
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Price at release $625 $399