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Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-F3

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
56
Overall
46
Nikon 1 J1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-F3 front
Portability
86
Imaging
57
Features
60
Overall
58

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-F3 Key Specs

Nikon 1 J1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 234g - 106 x 61 x 30mm
  • Released January 2012
  • Replacement is Nikon 1 J2
Sony NEX-F3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 314g - 117 x 67 x 42mm
  • Revealed August 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-C3
  • Later Model is Sony NEX-3N
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Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-F3 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Nikon 1 J1 and Sony NEX-F3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. There exists a crucial gap between the resolutions of the 1 J1 (10MP) and NEX-F3 (16MP) and the 1 J1 (1") and NEX-F3 (APS-C) offer different sensor size.

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The 1 J1 was introduced 6 months prior to the NEX-F3 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the 1 J1 scores against the NEX-F3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J1 over the Sony NEX-F3

 1 J1 NEX-F3 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-F3 over the Nikon 1 J1

 NEX-F3 1 J1 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k460kSharper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Nikon 1 J1 and Sony NEX-F3

 1 J1 NEX-F3 
RevealedJanuary 2012August 2012Similar generation
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-F3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon 1 J1 has got external measurements of 106mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 234 grams (0.52 lbs) while the Sony NEX-F3 has sizing of 117mm x 67mm x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7") with a weight of 314 grams (0.69 lbs).

See the Nikon 1 J1 and Sony NEX-F3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the 1 J1 compared to the NEX-F3.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-F3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 1 J1 and NEX-F3 is 91 and 86 respectively.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-F3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-F3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to picture the contrast between sensor measurements purely by looking at technical specs. The graphic here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the 1 J1 and NEX-F3.

As you have seen, both of those cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The 1 J1 using its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony NEX-F3 will resolve more detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-F3 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-F3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-F3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon 1 J1
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-F3
48
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
74
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Street photography info
Sony NEX-F3 Street photography info
69
nice sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
lighter than others in class (234 grams)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
76
has a tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-F3 as a Sports photography camera
48
silent shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
nice sensor size (1")
comes with tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
low battery (230 shots)
53
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery power (470 shots)
max frames per second very slow (6.0 fps)
no image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Travel photography advice
Sony NEX-F3 Travel photography advice
60
lighter than others in class (234 grams)
has built in flash
low battery (230 CIPA)
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
69
better than average battery power (470 CIPA)
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon 1 J1
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-F3
56
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
nice sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
low battery (230 shots)
70
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (470 CIPA)
no image stabilization
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Vlogging features
Sony NEX-F3 Vlogging features
30
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (234 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
missing external microphone port
27
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
lack of external microphone port
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Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-F3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J1 and Sony NEX-F3
 Nikon 1 J1Sony Alpha NEX-F3
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model Nikon 1 J1 Sony Alpha NEX-F3
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2012-01-20 2012-08-16
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - 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 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3872 x 2592 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 16000
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 135 25
Lens
Lens mount Nikon 1 Sony E
Number of lenses 13 121
Crop factor 2.7 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT LCD TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.00 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/60 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 234 gr (0.52 pounds) 314 gr (0.69 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 61 x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") 117 x 67 x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 56 73
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score 11.0 12.3
DXO Low light score 372 1114
Other
Battery life 230 pictures 470 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL20 NPFW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $625 $470