Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony NEX-3
91 Imaging
40 Features
60 Overall
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89 Imaging
53 Features
55 Overall
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Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 238g - 106 x 61 x 30mm
- Released August 2012
- Replaced the Nikon 1 J1
- Replacement is Nikon 1 J3
(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
- Launched June 2010
- Replacement is Sony NEX-C3
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Lets examine more in depth at the Nikon 1 J2 and Sony NEX-3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the 1 J2 (10MP) and NEX-3 (14MP) and the 1 J2 (1") and NEX-3 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor sizing.
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsThe 1 J2 was revealed 2 years after the NEX-3 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before going in to a full comparison, below is a brief summation of how the 1 J2 matches up versus the NEX-3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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The following is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon 1 J2 and Sony Alpha NEX-3. The full galleries are viewable at Nikon 1 J2 Gallery and Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J2 over the Sony NEX-3
| 1 J2 | NEX-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | August 2012 | June 2010 | Newer by 27 months | |
| Screen resolution | 921k | 920k | Clearer screen (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Nikon 1 J2
| NEX-3 | 1 J2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Nikon 1 J2 and Sony NEX-3
| 1 J2 | NEX-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | Dial exact focus | |||
| Screen dimension | 3" | 3" | Identical screen measurement | |
| Selfie screen | Absent selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly screen | Neither comes with Touch friendly screen |
Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon 1 J2 comes with physical dimensions of 106mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs) and the Sony NEX-3 has dimensions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Look at the Nikon 1 J2 and Sony NEX-3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using during that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the 1 J2 against the NEX-3.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 1 J2 and NEX-3 is 91 and 89 respectively.
Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is very difficult to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by checking out specs. The pic below might give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the 1 J2 and NEX-3.
As you can plainly see, both cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The 1 J2 with its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF harder and the Sony NEX-3 will show more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures much more aggressively. The more modern 1 J2 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.
Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder
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Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
| Nikon 1 J2 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Nikon | Sony |
| Model | Nikon 1 J2 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
| Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Released | 2012-08-09 | 2010-06-07 |
| Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | Expeed 3 | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1" | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 13.2 x 8.8mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor surface area | 116.2mm² | 365.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 10MP | 14MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Maximum resolution | 3872 x 2592 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
| Min native ISO | 100 | 200 |
| RAW files | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Tracking autofocus | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detect focus | ||
| Contract detect focus | ||
| Phase detect focus | ||
| Number of focus points | 135 | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | Nikon 1 | Sony E |
| Number of lenses | 13 | 121 |
| Focal length multiplier | 2.7 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
| Display resolution | 921k dots | 920k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch friendly | ||
| Display tech | TFT LCD | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
| Highest quiet shutter speed | 1/16000s | - |
| Continuous shooting rate | 10.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | 5.00 m | 12.00 m |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Highest 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 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 1072 x 720 (60 fps) 640 x 240 (400), 320 x 120 (1200) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
| Microphone support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| 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 | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 238 grams (0.52 pounds) | 297 grams (0.65 pounds) |
| Dimensions | 106 x 61 x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around score | 54 | 68 |
| DXO Color Depth score | 21.3 | 22.1 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 10.8 | 12.0 |
| DXO Low light score | 363 | 830 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 230 pictures | 330 pictures |
| Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | EN-EL20 | NPFW50 |
| Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | Single | Single |
| Pricing at launch | $550 | $0 |