Clicky

Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
60
Overall
48
Nikon 1 J2 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
53
Features
55
Overall
53

Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs

Nikon 1 J2
(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
Sony NEX-3
(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
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview

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 firms

The 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.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

        

Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J2 over the Sony NEX-3

 1 J2 NEX-3 
LaunchedAugust 2012June 2010Newer by 27 months
Screen resolution921k920kClearer screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Nikon 1 J2

 NEX-3 1 J2 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Nikon 1 J2 and Sony NEX-3

 1 J2 NEX-3 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen dimension3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Portrait photography camera
48
you can focus manually
sensor size is decent (1")
delivers RAW files
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
71
you can focus manually
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Street photography camera
69
sensor size is decent (1")
delivers RAW files
lighter than average (238 grams)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
76
screen tilts up and down
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon 1 J2
Sports photography with Sony NEX-3
48
silent shutter (1/16,000s)
sensor size is decent (1")
has tracking focus
supports phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
51
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 Travel photography information
Sony NEX-3 Travel photography information
60
lighter than average (238 grams)
has built in flash
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
59
good megapixels (14MP)
missing Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Landscape photography camera
56
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
sensor size is decent (1")
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
67
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
missing Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon 1 J2
Vlogging with Sony NEX-3
30
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (238g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
does not have mic port
27
has face detection autofocus
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone support
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J2 and Sony NEX-3
 Nikon 1 J2Sony 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