Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony NEX-3
92 Imaging
44 Features
63 Overall
51
89 Imaging
53 Features
55 Overall
53
Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 160 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 201g - 101 x 61 x 29mm
- Released November 2013
- Superseded the Nikon 1 J2
- New Model is Nikon 1 J4
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
- Revealed June 2010
- Updated by Sony NEX-C3
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Lets take a more detailed look at the Nikon 1 J3 and Sony NEX-3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the 1 J3 (14MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is very similar but the 1 J3 (1") and NEX-3 (APS-C) have different sensor dimensions.
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideThe 1 J3 was brought out 3 years after the NEX-3 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short introduction of how the 1 J3 grades vs the NEX-3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon 1 J3 & Sony Alpha NEX-3. The entire galleries are provided at Nikon 1 J3 Gallery & Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J3 over the Sony NEX-3
| 1 J3 | NEX-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | November 2013 | June 2010 | Newer by 43 months | |
| Display resolution | 921k | 920k | Clearer display (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Nikon 1 J3
| NEX-3 | 1 J3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Nikon 1 J3 and Sony NEX-3
| 1 J3 | NEX-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Very exact focusing | |||
| Display dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal display sizing | |
| Selfie screen | Neither provides selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly display | No Touch friendly display |
Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon 1 J3 provides outside dimensions of 101mm x 61mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 201 grams (0.44 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3 has sizing of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Analyze the Nikon 1 J3 and Sony NEX-3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the 1 J3 against the NEX-3.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the 1 J3 and NEX-3 is 92 and 89 respectively.
Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is very difficult to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions purely by going over specs. The image below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the 1 J3 and NEX-3.
All in all, the 2 cameras have the same resolution but different sensor dimensions. The 1 J3 features the tinier sensor which will make getting bokeh more difficult. The fresher 1 J3 should have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.
Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder
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Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
| Nikon 1 J3 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Nikon | Sony |
| Model type | Nikon 1 J3 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
| Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Released | 2013-11-30 | 2010-06-07 |
| Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | - | 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 | 14MP | 14MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Full resolution | 4608 x 3072 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
| Lowest native ISO | 160 | 200 |
| RAW pictures | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect focus | ||
| Contract detect focus | ||
| Phase detect focus | ||
| Total focus points | 135 | 25 |
| Cross type focus points | 41 | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | Nikon 1 | Sony E |
| Available lenses | 13 | 121 |
| Crop factor | 2.7 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of display | 921k dots | 920k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch display | ||
| Display tech | TFT LCD | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
| Highest quiet shutter speed | 1/16000s | - |
| Continuous shooting rate | 15.0fps | 7.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash distance | 5.00 m | 12.00 m |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
| External flash | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Highest flash synchronize | 1/60s | 1/160s |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| 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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
| Microphone port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Optional | Eye-Fi Connected |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 201g (0.44 pounds) | 297g (0.65 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 101 x 61 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around rating | 52 | 68 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 20.4 | 22.1 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.0 | 12.0 |
| DXO Low light rating | 420 | 830 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 220 photographs | 330 photographs |
| Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | EN-EL20 | NPFW50 |
| Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Retail price | $170 | $0 |