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- Superseded the Nikon 1 J2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

Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview
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.

The 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.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony NEX-3 Gallery
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


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

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 |