Clicky

Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony NEX-3N

Portability
92
Imaging
45
Features
63
Overall
52
Nikon 1 J3 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
Portability
89
Imaging
58
Features
52
Overall
55

Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony NEX-3N Key Specs

Nikon 1 J3
(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
  • Old Model is Nikon 1 J2
  • Renewed by Nikon 1 J4
Sony NEX-3N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 62 x 35mm
  • Released February 2013
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-F3
  • Replacement is Sony a5000
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony NEX-3N Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Nikon 1 J3 and Sony NEX-3N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the 1 J3 (14MP) and the NEX-3N (16MP) is relatively comparable but the 1 J3 (1") and NEX-3N (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor sizing.

Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels

The 1 J3 was launched 10 months later than the NEX-3N so they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the 1 J3 scores against the NEX-3N in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J3 over the Sony NEX-3N

 1 J3 NEX-3N 
ReleasedNovember 2013February 2013Fresher by 10 months
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Nikon 1 J3

 NEX-3N 1 J3 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Nikon 1 J3 and Sony NEX-3N

 1 J3 NEX-3N 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony NEX-3N Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon 1 J3 offers physical measurements of 101mm x 61mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 201 grams (0.44 lbs) while the Sony NEX-3N has proportions of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check out the Nikon 1 J3 and Sony NEX-3N in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the 1 J3 against the NEX-3N.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony NEX-3N size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 1 J3 and NEX-3N is 92 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony NEX-3N top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony NEX-3N Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's hard to visualise the gap in sensor sizing simply by seeing specifications. The visual here might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the 1 J3 and NEX-3N.

Plainly, both of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The 1 J3 because of its smaller sensor will make achieving bokeh tougher and the Sony NEX-3N will show greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The newer 1 J3 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony NEX-3N sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Portrait photography camera
59
manual focus
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is good (1")
delivers RAW files
cannot use external flash
66
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no external flash support
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Street photography factors
Sony NEX-3N Street photography factors
70
sensor size is good (1")
delivers RAW files
lighter than others in class (201 grams)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
77
has a tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Sports photography camera
58
quiet shooting (1/16,000s)
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
has tracking focus
has phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
bad battery life (220 shots)
54
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good battery power (480 CIPA)
max fps very slow (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
no phase detect autofocus
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than others in class (201g)
good MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
bad battery life (220 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
71
good battery power (480 per charge)
resolution is good (16MP)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Landscape photography features
Sony NEX-3N Landscape photography features
64
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
bad battery life (220 shots)
70
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3")
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
good battery power (480 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse recording
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon 1 J3
Vlogging with Sony NEX-3N
30
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (201g)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
missing mic support
28
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
does not have mic support
Photography Glossary

Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J3 and Sony NEX-3N
 Nikon 1 J3Sony Alpha NEX-3N
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model Nikon 1 J3 Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2013-11-30 2013-02-25
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 116.2mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3072 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 16000
Lowest native ISO 160 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 135 25
Cross focus points 41 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon 1 Sony E
Available lenses 13 121
Focal length multiplier 2.7 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 921k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate 15.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.00 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/60 secs 1/160 secs
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) 1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
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 201 gr (0.44 pounds) 269 gr (0.59 pounds)
Dimensions 101 x 61 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 52 74
DXO Color Depth score 20.4 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.0 12.5
DXO Low light score 420 1067
Other
Battery life 220 pictures 480 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL20 NPFW50
Self timer Yes -
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $170 $399