Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony NEX-3
92 Imaging
48 Features
62 Overall
53
89 Imaging
53 Features
55 Overall
53
Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 160 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 232g - 100 x 60 x 29mm
- Launched April 2014
- Superseded the Nikon 1 J3
- Refreshed by Nikon 1 J5
(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
- Released June 2010
- Successor is Sony NEX-C3
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview
Let's look more in depth at the Nikon 1 J4 and Sony NEX-3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the 1 J4 (18MP) and NEX-3 (14MP) and the 1 J4 (1") and NEX-3 (APS-C) provide different sensor sizes.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe 1 J4 was launched 3 years after the NEX-3 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before diving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick summation of how the 1 J4 matches up vs the NEX-3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony NEX-3 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon 1 J4 & Sony Alpha NEX-3. The complete galleries are available at Nikon 1 J4 Gallery & Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J4 over the Sony NEX-3
| 1 J4 | NEX-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | April 2014 | June 2010 | Newer by 47 months | |
| Screen resolution | 1037k | 920k | Crisper screen (+117k dot) | |
| Touch friendly screen | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Nikon 1 J4
| NEX-3 | 1 J4 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | Very precise focusing | |||
| Screen type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Nikon 1 J4 and Sony NEX-3
| 1 J4 | NEX-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 3" | 3" | Same screen dimensions | |
| Selfie screen | Lack of selfie screen |
Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera often, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Nikon 1 J4 has exterior dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 29mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 232 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Sony NEX-3 has dimensions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Look at the Nikon 1 J4 and Sony NEX-3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select during that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the 1 J4 and the NEX-3.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the 1 J4 and NEX-3 is 92 and 89 respectively.
Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by going through specs. The image below should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the 1 J4 and NEX-3.
As you can plainly see, both of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The 1 J4 due to its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Nikon 1 J4 will provide greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The fresher 1 J4 provides an advantage in sensor innovation.
Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsStreet Comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banSports Comparison
Photography GlossaryTravel Comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesLandscape Comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsVlogging Comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
| Nikon 1 J4 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Nikon | Sony |
| Model | Nikon 1 J4 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
| Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Launched | 2014-04-10 | 2010-06-07 |
| Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | Expeed 4 | 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 | 18MP | 14MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 5232 x 3488 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
| Min native ISO | 160 | 200 |
| RAW files | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch 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 | ||
| Number of focus points | 171 | 25 |
| Cross focus points | 105 | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | Nikon 1 | Sony E |
| Number of lenses | 13 | 121 |
| Crop factor | 2.7 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of display | 1,037 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Display tech | - | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
| Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Max quiet shutter speed | 1/16000 secs | - |
| Continuous shutter speed | 60.0fps | 7.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | 5.00 m (ISO 100) | 12.00 m |
| Flash options | Auto, auto + red-eye reduction, fill-flash, fill-flash w/slow sync, rear curtain sync, rear curtain w/slow sync, redeye reduction, redeye reduction w/slow sync, off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
| External flash | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Max flash sync | - | 1/160 secs |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1472 x 984 (60p, 30p) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
| Microphone jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Built-In | Eye-Fi Connected |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 232 gr (0.51 lb) | 297 gr (0.65 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 100 x 60 x 29mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | not tested | 68 |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.1 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.0 |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | 830 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 300 photos | 330 photos |
| Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | EN-EL22 | NPFW50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage media | microSD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Storage slots | Single | Single |
| Cost at release | $600 | $0 |