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Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony NEX-3N

Portability
92
Imaging
49
Features
62
Overall
54
Nikon 1 J4 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
Portability
89
Imaging
58
Features
52
Overall
55

Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony NEX-3N Key Specs

Nikon 1 J4
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 232g - 100 x 60 x 29mm
  • Announced April 2014
  • Previous Model is Nikon 1 J3
  • Successor is Nikon 1 J5
Sony NEX-3N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 62 x 35mm
  • Released February 2013
  • Previous Model is Sony NEX-F3
  • New Model is Sony a5000
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Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony NEX-3N Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Nikon 1 J4 versus Sony NEX-3N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the 1 J4 (18MP) and the NEX-3N (16MP) is very close but the 1 J4 (1") and NEX-3N (APS-C) possess totally different sensor sizes.

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The 1 J4 was brought out 14 months after the NEX-3N making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a short highlight of how the 1 J4 grades against the NEX-3N in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J4 over the Sony NEX-3N

 1 J4 NEX-3N 
ReleasedApril 2014February 2013Newer by 14 months
Display resolution1037k460kCrisper display (+577k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Nikon 1 J4

 NEX-3N 1 J4 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Nikon 1 J4 and Sony NEX-3N

 1 J4 NEX-3N 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony NEX-3N Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon 1 J4 comes with physical dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 29mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 232 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Sony NEX-3N has proportions of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Look at the Nikon 1 J4 versus Sony NEX-3N in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the 1 J4 versus the NEX-3N.

Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony NEX-3N size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 1 J4 and NEX-3N is 92 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony NEX-3N top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony NEX-3N Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to see the difference in sensor dimensions simply by viewing specifications. The pic here may offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the 1 J4 and NEX-3N.

Plainly, the 2 cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The 1 J4 because of its smaller sensor will make getting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Nikon 1 J4 will result in more detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos far more aggressively. The more recent 1 J4 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony NEX-3N sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 J4 Portrait photography factors
Sony NEX-3N Portrait photography factors
56
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
decent sensor size (1")
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW files
no manual focus
external flash not possible
66
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
can't use external flash
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J4 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Street photography camera
74
decent sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
includes touch focus
lighter than competition in class (232 grams)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
77
has a tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J4 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Sports photography camera
62
silent mode (1/16,000 seconds)
high fps (60.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
supports tracking autofocus
has phase detect AF
no image stabilization
low battery power (300 shots)
54
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good battery life (480 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J4 Travel photography details
Sony NEX-3N Travel photography details
69
lighter than competition in class (232 grams)
includes touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse function
low battery power (300 CIPA)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
71
good battery life (480 shots)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 J4 Landscape photography details
Sony NEX-3N Landscape photography details
56
swap lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
decent sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
no manual focus
no image stabilization
low battery power (300 shots)
missing Timelapse function
70
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (480 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J4 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Vlogging camera
34
touch screen
supports face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (232g)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
missing external microphone socket
28
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing mic jack
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Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J4 and Sony NEX-3N
 Nikon 1 J4Sony Alpha NEX-3N
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model Nikon 1 J4 Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2014-04-10 2013-02-25
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 4 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 18MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5232 x 3488 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 12800 16000
Min native ISO 160 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 171 25
Cross focus points 105 -
Lens
Lens mount Nikon 1 Sony E
Available lenses 13 121
Crop factor 2.7 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,037k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter speed 60.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.00 m (ISO 100) -
Flash modes 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 -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
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) 1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
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 grams (0.51 pounds) 269 grams (0.59 pounds)
Dimensions 100 x 60 x 29mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 74
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.5
DXO Low light score not tested 1067
Other
Battery life 300 shots 480 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL22 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) -
Time lapse shooting
Storage media microSD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $600 $399