Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-3
93 Imaging
44 Features
60 Overall
50


89 Imaging
54 Features
55 Overall
54
Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14.2MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 190g - 101 x 61 x 29mm
- Revealed May 2014
- Succeeded the Nikon 1 S1
(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
- Announced June 2010
- Later Model is Sony NEX-C3

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview
Here, we will be looking at the Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the 1 S2 (14.2MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is relatively similar but the 1 S2 (1") and NEX-3 (APS-C) posses different sensor dimensions.

The 1 S2 was introduced 4 years after the NEX-3 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before getting into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the 1 S2 matches up versus the NEX-3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-3 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon 1 S2 and Sony Alpha NEX-3. The whole galleries are provided at Nikon 1 S2 Gallery and Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 S2 over the Sony NEX-3
1 S2 | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | May 2014 | ![]() | June 2010 | Newer by 49 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Nikon 1 S2
NEX-3 | 1 S2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer screen (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon 1 S2 and Sony NEX-3
1 S2 | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon 1 S2 has physical dimensions of 101mm x 61mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3 has sizing of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
See the Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the 1 S2 and the NEX-3.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 1 S2 and NEX-3 is 93 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is very tough to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions simply by reading a spec sheet. The image underneath will offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the 1 S2 and NEX-3.
Clearly, the 2 cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The 1 S2 with its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF trickier and the Nikon 1 S2 will deliver more detail using its extra 0.2MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more modern 1 S2 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
Nikon 1 S2 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon 1 S2 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2014-05-21 | 2010-06-07 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Expeed 4A | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1" | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 13.1 x 8.8mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 115.3mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14.2 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4592 x 3072 | 4592 x 3056 |
Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 200 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 171 | 25 |
Cross focus points | 73 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Nikon 1 | Sony E |
Total lenses | 13 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.7 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 460 thousand dots | 920 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display tech | - | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | 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 rate | 60.0fps | 7.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | - | 12.00 m |
Flash options | Fill, fill 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 synchronize | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4 | MPEG-4 |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 190 grams (0.42 lbs) | 297 grams (0.65 lbs) |
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 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 | 270 photographs | 330 photographs |
Style of battery | 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 | ||
Type of storage | microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail pricing | $450 | $0 |