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Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-F3

Portability
93
Imaging
45
Features
60
Overall
51
Nikon 1 S2 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-F3 front
Portability
86
Imaging
57
Features
60
Overall
58

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-F3 Key Specs

Nikon 1 S2
(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
  • Announced May 2014
  • Replaced the Nikon 1 S1
Sony NEX-F3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 314g - 117 x 67 x 42mm
  • Released August 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-C3
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-3N
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Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-F3 Overview

Here, we are looking at the Nikon 1 S2 and Sony NEX-F3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the 1 S2 (14.2MP) and the NEX-F3 (16MP) is very similar but the 1 S2 (1") and NEX-F3 (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizes.

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The 1 S2 was introduced 22 months later than the NEX-F3 making them a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the 1 S2 grades vs the NEX-F3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 S2 over the Sony NEX-F3

 1 S2 NEX-F3 
ReleasedMay 2014August 2012Fresher by 22 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-F3 over the Nikon 1 S2

 NEX-F3 1 S2 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k460kCrisper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Nikon 1 S2 and Sony NEX-F3

 1 S2 NEX-F3 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-F3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon 1 S2 features outside measurements of 101mm x 61mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs) while the Sony NEX-F3 has dimensions of 117mm x 67mm x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7") with a weight of 314 grams (0.69 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon 1 S2 and Sony NEX-F3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the 1 S2 versus the NEX-F3.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-F3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 1 S2 and NEX-F3 is 93 and 86 respectively.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-F3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-F3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizing only by reviewing specs. The visual below may give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the 1 S2 and NEX-F3.

All in all, each of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The 1 S2 having a tinier sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field more difficult and the Sony NEX-F3 will deliver more detail using its extra 1.8MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images way more aggressively. The more modern 1 S2 will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-F3 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-F3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-F3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Portrait photography details
Sony NEX-F3 Portrait photography details
60
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14.2 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
comes with face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
can't use external flash
74
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-F3 as a Street photography camera
71
sensor size is good (1")
delivers RAW formats
lighter than average in class (190 grams)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
76
screen tilts up and down
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Sports photography information
Sony NEX-F3 Sports photography information
60
silent shutter (1/16,000s)
high max frames per second (60.0 frames/s)
decent sensor resolution (14.2MP)
sensor size is good (1")
comes with tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
low battery life (270 CIPA)
53
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great battery (470 CIPA)
max fps low (6.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Travel photography highlights
Sony NEX-F3 Travel photography highlights
66
lighter than average in class (190g)
decent sensor resolution (14.2MP)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
low battery life (270 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
69
great battery (470 shots)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon 1 S2
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-F3
60
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (14.2MP)
sensor size is good (1")
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
low battery life (270 shots)
does not have Time Lapse recording
70
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
great battery (470 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon 1 S2
Vlogging with Sony NEX-F3
33
comes with face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (190 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
does not have external mic jack
27
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
does not have mic socket
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Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-F3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 S2 and Sony NEX-F3
 Nikon 1 S2Sony Alpha NEX-F3
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model Nikon 1 S2 Sony Alpha NEX-F3
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2014-05-21 2012-08-16
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 4A Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 13.1 x 8.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 115.3mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14.2 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4592 x 3072 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 12800 16000
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 171 25
Cross focus points 73 -
Lens
Lens mount Nikon 1 Sony E
Available lenses 13 121
Focal length multiplier 2.7 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shooting rate 60.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash modes 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
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p) 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 190 grams (0.42 lbs) 314 grams (0.69 lbs)
Physical dimensions 101 x 61 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") 117 x 67 x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 73
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.3
DXO Low light score not tested 1114
Other
Battery life 270 pictures 470 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL22 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $450 $470