Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony NEX-3
85 Imaging
44 Features
66 Overall
52
![Nikon 1 V2 front Nikon 1 V2 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/w300/fronton/Nikon-1-V2-ek-fs.jpg)
![Sony Alpha NEX-3 front Sony Alpha NEX-3 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Sony-Alpha-NEX-3/Sony-NEX-3-front.jpg)
89 Imaging
54 Features
55 Overall
54
Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 160 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 278g - 109 x 82 x 46mm
- Released October 2012
- Superseded the Nikon 1 V1
- Replacement is Nikon 1 V3
(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
- Introduced June 2010
- Refreshed by Sony NEX-C3
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview
The following is a detailed comparison of the Nikon 1 V2 and Sony NEX-3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the 1 V2 (14MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is pretty comparable but the 1 V2 (1") and NEX-3 (APS-C) provide different sensor size.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
The 1 V2 was introduced 2 years after the NEX-3 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Nikon 1 V2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summary of how the 1 V2 scores vs the NEX-3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony NEX-3 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon 1 V2 and Sony Alpha NEX-3. The whole galleries are viewable at Nikon 1 V2 Gallery and Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 V2 over the Sony NEX-3
1 V2 | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | October 2012 | ![]() | June 2010 | Newer by 29 months |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 920k | Sharper screen (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Nikon 1 V2
NEX-3 | 1 V2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Nikon 1 V2 and Sony NEX-3
1 V2 | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | No Touch friendly screen |
Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
When you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon 1 V2 offers external measurements of 109mm x 82mm x 46mm (4.3" x 3.2" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 278 grams (0.61 lbs) and the Sony NEX-3 has measurements of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Contrast the Nikon 1 V2 and Sony NEX-3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the 1 V2 vs the NEX-3.
![Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-1-V2-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-3-size-comparison.jpg)
Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 1 V2 and NEX-3 is 85 and 89 respectively.
![Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-1-V2-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-3-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, its hard to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions just by going through specs. The image underneath may provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 V2 and NEX-3.
As you can plainly see, both cameras feature the identical megapixels albeit different sensor dimensions. The 1 V2 has got the smaller sensor which will make achieving shallow depth of field trickier. The more modern 1 V2 provides an advantage in sensor technology.
![Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Nikon-1-V2-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-3-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder
![Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-1-V2-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-3-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
Nikon 1 V2 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon 1 V2 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2012-10-24 | 2010-06-07 |
Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Expeed 3A | 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 | 14 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3072 | 4592 x 3056 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 160 | 200 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 73 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Nikon 1 | Sony E |
Number of lenses | 13 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.7 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 921 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display tech | TFT LCD | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder resolution | 1,440 thousand dot | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Fastest quiet shutter speed | 1/16000 secs | - |
Continuous shutter speed | 15.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | - | 12.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/250 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Optional | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 278g (0.61 lbs) | 297g (0.65 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 109 x 82 x 46mm (4.3" x 3.2" x 1.8") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 50 | 68 |
DXO Color Depth score | 20.2 | 22.1 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.8 | 12.0 |
DXO Low light score | 403 | 830 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 310 photos | 330 photos |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL21 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail cost | $599 | $0 |