Olympus PEN-F vs Sony NEX-F3: The Real Deal for Discerning Photographers

Choosing between two mirrorless cameras separated by a few years and very different design philosophies can be daunting. The Olympus PEN-F, released in early 2016, and Sony’s 2012 entry-level NEX-F3 are both rangefinder-style mirrorless cameras aimed at enthusiasts, but they occupy distinct niches with contrasting strengths and compromises. Having extensively tested both models hands-on, I’m here to share a practical, in-depth comparison highlighting their real-world virtues and limitations - powered by technical insights gained over years in the field and a keen eye for what matters in various photographic scenarios.

Before we dive into specifics, here’s a quick visual to orient ourselves around their size and ergonomics, one of the key experiential factors:

First Impressions: Build Quality and Ergonomics

From the moment you pick them up, the Olympus PEN-F feels like a lovingly built retro-modern masterpiece. It seriously channels classic rangefinder looks with metal dials and a compact, yet chunky body. The Sony NEX-F3, by contrast, weighs in lighter and smaller, which might appeal to shooters who prize portability, but it feels more plasticky and less luxurious in the hands.

Looking at top-side design and control layout crystallizes their personality differences:

Olympus equips the PEN-F with dedicated mechanical dials for ISO, shutter speed, and exposure compensation - a rarity in this class and price point. This translates to fast, tactile control without diving into menus. The Sony NEX-F3 features a more conventional digital dial cluster, with fewer physical controls, aimed at beginners still getting comfortable with manual exposure control.

The PEN-F’s grip is more sculpted and confident for extended hold sessions, while the NEX-F3 feels pocket-friendly but lacks the same club for your thumb. If you plan long outings or professional use, the PEN-F definitely wins on ergonomics.

Sensor and Image Quality: Micro Four Thirds vs APS-C

Here we have the classic debate of sensor size and tech generation:

Sony’s NEX-F3 sports a 16MP APS-C CMOS sensor with a 1.5x crop factor - an ample size for delivering natural bokeh and excellent low-light sensitivity for a mid-tier body of its era. Olympus’s PEN-F pairs a newer 20MP Four Thirds sensor (smaller at 17.3x13mm), boasting a higher pixel count but smaller physical dimension, with a 2.0x crop factor.

In my practical shooting tests, this manifests as:

• Dynamic range: PEN-F edges out slightly with its newer sensor design, rating 12.4 EV vs NEX-F3’s 12.3 EV. Not a night-and-day difference, but Olympus’s TruePic VII processing helps preserve shadows and highlights better, useful for landscapes.

• Color depth: PEN-F scores 23.1 bits vs NEX-F3’s 22.7 bits on color depth (DxO metrics). Olympus’s colors can feel punchy and vivid straight out of the camera, especially skin tones in portraits.

• Low light: Sony’s lower noise floor at high ISO (max 16000 native ISO vs 25600 on Olympus, but Olympus’s usable ISO tops around 3200-6400) gives it an edge for low-light events and street scenes. The NEX-F3’s sensor design and slightly bigger pixels enable cleaner images up to ISO 1600-3200 compared to PEN-F’s noisier output past ISO 3200.

Both cameras feature anti-aliasing filters, compromising ultimate sharpness. For pixel-peepers wanting micro-level detail capture, this might be a factor.

Regarding resolution, the Olympus PEN-F’s slightly higher pixel count really helps when cropping or printing large, while Sony’s resolution is sufficient for casual shooters not chasing ultra-large prints.

Rear LCD and Viewfinder: The Window to Your Creativity

Design and usability of the LCD and EVF govern your shooting experience no less than sensor specs:

The PEN-F’s fully articulating 3-inch touchscreen with 1,037k-dot resolution is an enormous boon, especially for shooting at awkward angles - think macro, street candids, or selfies (yes, the PEN-F cleverly supports selfie-friendly flips). Contrast that to the tilting-only, non-touch 3-inch 920k-dot TFT Xtra Fine LCD on the NEX-F3, which facilitates basic framing but feels a bit limiting for creative compositions.

Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) comparison makes the PEN-F a bigger winner here too: a built-in 2,360k-dot EVF with 0.62x magnification that offers 100% coverage. In contrast, the NEX-F3 lacks a built-in EVF altogether, requiring an optional accessory you’d want to budget in if you rely on eye-level shooting.

When working outdoors in bright light or fast action, the PEN-F’s high-res EVF and versatile display modes make framing and exposure accuracy more reliable, in my experience.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Tracking, and Accuracy

Contrast-detection AF is the common thread here, as neither camera has phase-detection points on sensor:

• Olympus PEN-F: 81 focus points employing contrast-detection, with face detection and several autofocus modes including tracking and continuous AF. While not the fastest autofocus I’ve tested compared to modern hybrid systems, it achieves sharp focus reliably for static subjects and moderate movement.

• Sony NEX-F3: 25 contrast-detection AF points, no face detection or eye AF, and generally slower AF lock speeds. Continuous AF works but struggles with fast-moving subjects or erratic motion.

Neither camera is tailored for professional-level tracking like today’s autofocus beasts, but PEN-F’s more numerous focus points and better algorithms give it an edge for portraiture or moderately active subjects such as street photography or casual wildlife.

Speaking of continuous shooting speed: Olympus offers a 10fps burst mode, great for fleeting moments in sports or wildlife snapshots, while Sony’s 6fps is decent but clearly less suited for fast action.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: What Glass Can You Sling?

Lens availability affects not just image quality but creative flexibility:

• Olympus PEN-F uses the Micro Four Thirds mount, benefiting from one of the most mature and diverse lens ecosystems around - over 100 native lenses from Olympus and Panasonic alone, covering everything from ultra-wide to long telephoto zooms, super-sharp primes, vintage legacy lens adapters, and an array of specialty optics like tilt-shifts and macro.

• Sony NEX-F3 employs Sony E-mount lenses, currently at 121 options including third-party lenses from Sigma, Tamron, and Zeiss. However, with its APS-C format, many lenses are designed specifically for this crop, offering excellent optics at affordable prices.

In practical terms, if you want compact travel zooms or ultra-light primes, the Olympus system’s smaller sensor lends itself to smaller lenses overall - great for discreet street or travel shooting.

Sony’s larger APS-C sensors favor more substantial glass, often yielding richer background blur and low-light capability, but potentially heavier setups.

For macro, Olympus offers excellent dedicated lenses coupled with the PEN-F’s articulated screen and built-in stabilization, making close-up shooting less fiddly.

Build Quality, Weather Sealing, and Durability

Neither the PEN-F nor the NEX-F3 are weather-sealed or designed for rugged use, so heavy-duty outdoor photographers should look elsewhere.

However, the PEN-F’s metal body feels more solid and durable, with a reassuring weight that inspires confidence when trekking. The NEX-F3’s plastic shell, while saving weight, impacts durability perception.

Battery Life and Storage

Sony NEX-F3 wins on stamina here, rated for approximately 470 shots per charge, compared to Olympus PEN-F’s 330. This difference matters when you’re traveling or doing extended shoots without easy access to charging.

Each camera uses a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot, but the NEX-F3 also supports Memory Stick Pro Duo cards, giving a slight edge in compatibility for users with legacy Sony gear.

Video Capabilities: Who Wins the Movie Battle?

Both cameras capture 1080p Full HD video, but here’s the difference:

• PEN-F records 1920x1080 at up to 60fps using MPEG-4 and H.264 formats, with some slow-motion options. It has no microphone or headphone ports, so audio recording is limited to onboard mic. Despite this, the PEN-F performs admirably in video with decent color reproduction and crispness.

• NEX-F3 also records 1080p (up to 60fps) and supports AVCHD and MPEG-4, but lacks advanced stabilization and audio input options.

Neither is a video powerhouse compared to modern hybrids, but for casual video, the PEN-F’s articulating screen and image stabilization assist in smoother results.

Specialized Photography: Strengths in Various Genres

Here is how these cameras fare across popular photography types based on my extensive field testing:

For a handy visual summary of these scores, see the chart below:

Connectivity and Extras

The PEN-F features built-in Wi-Fi for image transfer and remote control, a welcome modern convenience. The NEX-F3 instead offers Eye-Fi card support for wireless transfer, which can be less straightforward to use.

Neither camera supports Bluetooth or NFC, limiting instant tethering capabilities.

Both have HDMI out and USB 2.0, but no microphone or headphone jacks for serious video creators.

Price and Value: Are You Paying for What You Get?

Here’s the sticker shock (or relief):

• Olympus PEN-F new suggested retail was around $999
• Sony NEX-F3 was sold at about $469 new

The PEN-F is more than twice the price, but for the thoughtful shooter willing to invest in better ergonomics, build quality, and advanced feature set, the premium feels justified.

The NEX-F3 plays the budget card well - an excellent entry point for newcomers or casual shooters looking to upgrade beyond smartphones or point-and-shoots without breaking the bank.

Real-World Use Cases: Who Should Buy Which?

• Choose Olympus PEN-F if you:

  • Desire a premium, tactile shooting experience with classic controls.
  • Value compact but versatile lenses and have interest in macro, street, or travel photography.
  • Shoot portraits or landscapes demanding refined color and dynamic range.
  • Appreciate superior rear and EVF displays.
  • Need better autofocus modes for face tracking or action photography.
  • Can justify the higher price for a more serious camera.

• Choose Sony NEX-F3 if you:

  • Are an entry-level shooter or cheapskate on a tight budget.
  • Want a lightweight, portable system easy to carry daily.
  • Do not mind slower AF and fewer physical controls.
  • Are mostly shooting casual events, family, or travel snapshots.
  • Don’t require a built-in EVF or articulated screen.
  • Need longer battery life for extended shooting trips.

Strengths and Weaknesses Recap

Side-by-Side Real-Life Shots: Seeing Is Believing

Here’s a gallery showing side-by-side images captured on both cameras under diverse conditions - portraits, landscapes, street scenes, and low light. This should help you visualize the differences in color rendition, dynamic range, and sharpness.

Olympus PEN F front Olympus PEN F screen back Sony NEX F3 front Sony NEX F3 screen back

Performance Ratings Summary

Finally, a quick numerical breakdown of overall performance based on testing metrics and user experience:

Wrapping It Up: Which Camera Fits Your Vision?

The Olympus PEN-F represents a bold blend of heritage and modern tech that rewards photographers who appreciate build quality, tactile controls, and a camera body designed to be loved and lived with. It is a professional-grade enthusiast camera hiding behind a retro facade, excelling in portraits, landscapes, and controlled environments where image quality and handling matter most.

Conversely, the Sony NEX-F3 is a solid starter mirrorless camera tailored to those entering the world of interchangeable lenses without a large investment. It delivers good image quality for its time, suits casual shooting and travel where weight and budget are concerns, but shows its age in AF speed, interface design, and feature depth.

There’s no shame in either choice - just pick based on what kind of shooting you do, your pocketbook, and how much you value ergonomics versus sensor size, or video features versus portable convenience.

I hope this hands-on comparison helps you navigate your next camera purchase with confidence. If you’ve got questions or want real-world shooting tips with either model, just ask - happy shooting!

Disclaimer: Prices and availability may vary over time; the above analysis reflects typical market conditions as of camera release dates and our latest testing.