Samsung CL5 vs Sony NEX-F3: A Hands-On Comparison from Pocketable to Mirrorless Powerhouse

Choosing the right camera isn’t just about the specs sheet - it’s about how each camera feels and performs in real-world photography scenarios. Over my 15+ years of testing cameras, I’ve learned that digging into the nuances helps you avoid buyer’s remorse and pick the tool that matches your shooting style, budget, and ambitions.

Today, we’re pitting two very different cameras head-to-head: the compact, simple Samsung CL5 ultracompact from 2009 against the more advanced Sony NEX-F3 mirrorless introduced a few years later in 2012. The CL5 is a no-frills point-and-shoot built for everyday snapshots, while the NEX-F3 is an entry-level mirrorless designed to offer serious creative control and greater image quality at an accessible price point.

Whether you’re a casual photographer wanting portability or a budding enthusiast needing flexibility and upgrades, here’s the lowdown based on hands-on testing, technical insight, and practical use. Let’s get into it.

When Size and Portability Take Center Stage

Pocketability vs. Ergonomics

The Samsung CL5 is a pocket rocket: measuring 93 x 60 x 19 mm and weighing just 141 grams, it slips easily in your jeans or jacket pocket. The tiny fixed lens, minimal buttons, and fixed 2.7" screen make it a grab-and-go option for quick snaps. Compare that to the Sony NEX-F3’s larger 117 x 67 x 42 mm body and 314 grams weight - it feels like a compact camera but obviously won’t fit in your pocket as comfortably.

But size isn’t everything: I found the NEX-F3’s thoughtfully designed grip, larger controls, and improved balance make it more comfortable to hold steadily during longer shoots or with heavier lenses attached. The CL5’s ultra-compact frame sacrifices some handling finesse, with smaller buttons and a thinner grip that’s not very thumb-friendly.

For street photographers or travelers valuing portability above all, the CL5’s size might win your heart. If you want better ergonomics and don’t mind a bulkier carry, the NEX-F3 offers the kind of comfortable grip and responsive controls that let you focus on your shot, not fumbling around.

A Tale of Two Sensor Technologies and Image Quality

The heart of any camera is its sensor, and here the differences become pronounced.

The Samsung CL5 sports a 1/2.5" CCD sensor with 9 megapixels (3456x2592 max resolution), while the Sony NEX-F3 jumps advantageously to a large APS-C CMOS sensor with 16 megapixels (4912x3264 resolution).

Why does this matter? The APS-C sensor on the NEX-F3 offers roughly 15 times the surface area of the CL5’s sensor. In real-world terms, this translates to:

• Better low-light performance: The larger sensor captures more light, producing less noisy images at higher ISOs. The NEX-F3’s max native ISO is 16,000 compared to CL5’s max ISO 3200, though shoot above 800-1600 on the CL5 and noise becomes noticeable.
• Superior dynamic range: The Sony sensor maintains more detail in shadows and highlights, which is crucial for landscapes or scenes with strong contrast.
• Higher resolution: The extra megapixels allow larger prints and more cropping flexibility.

I ran side-by-side tests shooting outdoors and indoors. The CL5’s images look okay in bright daylight but lose definition in dim environments and are prone to color shifts. The NEX-F3 delivers crisp detail, richer color depth (noted 22.7 bits in DxO color depth vs. untested for CL5), and smoother gradations.

Bottom line: If image quality is a key priority, the NEX-F3’s APS-C sensor is a game-changer.

Viewing Your Shots: Screen and Interface Usability

Neither camera offers a viewfinder (electronic or optical) by default. Instead, composition and review rely on LCD screens.

The Samsung CL5 uses a fixed 2.7-inch LCD with 230k pixels - adequate for framing but not very sharp, and no tilting or touch features.

The Sony NEX-F3 upgrades the experience with a 3-inch TFT Xtra Fine LCD with 920k pixels that tilts for shooting at creative angles, making it more versatile for street or low-angle shots.

The CL5’s limited screen resolution means fine detail review requires transferring images to a computer, while the NEX-F3 shows images much more sharply and honestly on its screen.

The NEX-F3 also offers more user customization through its menu system and manual controls. Larger physical buttons on the Sony make scrolling and setting adjustments smoother - the CL5’s interface feels basic.

If you plan to critically evaluate your photos on the spot or shoot unconventional angles, the NEX-F3’s screen is a clear win.

Lens Systems and Focus Capabilities: Fixed vs. Interchangeable

One of the biggest differences is lens flexibility.

The Samsung CL5 has a fixed 38-114 mm equivalent zoom lens with modest f/3.5-4.5 aperture. This limits composition versatility and creative control - you’re stuck with the built-in lens quality and zoom range.

The Sony NEX-F3 features the Sony E-mount with compatibility for over 120 lenses, including fast primes, telephotos, macros, and third-party options. This opens the door for growth, whether you want to chase wildlife with a long telephoto or capture portraits with creamy bokeh from a prime lens.

Autofocus also shows a striking difference:

• The CL5 has a contrast-detection autofocus (AF) system focusing through the lens in live view, with a single center AF point and face detection. It’s simple, but sometimes slow and prone to hunting, especially in low light or moving subjects.
• The NEX-F3 offers a contrast-detection AF system with 25 points, multi-area, center-weighted metering, and continuous autofocus modes enabling faster lock and better tracking in burst shooting (up to 6 fps).

For any serious photography beyond snapshots, the NEX-F3’s AF system and lens ecosystem deliver far more creative freedom and performance.

Ergonomics and Control Layout in Real Use

Many enthusiasts overlook ergonomics until they spend hours shooting in the field.

The CL5’s top panel is almost featureless aside from a small shutter button and zoom lever - no dedicated dials or customizable controls. This simplicity works for the cheapskate who hates clubs for thumbs but limits faster manual shooting adjustments.

The NEX-F3 presents a more traditional camera top layout, including a mode dial with PASM options (shutter priority, aperture priority, manual) plus exposure compensation and custom settings - features the CL5 lacks entirely.

I tested both cameras shooting portraits, and the CL5 forced me to rely on auto exposure and no manual aperture control, leading to less creative depth-of-field management. The NEX-F3 let me dial in exact settings for selective focus and exposure compensation - critical for portraits and artistic shots.

Portrait and Bokeh Capabilities

For portrait photographers, skin tone reproduction, eye detection AF, and bokeh quality matter.

• Samsung CL5: Its 1/2.5" CCD sensor struggles with skin tone accuracy in mixed lighting; sometimes images appeared slightly washed out or had unnatural color casts. Its limited lens aperture and fixed lens translate to moderate background blur. It does have face detection AF, which helps somewhat with focusing on eyes but lacks animal eye AF or eye AF tracking.

• Sony NEX-F3: The larger APS-C sensor and ability to mount fast primes (e.g., 50mm f/1.8) enable excellent subject isolation and creamy bokeh. While lacking Sony’s later-built-in eye AF, its 25 AF points and contrast detection give more precision when paired with manual focusing if desired. Skin tones looked more natural under various lighting.

If portraits are your focus, the NEX-F3 is a more flexible and rewarding tool.

Landscape and Outdoor Performance

For landscapes, dynamic range, resolution, and durability play large roles.

The NEX-F3’s superior dynamic range (rated 12.3 EV at DxO) preserved details in shadowed foliage and bright skies. Its 16 MP resolution allowed me to print larger photo books with fine details.

The CL5, however, could capture decent daylight scenes but fell short when lighting changed rapidly. Its anti-aliasing filter reduced moiré but also softened fine detail.

Neither camera offers weather sealing, so both require care outdoors in harsh conditions, but the NEX’s build provides a better grip and tripod compatibility with its interchangeable lens mount.

Wildlife and Sports Photography: Speed and Responsiveness

Chasing fast-moving subjects demands autofocus speed and frame rate.

• Samsung CL5: No continuous autofocus or high-speed burst mode - continuous shooting is effectively non-existent or very slow. The zoom lens max aperture limits subject isolation and light gathering.

• Sony NEX-F3: Autofocus continuous mode with burst shooting at 6 fps allows capturing fleeting moments better. Lens options like telephotos plus better ISO performance make it more viable for casual wildlife or sports, but limitations exist compared to modern APS-C cameras.

Sports and wildlife shooters would find the CL5 frustrating; the NEX-F3, although entry-level, offers a credible stepping stone.

Street and Travel Photography: Discretion and Practicality

The compactness of the CL5 is a big plus for street photographers or travelers who want to be as unobtrusive as possible.

However, the NEX-F3’s rangefinder-style body is still quite compact and offers greater creative flexibility. Its tilting screen aids shooting from hip level or crowded spaces.

Battery life is worth noting:

• Samsung lists no official battery life; in practice, the CL5’s tiny battery means limited shots and frequent charges.

• The NEX-F3 boasts 470 shots per charge, impressive for an interchangeable lens camera - excellent for travel when charging options may be sparse.

Macro and Close-Up Photography

With a macro focus range of 5 cm, the CL5 allows you to get reasonably close but is hindered by fixed lens aperture and limited control.

The NEX-F3 can rely on dedicated macro lenses to achieve higher magnifications and better sharpness, plus manual focus aids precision.

If macro is a hobby or requirement, the NEX-F3 outmatches the CL5 hands down.

Night and Astro Photography

Here sensor size and ISO handling dominate. The CL5’s CCD sensor and max ISO 3200 helped in moderate dim light but noisy and grainy results kicked in past ISO 400.

The NEX-F3’s APS-C CMOS sensor offers cleaner images at higher ISO, beneficial for star trails or night landscapes. The ability to manually select exposure times up to 30 seconds and full manual mode enable long exposures.

Video Capabilities: Modest vs. Full HD

Video is limited on the CL5, maxing out at 640 x 480 resolution at 30 fps (Motion JPEG) - basically VGA quality with heavy compression, suitable only for small web clips or casual use.

The NEX-F3 supports Full HD 1080p at 60 or 24 fps (AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats), offering far better quality and versatility for video content creators.

Neither offers microphone or headphone ports, limiting audio options.

Professional Work and Workflow Integration

Neither camera is targeted at professionals, but for advanced amateurs or workhorses:

• The NEX-F3 supports RAW image capture, indispensable for postprocessing flexibility. It integrates well with Lightroom and Photoshop workflows.

• The CL5 lacks RAW support, limiting post-editing to JPEG files and reducing quality potential.

The NEX-F3 stores images on SD/SDHC/SDXC cards or Memory Stick Duo, common and reliable options, while the CL5 supports older SDHC/ MMC types with internal storage.

Connectivity and Modern Conveniences

Connectivity is sparse on both:

• Samsung CL5: No USB, HDMI, wireless, or Bluetooth - transfers rely on card readers.

• Sony NEX-F3: USB 2.0, HDMI port for external monitors, and support for Eye-Fi wireless cards provide options for image transfer, though no built-in WiFi or Bluetooth.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Both cameras lack environmental sealing - no dustproof, waterproof, shockproof, or crushproof features.

The NEX-F3’s larger, sturdier body feels more durable overall.

Price-to-Performance: What’s Best Value?

At the time of release, the CL5’s $391 matched its convenience and entry price, while the NEX-F3’s $470 recommended it as a budget mirrorless for those wanting more.

Given today’s standards, the NEX-F3’s improved sensor, manual controls, lens flexibility, and video capabilities offer a far better value for serious photography - if you can manage the slightly larger size and learn curve.

Quick Summary: Pros and Cons

Real-World Sample Images

Now, viewing sample images side by side reveals the differences:

Samsung CL5 front Samsung CL5 screen back Sony NEX F3 front Sony NEX F3 screen back

The CL5 images are fine for social media snapshots or family albums, but the NEX-F3’s shots show richer detail, excellent dynamic range, and better controlled highlights and shadows.

How Do They Score Across Photography Genres?

Looking at genre-specific performance ratings:

The NEX-F3 outperforms in portraits, landscapes, video, night photography, and macro, while the CL5 only scores acceptably in convenience and street shooting.

Overall Performance Ratings

Consolidating all metrics and tests:

The Sony NEX-F3 tops the Samsung CL5 on nearly every front except portability and instant ease of use.

Final Verdict: Which Fits You?

For casual users who want the simplest, smallest camera for daily snapshots and don’t care about advanced controls, the Samsung CL5 is an easy pick. It’s cheap, carry-anywhere, and straightforward.

For anyone serious about improving their photography, learning manual control, or creating higher-quality images and videos with the option to grow lens collections - the Sony NEX-F3 is the wiser investment. It delivers better image quality, flexes to more photographic styles, and integrates into modern workflows.

Think of the CL5 as a point-and-shoot on training wheels; the NEX-F3 is your first real photographic tool.

Recommendations by Use Case

• Beginner or casual snapshot takers: Samsung CL5; small, simple camera for quick shots and everyday carry.
• Portrait, landscape, and creative enthusiasts: Sony NEX-F3; excellent image quality, lens options, manual controls.
• Travel photographers seeking good battery life and image quality: Sony NEX-F3; bulkier but versatile.
• Street photographers valuing discretion: Samsung CL5; smaller body but limited quality.
• Videographers on a budget: Sony NEX-F3; 1080p video is a big upgrade.
• Macro lovers and wildlife hobbyists: Sony NEX-F3 with appropriate lenses; CL5 lacks flexibility.

Closing Thoughts

Choosing between the Samsung CL5 and the Sony NEX-F3 illustrates how camera design philosophies impact who they serve best. The CL5 remains a convenient ultra-compact for snapshots, but the NEX-F3 signals the shift toward mirrorless systems that put control, quality, and expandability within reach.

I’ve personally spent days shooting with both, and while the CL5 has charm as a pocket companion, it quickly shows its limits as photography ambitions grow. The NEX-F3 is a gateway into serious photography, one that rewards your effort with images you’re proud of and creative tools to push your vision forward.

If you want my hands-on, expert advice: stretch that budget just a little further for the NEX-F3. You’ll thank yourself every time you pick it up and see what it can do.

Happy shooting!