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Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-F3

Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-F3 front
Portability
86
Imaging
57
Features
60
Overall
58

Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-F3 Key Specs

Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Released August 2009
  • Successor is Sony A560
Sony NEX-F3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 314g - 117 x 67 x 42mm
  • Released August 2012
  • Previous Model is Sony NEX-C3
  • Later Model is Sony NEX-3N
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Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-F3 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Sony A500 versus Sony NEX-F3, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are produced by Sony. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the A500 (12MP) and NEX-F3 (16MP) but they come with the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The A500 was unveiled 4 years before the NEX-F3 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-F3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go in to a detailed comparison, below is a quick overview of how the A500 grades versus the NEX-F3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Sony NEX-F3

 A500 NEX-F3 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-F3 over the Sony A500

 NEX-F3 A500 
ReleasedAugust 2012August 2009Newer by 36 months
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Sony A500 and Sony NEX-F3

 A500 NEX-F3 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-F3 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Sony A500 provides physical dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 630 grams (1.39 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).

Compare the Sony A500 versus Sony NEX-F3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the A500 vs the NEX-F3.

Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-F3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A500 and NEX-F3 is 63 and 86 respectively.

Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-F3 top view buttons comparison

Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-F3 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its tough to envision the difference in sensor dimensions just by researching specifications. The picture below may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the A500 and NEX-F3.

Plainly, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Sony NEX-F3 to render more detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more aged A500 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-F3 sensor size comparison

Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-F3 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-F3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A500 Portrait photography details
Sony NEX-F3 Portrait photography details
63
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
74
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A500 Street photography highlights
Sony NEX-F3 Street photography highlights
74
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
76
screen tilts
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A500 Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-F3 Sports photography advice
51
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
bad battery life (520 shots)
53
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good battery life (470 shots)
low fps (6.0 fps)
no image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A500 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-F3 as a Travel photography camera
43
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (520 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
69
good battery life (470 CIPA)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A500 Landscape photography info
Sony NEX-F3 Landscape photography info
60
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
bad battery life (520 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
70
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (470 shots)
no image stabilization
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A500 Vlogging details
Sony NEX-F3 Vlogging details
9
can't shoot video
27
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
lack of microphone port
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Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-F3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A500 and Sony NEX-F3
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500Sony Alpha NEX-F3
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 Sony Alpha NEX-F3
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2009-08-27 2012-08-16
Body design Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4272 x 2848 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 12800 16000
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony E
Total lenses 143 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160s 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 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 630 grams (1.39 lb) 314 grams (0.69 lb)
Dimensions 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") 117 x 67 x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 64 73
DXO Color Depth score 21.8 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score 11.6 12.3
DXO Low light score 772 1114
Other
Battery life 520 pictures 470 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FM500H NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Price at release $638 $470