Sony A560 vs Sony NEX-F3

The following is a extended review of the Sony A560 and Sony NEX-F3, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both created by Sony. The image resolution of the A560 (14MP) and the NEX-F3 (16MP) is fairly similar and they feature the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The A560 was brought out 24 months prior to the NEX-F3 making the cameras a generation away from one another. The two cameras offer different body type with the Sony A560 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-F3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going through a detailed comparison, below is a short highlight of how the A560 grades against the NEX-F3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Sony Alpha DSLR-A560 and Sony Alpha NEX-F3. The entire galleries are viewable at Sony A560 Gallery and Sony NEX-F3 Gallery.

For those who are planning to travel with your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Sony A560 enjoys outer dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Sony NEX-F3 has proportions of 117mm x 67mm x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7") having a weight of 314 grams (0.69 lbs).

Compare the Sony A560 and Sony NEX-F3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the A560 and the NEX-F3.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A560 and NEX-F3 is 64 and 86 respectively.

More often than not, it is very hard to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions merely by going over a spec sheet. The picture here should offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the A560 and NEX-F3.

As you can see, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Sony NEX-F3 to deliver extra detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged A560 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.