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Sony NEX-3 vs Sony TF1

Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TF1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
34
Overall
37

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony TF1 Key Specs

Sony NEX-3
(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
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-C3
Sony TF1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.6-4.7) lens
  • 152g - 102 x 62 x 23mm
  • Launched June 2013
Photography Glossary

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony TF1 Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Sony NEX-3 and Sony TF1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Waterproof and both of them are offered by Sony. The image resolution of the NEX-3 (14MP) and the TF1 (16MP) is relatively well matched but the NEX-3 (APS-C) and TF1 (1/2.3") use different sensor dimensions.

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The NEX-3 was unveiled 4 years before the TF1 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony TF1 being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a short view of how the NEX-3 grades against the TF1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Sony TF1

 NEX-3 TF1 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k460kClearer screen (+460k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony TF1 over the Sony NEX-3

 TF1 NEX-3 
LaunchedJune 2013June 2010Newer by 37 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony NEX-3 and Sony TF1

 NEX-3 TF1 
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony TF1 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Sony NEX-3 offers external dimensions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs) while the Sony TF1 has dimensions of 102mm x 62mm x 23mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.9") and a weight of 152 grams (0.34 lbs).

Check out the Sony NEX-3 and Sony TF1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the NEX-3 and the TF1.

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony TF1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the NEX-3 and TF1 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony TF1 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony TF1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be hard to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions only by reading through specifications. The image here should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the NEX-3 and TF1.

Plainly, the 2 cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The NEX-3 with its bigger sensor is going to make getting bokeh easier and the Sony TF1 will give you extra detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged NEX-3 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony TF1 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony TF1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony TF1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-3 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony TF1 as a Portrait photography camera
72
has manual focus
decent megapixels (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
35
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-3 Street photography information
Sony TF1 Street photography information
76
has a tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have image stabilization
69
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports touch to focus
weather proof
lighter than others (152 grams)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-3 as a Sports photography camera
Sony TF1 as a Sports photography camera
52
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect AF
42
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
weather proof
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (240 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony NEX-3
Travel photography with Sony TF1
59
decent megapixels (14MP)
missing Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
69
lighter than others (152g)
weather proof
supports touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
bad battery life (240 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-3 Landscape photography factors
Sony TF1 Landscape photography factors
68
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
decent megapixels (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have image stabilization
missing Timelapse mode
40
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
weather proof
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.6)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
bad battery life (240 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-3 Vlogging features
Sony TF1 Vlogging features
27
supports face detection focusing
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone port
33
really wide (25mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
lighter than others (152 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.6)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic support
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Sony NEX-3 vs Sony TF1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-3 and Sony TF1
 Sony Alpha NEX-3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TF1
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha NEX-3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TF1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Introduced 2010-06-07 2013-06-21
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4592 x 3056 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 25 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-100mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.6-4.7
Macro focus range - 1cm
Total lenses 121 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 920 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT Xtra Fine LCD TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Advanced Flash
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 297g (0.65 lbs) 152g (0.34 lbs)
Dimensions 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") 102 x 62 x 23mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 68 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.0 not tested
DXO Low light score 830 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 shots 240 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NPFW50 NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $0 $266