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Sony NEX-F3 vs Sony RX100 IV

Portability
86
Imaging
57
Features
60
Overall
58
Sony Alpha NEX-F3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
79
Overall
62

Sony NEX-F3 vs Sony RX100 IV Key Specs

Sony NEX-F3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • 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
  • New Model is Sony NEX-3N
Sony RX100 IV
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 298g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Revealed June 2015
  • Previous Model is Sony RX100 III
  • Successor is Sony RX100 V
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Sony NEX-F3 vs Sony RX100 IV Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Sony NEX-F3 vs Sony RX100 IV, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact and both of them are manufactured by Sony. The image resolution of the NEX-F3 (16MP) and the RX100 IV (20MP) is pretty well matched but the NEX-F3 (APS-C) and RX100 IV (1") posses different sensor size.

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The NEX-F3 was introduced 3 years before the RX100 IV which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Sony NEX-F3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony RX100 IV being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the NEX-F3 matches up vs the RX100 IV when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-F3 over the Sony RX100 IV

 NEX-F3 RX100 IV 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 IV over the Sony NEX-F3

 RX100 IV NEX-F3 
RevealedJune 2015August 2012Newer by 34 months
Screen resolution1229k920kCrisper screen (+309k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Sony NEX-F3 and Sony RX100 IV

 NEX-F3 RX100 IV 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Sony NEX-F3 vs Sony RX100 IV Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Sony NEX-F3 provides exterior dimensions of 117mm x 67mm x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7") and a weight of 314 grams (0.69 lbs) and the Sony RX100 IV has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") with a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs).

Contrast the Sony NEX-F3 vs Sony RX100 IV in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the NEX-F3 compared to the RX100 IV.

Sony NEX-F3 vs Sony RX100 IV size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the NEX-F3 and RX100 IV is 86 and 89 respectively.

Sony NEX-F3 vs Sony RX100 IV top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-F3 vs Sony RX100 IV Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions just by looking at specs. The pic below may give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the NEX-F3 and RX100 IV.

All in all, both of the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The NEX-F3 using its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Sony RX100 IV will give greater detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged NEX-F3 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Sony NEX-F3 vs Sony RX100 IV sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-F3 vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-F3 vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-F3 Portrait photography advice
Sony RX100 IV Portrait photography advice
74
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
65
has manual focus
above average flash sync (1/2,000s)
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
comes with face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
no external flash support
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-F3 Street photography highlights
Sony RX100 IV Street photography highlights
76
has a tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
85
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is nice (1")
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition in class (298 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-F3 Sports photography features
Sony RX100 IV Sports photography features
53
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good battery (470 per charge)
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect autofocus
68
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
high fps (16.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
comes with tracking focus
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-F3 Travel photography advice
Sony RX100 IV Travel photography advice
69
good battery (470 shots)
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
86
lighter than competition in class (298 grams)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
decently wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-F3 Landscape photography information
Sony RX100 IV Landscape photography information
70
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
good battery (470 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
no Time Lapse function
74
has manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
delivers RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-F3 Vlogging features
Sony RX100 IV Vlogging features
27
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
no mic jack
81
decently wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (298g)
lack of mic support
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Sony NEX-F3 vs Sony RX100 IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-F3 and Sony RX100 IV
 Sony Alpha NEX-F3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha NEX-F3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Released 2012-08-16 2015-06-10
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1"
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4912 x 3264 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 16000 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 200 125
RAW format
Min enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 25 25
Lens
Lens mount Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-70mm (2.9x)
Highest aperture - f/1.8-2.8
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Available lenses 121 -
Crop factor 1.5 2.7
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 920 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Xtra Fine LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.59x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps 16.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/24p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p/24p/120p), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
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 314 grams (0.69 lbs) 298 grams (0.66 lbs)
Physical dimensions 117 x 67 x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7") 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 73 70
DXO Color Depth score 22.7 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 12.3 12.6
DXO Low light score 1114 562
Other
Battery life 470 pictures 280 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NPFW50 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) Yes
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $470 $898