Clicky

Sony NEX-F3 vs Sony A99

Portability
86
Imaging
57
Features
60
Overall
58
Sony Alpha NEX-F3 front
 
Sony SLT-A99 front
Portability
57
Imaging
69
Features
88
Overall
76

Sony NEX-F3 vs Sony A99 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
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-C3
  • Updated by Sony NEX-3N
Sony A99
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
  • Announced December 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony A900
  • Renewed by Sony A99 II
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sony NEX-F3 vs Sony A99 Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Sony NEX-F3 versus Sony A99, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR and both are produced by Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the NEX-F3 (16MP) and A99 (24MP) and the NEX-F3 (APS-C) and A99 (Full frame) feature totally different sensor measurements.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The NEX-F3 was released 3 months before the A99 and they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony NEX-F3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A99 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise overview of how the NEX-F3 grades vs the A99 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-F3 over the Sony A99

 NEX-F3 A99 

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Sony NEX-F3

 A99 NEX-F3 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1229k920kClearer display (+309k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Sony NEX-F3 and Sony A99

 NEX-F3 A99 
AnnouncedAugust 2012December 2012Similar age
Manually focus More exact focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Sony NEX-F3 vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera often, you have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Sony NEX-F3 provides outer dimensions of 117mm x 67mm x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7") having a weight of 314 grams (0.69 lbs) whilst the Sony A99 has dimensions of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") and a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony NEX-F3 versus Sony A99 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the NEX-F3 against the A99.

Sony NEX-F3 vs Sony A99 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the NEX-F3 and A99 is 86 and 57 respectively.

Sony NEX-F3 vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-F3 vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizes simply by reviewing specifications. The picture underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the NEX-F3 and A99.

To sum up, both of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The NEX-F3 due to its tinier sensor will make shooting shallow DOF trickier and the Sony A99 will offer you greater detail as a result of its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images a little more aggressively.

Sony NEX-F3 vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-F3 vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-F3 vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-F3 Portrait photography advice
Sony A99 Portrait photography advice
74
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
81
focusing manually
MP count good (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with face detection focus
delivers RAW files
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Sony NEX-F3 as a Street photography camera
Sony A99 as a Street photography camera
76
has a tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
75
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
above average ISO range (25,600)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-F3 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A99 as a Sports photography camera
53
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
great battery pack (470 CIPA)
max fps low (6.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proof
has phase detect auto focus
low battery life (500 CIPA)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony NEX-F3
Travel photography with Sony A99
69
great battery pack (470 per charge)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
60
environment proof
MP count good (24MP)
display is selfie friendly
does not have Time Lapse function
low battery life (500 shots)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-F3 Landscape photography information
Sony A99 Landscape photography information
70
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (470 shots)
does not have image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse function
74
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
above average ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
two card slots
low battery life (500 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse function
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-F3 Vlogging information
Sony A99 Vlogging information
27
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
does not have external mic support
76
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external mic socket
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Sony NEX-F3 vs Sony A99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-F3 and Sony A99
 Sony Alpha NEX-F3Sony SLT-A99
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha NEX-F3 Sony SLT-A99
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Released 2012-08-16 2012-12-12
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4912 x 3264 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 16000 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 25 19
Cross focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 121 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 920k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Xtra Fine LCD TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 314g (0.69 lb) 812g (1.79 lb)
Dimensions 117 x 67 x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7") 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 73 89
DXO Color Depth score 22.7 25.0
DXO Dynamic range score 12.3 14.0
DXO Low light score 1114 1555
Other
Battery life 470 images 500 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NPFW50 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Card slots 1 Dual
Retail price $470 $1,998