Sony NEX-F3 Hands-on Preview

May 2012 | By Amadou Diallo

Preview based on a production NEX-F3 with firmware 1.00

Since this preview was published we have collaborated with Jeff Keller of The Digital Camera Resource Page to produce a full, 14-page review of the Sony Alpha NEX-F3 which you can read here.

The NEX-F3 is the latest entry to Sony's mirrorless camera lineup, replacing the NEX-C3. It was only two years ago that the company introduced their NEX line of small form-factor cameras housing DSLR-sized APS-C sensors. Yet in a sign of the company's unmistakable belief in the growth potential of the Mirrorless market, Sony is now offering what is essentially a third generation model, one that sits below the mid-range NEX-5N and the highly regarded enthusiast offering, the NEX-7.

The NEX-F3 shares many of the core features of its predecessor, the NEX-C3. Yet the NEX-F3 also incorporates specs and functionality that come from more recent NEX and SLT cameras. A built-in flash is one of the more prominent additions, along with a design and styling aesthetic that calls to mind both the NEX-5N and NEX-7. Like those cameras, the NEX-F3 features a prominent hand grip and a shutter button that sits forward of the camera's top plate. Video specifications are improved over its predecessor, with the NEX-F3 outputting AVCHD 1080 video at 60i or 24p. The camera includes Sony's most current accessory port which can be used to connect an electronic viewfinder or a stereo microphone.

Under the hood, the 16MP APS-C sensor is an update of that on the NEX-C3 and, we're told by Sony is supported by a newer processor than the one found on the NEX-5N. The NEX-F3 has a top ISO of 16,000. Note that in Auto ISO mode the camera will go up as high as ISO 3200, instead of limiting itself to ISO 1600 as it did in the NEX-C3. The NEX-F3 also offers a Superior Auto mode - something we regretted not seeing in the NEX-C3 - in which the camera can select among multi-shot modes for expanded dynamic range and noise reduction as needed.

While not an oversized camera by an means, the NEX-F3 is a larger and slightly more bulky camera than any past or current NEX-series model other than the NEX-7. As you can see below, it is a noticeably larger camera than the NEX-C3. Yet at a list price of US$599, the NEX-F3 is clearly aimed at users coming from a point and shoot experience rather than DSLR owners. The F3 is the first NEX camera to not feature an external charger - instead it comes with a higher-current (about 1.5A, rather than the usual 0.5A) USB power adapter that allows the fast USB charging Sony has been introducing to its Cyber-Shot compacts.

The NEX-F3 gains some bulk compared to the NEX-C3. Much of the size difference can be attributed to the NEX-F3's more prominent hand grip, front-mounted shutter button and built-in flash.

Going by the spec sheet alone, the NEX-F3 is not likely to turn the heads of those who are not already interested in a NEX-series camera. In many ways the NEX-F3 merely catches up to advances Sony has made in cameras launched since the NEX-C3. From the SLT-A57 there's the 'By Pixel Super Resolution' intelligent interpolation, with the 'Clear Image Zoom' it brings. And an 'Auto Portrait Framing' feature that looks for a good portrait crop in images with a face in them and saves an upsized crop alongside your original image.

The NEX-F3's most significant raison d'être is perhaps that it contributes to a more coherent lineup of NEX cameras in terms of features and styling. Displayed alongside the NEX-5N and NEX-7, the NEX-F3 looks and feels (in-hand) part of a very consistent design philosophy.

Sony NEX-F3 specification highlights

16.1MP CMOS sensor
ISO 200-16000 (200-3200 in Auto)
Built-in flash
AVCHD 1080i60 HD movie recording with built-in stereo mic
Rear LCD that tilts up 180º

The Sony NEX-F3 is not as svelte as the Olympus E-PL3, particularly with its kit zoom lens attached. It's worth noting though that the NEX-F3 contains an APS-C sensor that is significantly larger than the Micro Four Thirds sensor in the Olympus model.

If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).

Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions.

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DPReview calibrate their monitors using Color Vision OptiCal at the (fairly well accepted) PC normal gamma 2.2, this means that on our monitors we can make out the difference between all of the (computer generated) grayscale blocks below. We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X,Y and Z and ideally A,B and C.

Comments

Total comments: 58

BEWARE: If your thinking of wanting to use this camera for video!!
All of the Nex cameras have major problems with sporadic overheat and shutdown issues that have not been resolved by Sony!

I wish DPReview would do some better testing on video of all there cameras, Video is becoming just as important as photos! Especially on the Web.

0 upvotes

Actually almost all the cameras with HD video ability are overheating (including the DSLRs). They are simply not built for that. Also all of these have the 30min restriction to avoid duties.

I'd recommend everyone wanting to use any camera (not just NEX) as a HD video camera to check it's limitations and possible tweaks with other users, that's for sure.

0 upvotes

Can anyone comment on ISO 200 as the lowest available? Is this significant? Or just a number compensated by other "numbers"?

0 upvotes

No viewfinder... /yawn

0 upvotes

I almost can't believe that you are not even mentioning just *once* that this is a interchangeable lens camera! An introduction like this would have been nice:
"The NEX-F3 is the latest entry to Sony's interchangeable lens mirrorless camera lineup"

Just two words...

Not being super familiar with Sony all I wanted to know was if this was a large-sensor compact or an interchangeable type compact!

The clue that gave it away in the end was the fact that it said "MSRP: Body + lens..." on page 2...

1 upvote

come on ^^ seriously ?

3 upvotes

Based on its price tag and release schedule, you might have assumed that the NEX-F3 is here to dethrone Sony's NEX-C3. That may or may not be the case (we're hoping for the latter) -- the F3 is much more a scaled-down version of the NEX-7 than an update to the C3.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 1 minute after posting

1 upvote

i like sony

0 upvotes

Maloy - I don't remember last time in my life when I had been laughing so wholeheartedly like now,reading your text.Thank you!

1 upvote

The sample pics speak for themselves. Excellent!

0 upvotes

we need lenses, primes from 12 up and a 12/24 zoom.
And again, that bloody video knob is just on the spot an old photographer puts his thumb. Who are the idiots that design such a brainless system. I'm yelling around all time with the nex-7 with that bloody button. Could they not include a video position in the shooting mode reel that switches off that button when in any of the other modes. That button sucks.

0 upvotes

Typo beginning of fourth paragraph:

"While not an oversized camera by an means,"

I believe you meant "by any means"

0 upvotes

Stop crying everyone. Buy other brand if sony is not good enough for you.

4 upvotes

Too big. Pen blows it away.

0 upvotes

What is to big or to small is in the eye of the beholder. And the same applies to the sensor size.

0 upvotes

agreed Ah.

0 upvotes

An articulated screen designed for taking Facebook-style arm's-length self-portraits seems like the most pointlessly hipster-oriented "feature" I've seen on a camera since "art filters" (it ought to come with a "duck-face" AF detection mode). I would rather they made the camera simpler (and cheaper) with a fixed screen than do it this way, or do it properly and make it a reversible, side-hinged tilt-swivel screen like Panasonic and Canon (and some Olys and Nikons).

What I *really* want to see is the NEX-F5 come with a built-in EVF rather than a huge, expensive plug-in wart that costs more than half as much as the body (even if it's 800x600x3 SVGA rather than XGA). I don't care if the body is plastic or magnesium. The 16MP sensor is great and works better with wide-angle RF lenses than the 24MP. Price it like the A57 (why not - there's a lot less in a NEX than even a basic DSLR) and I'll be there!

Comment edited 6 minutes after posting

2 upvotes

HAHAHA "DUCK-FACE AF MODE" wow that just made my day

0 upvotes

Does the sensor have microlens on it?
I am thinking of buying a cheap body for my Leica M lenses.
Not cheap enough.
The articulation donwards is more usefull than the self portrait mirror position.

0 upvotes

turn your camera upside down, who cares, when you shoot pictures. On video that will be more critical for sure.

0 upvotes

Yes - digital sensors have a substrate layer that focuses the light that falls outside of each photosite (like the areas between the photosites) into each photosite.

Most manufacturers refer to that substrate layer by its smallest functional segment - which is a microlens sitting above each photosite.

0 upvotes

Sony... where are the eggs? We NEED eggs!!!

0 upvotes

Yawn another digicam

0 upvotes

Remember, this is pretty much the same sensor as the D7000. You sacrifice a lot of manual control, but IQ bang for your buck? This is probably the best deal out there.

0 upvotes

Still no AE Lock button?...

0 upvotes

No viewfinder... no sale

3 upvotes

The target audience this camera is targeted towards do not want a viewfinder. You want a viewfinder? Get the NEX-7. Learn2market.

4 upvotes

Sony, we need some more lenses.

3 upvotes

Spec says "electronic" shutter. Is this SILENT? Can all lights be turned off? ala "STEALTH" mode. I need quiet and dark camera to shoot during symphony performance.
It has an internal mirror (which may make noise if it has to flip up, no noise if it stays in place). Any feedback from early testers on how quiet and "dark" this camera can be?

0 upvotes

what a dog ugly mo-fo right there! a pointless update on a perfectly adequate previous model. imagine they put the same dedication into lens design. when is our standard wide aperture going to be made? 50mm = too long zeiss 24mm = too expensive 30mm macro= too pointless 18-200=too big 55-200=too big

0 upvotes

Bigger, heavier body than 5N, without touchscreen, fast continuous shooting, articulating for overhead shooting, with lower maximum ISO... for only $49 less? Why even bother looking at this thing?

At least C3 made sense being smaller and lighter.

2 upvotes

Looks like a better body. I tried the C3. Way too small.

BUT HOW ABOUT SOME LENSES SONY!!!

Erg.

1 upvote

oh... another coca-cola can instead of lens

0 upvotes

finally a mirrorless camera with all the check boxes I've been waiting for:
-built in flash
-evf compatible
-sweep panorama (why panasonic won't include this is beyond me)
-tilting lcd (again, shame on panasonic for purposely omitting this from the gx1 so as not to cannibalize video-friendly g series sales)
-relatively affordable price

only thing missing is compact lens, on which I'm willing to take my chances that will roll out sooner or later
thanks sony!

3 upvotes

Exactly, built in flash is must in every mirrorless slr cameras, Its understandable to not see flash in some higher class cam´s but not in thie genre.

Untill now, Olympus was the best firm, who could read the consumers mind. Seems like Sony takes over !

2 upvotes

Why do you think that flash should be built-in vs detachable? If it is detachable, you can attach it and it works just like built-in. Or you can replace it with a better model, and it works much better than built-in. Or you can go to the beach without it, and you have smaller, lighter camera in your hands. Looks like built-in is a DOWNGRADE to P&S level.

1 upvote

A fast compact lens for the NEX? People have already waited two years, to no avail. Sony will probably roll out a H3, J3, X3, and Z3 before it gives a thought to lenses or anything else. Even then, out of spite, it may decide to introduce a whole new camera series, with a different lens mounts, and a whole new series of big, slow lenses. The company execs dare not lose face by admitting any omission or problem in the lens offering. Dogged denial is a widely-honored practice.

5 upvotes

The EVF is an additional $350, so for people who want a viewfinder, an entry-level DSLR is a better value.

1 upvote

pv - cant use a detachable lens and viewfinder at the same time
justme - i dont want to giant entry level dslr - i want a small camera with an evf
cheze - i hope youre wrong, maybe a tonika or sigma will come to the rescue

0 upvotes

Exactly. Making this camera a bit bigger still makes it smaller than most DSLRs. To me, the proportions are better. Now if Sony could only expand their lens line with more quality glass.

0 upvotes

Heartily agree with the flash and sweep panorama, though shame the screen doesn't do overhead. Some prefer a separate flash, but I cannot see why - at this level, it's the camera you carry that gets the shots, not scrabbling around to find a spare piece of equipment. Even my iPhone has a built-in flash, and very useful it is too.

0 upvotes

As the owner of two csc systems, dare I say those people asking for small firm-factor + aps-c sensor + articulating screen + built-in evf + built-in flash + reasonable lens line up....should look at the Samsung nx20? Have the nx10 and it's a quality item.

0 upvotes

is there an electronic first curtain shutter or not?

0 upvotes

No electronic first-curtain shutter like the 5N or just electronic shutter?

0 upvotes

At last, a camera body that is higher than the width of their lenses, looks much less like a lens with a camera attached!

3 upvotes

The lower (and narrower) body fits better in a pocket, smaller is better.

Because of the size of the lenses, I usually keep the camera in a position where the lens points upwards when pocketed. F3 is quite significantly bigger and heavier than C3, which those who feel a need for the flash can probably justify. I want them to get smaller.

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

1 upvote

roy5051 (no picture?)... you are right. A much better design.

0 upvotes

The lens IS the central element of the equipment needed for capturing an image so, by all means, do think of cameras as lenses with bodies attached. Lenses, for the time being, are made of glass, which make them heavy. Good lenses in particular tend to have a lot of it. The other stuff is much easier to miniaturize. Therefore, to think of cameras as lenses with bodies attached is natural also from a purely physical point of view and thus a logical design premise.

1 upvote

I don't like its design. Shutter buton is too deep and also those loops for strap are not good either. C3 looks so much better. I like the gain of build in flash but not the extra bulk. Lets wait for canon csc

2 upvotes

A bigger body (to improve handling), built-in popup flash, better video (w/ 1080p60) and other tweaks all seem like a decent update. Plus it's slightly cheaper than before. Nice! Only complain is there still isn't a hotshoe; maybe on the 5N's replacement.
This + Sigma 30/2.8 would be awesome. Still need more NEX lenses though.

3 upvotes

Very exciting development. Three levels within the NEX. Now, at top end, integral EVF?? What else???

0 upvotes

Integrated EVF, better build quality, tri-navi, 24MP...

2 upvotes

phase detection AF, 18-135 e-mount, a tad more intelligent auto WB...

0 upvotes

From the pictures here, it looks like the hinge on the screen lost the ability to angle downward. It was a feature that I ended up using frequently to record concerts; let me shoot over top of the crowd and still watch the screen with relative ease. The built-in flash is a welcome addition tho.

0 upvotes

Get the 5N and be done with it...

3 upvotes

Nice that the flash is built-in. But why do they keep mating a 16:9 LCD to a 3:2 sensor? And is it really necessary to have articulating screen on every model? I'd rather have cheaper, lighter camera.

0 upvotes

Because they put the settings display down the left and right of the image, making use of the 16:9 resolution. I'm guessing you never actually used a NEX?

The articulating screen is a highlight and a key feature - it would be a very very very small market that would buy a model without one.

8 upvotes

Total comments: 58