Unleash Your Inner Photographer with the Sony Alpha NEX-F3: A Comprehensive Review

This blog post will give you an in-depth review of the Sony Alpha NEX-F3 camera, including its features, performance, and capabilities. With high-quality images and user-friendly controls, the NEX-F3 is the perfect camera for anyone looking to unleash their inner photographer.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Sony Alpha NEX-F3 article cover photo

Key Features

Aug 16 2012

Announced

16 megapixels

Resolution

BrandSony
Sensor TypeAPS-C
SensorCMOS
Weight314g
MSRP$699USD

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Overview of the Alpha NEX-F3

Are you looking for a camera that can take your photography skills to the next level? Look no further than the Sony Alpha NEX-F3. With its advanced features and intuitive controls, this camera is perfect for both amateur and professional photographers alike. In this blog post, we will take a deep dive into the NEX-F3's capabilities, including its innovative autofocus system, high-quality image sensors, and user-friendly interface. Plus, we'll explore some of the most popular photography styles that the NEX-F3 is ideal for, including portrait, landscape, and macro photography. So grab your camera bag and let's get started!

Sony Alpha NEX-F3 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Sony Alpha NEX-F3 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

Excellent image quality
Large image sensor
Compact and lightweight
High ISO performance
Interchangeable lens system
High-resolution LCD screen
User-friendly interface
Fast autofocus
Flexible shooting modes
Good battery life

Cons

Limited lens selection
No built-in electronic viewfinder
Slow continuous shooting speed
No built-in flash
No external mic input
Limited video recording capabilities
No image stabilization in body
Limited customization options
No touchscreen functionality
Limited Wi-Fi connectivity

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Sony Alpha NEX-F3

Weather sealed
Dimensions117 x 67 x 42mm
Weight314g
Thickness42mm
Weight
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Max
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Weather Sealing

The Sony Alpha NEX-F3 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderElectronic (optional)
Screen TypeTilting
Screen Resolution920k dots
Body typeRangefinder-style mirrorless

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a tilting 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 920k dots. This makes the Sony Alpha NEX-F3 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

Alpha NEX-F3 includes a electronic (optional) viewfinder with no electronic viewfinder of resolution with a coverage of n/a and a magnification of n/a. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Sony Alpha NEX-F3 has a 16MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 16 pixels. Sony Alpha NEX-F3 has a native ISO range of 200 - 16000 which can be boosted to null - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Aug 16 2012

Announced

200 - 16000

ISO Range

SensorAPS-C
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution4912 x 3264 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

73 / 102

Color Depth

22.7 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

12.3 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

1114 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Sony Alpha NEX-F3 camera has above average color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also above average, allowing it to retain low amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is poor, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Alpha NEX-F3 is average

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: APS-C

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Battery Life470 shots
Battery ModelNPFW50
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Sony Alpha NEX-F3 supports SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Sony Alpha NEX-F3 uses the NPFW50 model of battery pack. This is rated for 470 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Sony Alpha NEX-F3 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. It also offers a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Sony Alpha NEX-F3 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Sony Alpha NEX-F3 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with 25 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Sony Alpha NEX-F3?

The Sony Alpha NEX-F3 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Sony Alpha NEX-F3 weather sealed?

No the Alpha NEX-F3 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Sony Alpha NEX-F3 announced?

The Sony Alpha NEX-F3 was announced on Aug 16 2012

Does the Sony Alpha NEX-F3 have in-body image stabilization?

No the Alpha NEX-F3 does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Sony Alpha NEX-F3?

The Alpha NEX-F3 has a native ISO range of 200-16000, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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