• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 10.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  •  

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Differences

Nikon D3000 advantages over Sony NEX-F3

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.10 vs 4.78 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.70 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment

Sony NEX-F3 advantages over Nikon D3000

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,114 vs 563 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.3 vs 11.1 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Thinner
    41 mm vs 64 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 10.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.5 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    16000 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

  • Great image quality; Above-average battery life for a mirrorless camera; Makes light work of shooting self-portraits; Very versatile video mode for a camera of this class.

  • Built-in flash is weak and uneven; Grip feels cramped due to low shutter button position; Bundled kit lens turns in a mediocre performance, and body isn't sold without the lens.

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A230

Nikon D3000
Sony DSLR-A230
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • HDMI out
Sony NEX-F3
Sony DSLR-A230
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony DSLR-A330

Nikon D3000
Sony DSLR-A330
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $530
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
Sony NEX-F3
Sony DSLR-A330
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $530
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Pentax K-r

Nikon D3000
Pentax K-r
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup
Sony NEX-F3
Pentax K-r
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Nikon D3000
Sony NEX-5R
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Sony NEX-F3
Sony NEX-5R
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Sony NEX-6

Nikon D3000
Sony NEX-6
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
Sony NEX-F3
Sony NEX-6
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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