• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 16,000
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 18.4 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Sony NEX-3N advantages over Nikon J4

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $650 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.78 vs 2.52 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,067 vs 426 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.4 vs 10.7 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 480 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/160 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens

Nikon J4 advantages over Sony NEX-3N

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Higher-res screen
    346k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality for an entry-level mirrorless; User interface ideal for consumers stepping up from point-and-shoots; Speedy and accurate autofocusing; Zoom lever on body; Tremendous value.

  • Lack of hot shoe or accessory port limits more advanced shooting; No electronic viewfinder; Performance lags behind previous model, especially on burst shooting speed.

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-3N
Sony NEX-5R
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Nikon J4
Sony NEX-5R
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sony NEX-3N
Samsung NX1100
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Higher-res screen
Nikon J4
Samsung NX1100
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Sony NEX-3N
Sony NEX-5T
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Nikon J4
Sony NEX-5T
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Sony NEX-3N
Samsung NX Mini
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Nikon J4
Samsung NX Mini
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Higher-res screen
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Nikon J5

Sony NEX-3N
Nikon J5
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Nikon J4
Nikon J5
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Tiltable Screen
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