• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Sony NEX-F3 advantages over Canon SL1

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • 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 843 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 470 vs 380 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    41 mm vs 69 mm
    Thinner
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.5 fps vs 3.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Canon SL1 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
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.60 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    1140 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 16000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

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.

  • Extremely compact and lightweight for a DSLR; Delivers good image quality that's virtually identical to the Canon T4i/T5i; Accurate and relatively fast autofocus with improved Live View and Movie Hybrid CMOS II AF; Full 1080p HD movie recording; Better-than average kit lens (EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM).

  • Still not as compact as most mirrorless cameras; Slightly worse than average dynamic range and high ISO performance; Poor battery life.

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-F3
Sony NEX-5N
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 60p video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Canon SL1
Sony NEX-5N
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-F3
Sony NEX-5R
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Canon SL1
Sony NEX-5R
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony NEX-6

Sony NEX-F3
Sony NEX-6
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Canon SL1
Sony NEX-6
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony A58

Sony NEX-F3
Sony A58
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Thinner
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Canon SL1
Sony A58
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Sony NEX-F3
Pentax K-S1
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Canon SL1
Pentax K-S1
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
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