Nikon D3100 vs Sony NEX-F3

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Nikon D3100 vs Sony NEX-F3

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APS-C 355.7mm²
14.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3100 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D3100.

APS-C 366.6mm²
16.1 megapixels

Go in depth with our full Sony NEX-F3 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the NEX-F3.

Succeeded by the Nikon D3200
Compare D3100 vs D3200
Compare Nikon D3200 vs Sony NEX-F3

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Differences

Nikon D3100 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
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 1.5 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 12 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony NEX-F3 advantages over Nikon D3100

Less expensive
$600 vs $700 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
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

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
NEX-F3 test data on DxO Mark D3100 test data on DxO Mark

1,114 vs 919 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
41 mm vs 74 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
526g vs 777g
Lighter weight
More dots on screen
922k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Faster JPEG shooting
5.5 fps vs 2.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

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
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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Buy the Nikon D3100

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Buy the Sony NEX-F3

Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D3100 Full Review

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.
Read our Sony NEX-F3 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Nikon D3100

Sony DSLR-A380

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$849
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Sony NEX-F3

Sony DSLR-A380

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$849
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony NEX-F3 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Sony A33

Nikon D3100

Sony A33

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$540
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Sony A33

Sony NEX-F3

Sony A33

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$540
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony NEX-F3 vs Sony A33

Compared to Pentax K-r

Nikon D3100

Pentax K-r

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$850
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-r

Sony NEX-F3

Pentax K-r

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-F3 vs Pentax K-r

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Nikon D3100

Sony NEX-5R

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-F3

Sony NEX-5R

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Sony NEX-F3 vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Sony NEX-6

Nikon D3100

Sony NEX-6

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$549
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Sony NEX-6

Sony NEX-F3

Sony NEX-6

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$549
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-F3 vs Sony NEX-6

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