With a built-in flash and an over-the-top, front-viewable rear screen, Sony’s entry-level NEX-F3 is targeted at all family members
Sony NEX-F3 at a glance:
- 16.1-million-pixel CMOS sensor
- Bionz processor
- ISO 200-16,000
- 180° rotating LCD for self-portraiture
- Built-in flash
- Street price £499
The NEX-F3 is the first model in Sony’s third generation of compact system cameras. The first generation included the NEX-5, the world’s smallest and lightest interchangeable-lens camera at the time, and the NEX-3, which was a fractionally larger, plastic-bodied version that sold for a more affordable price.
These cameras had sleek and slender bodies thanks to the fact they did not have electronic viewfinders and the flashgun was a separate device included in the box. While this worked for the body size, the lenses needed to be quite large to cover the APS-C-sized sensor, so they appeared taller than the body. The flagship NEX-7 was added to the second generation, and included both flash and viewfinder in the body, which resulted in a more even match between lens and camera.
The NEX-F3 is the new entry-level model in the range and is a progression from the NEX-3 and NEX-C3 models, but like the NEX-7 it now offers a built-in flash unit. The ‘F’ in its name stands for family, as this camera has been designed to be used by all members, from granddad to granddaughter, and includes a new feature to aid the popular practice of taking self-portraits.
- Video: 1080 (50i) AVCHD (25fps output), 720p MP4 (30fps)
- External mic: Yes (through Sony accessory port)
- Shutter Type: Electronically controlled focal-plane shutter
- White Balance: Auto, 6 presets, Kelvin, plus custom setting
- Built-in Flash: Yes (GN 6m @ ISO 100)
- Memory Card: SD, SDHC, SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
- Viewfinder Type: N/A (port for optional EVF)
- Output Size: 4912 x 3264 pixels
- LCD: Articulated 3in LCD with 921,600 dots
- White Balance Bracket: No
- AF Points: 25-point (contrast AF), centre, flexible spot, multi-point
- Max Flash Sync: 1/160sec
- Sensor: 16.1-million-effective-pixel, APS-C (23.5 x 15.6mm) CMOS sensor
- Weight: 225g (body only)
- Focal Length Mag: 1.5x
- Exposure Modes: iAuto, Superior Auto, program, aperture priority, shutter priority, manual, scene selection, sweep panorama, 3D sweep panorama
- Power: Rechargeable NP-FW50 Li-Ion (470 shots)
- File Format: JPEG, ARW (raw), AVCHD/MP4
- Drive Mode: 5.5fps
- Shutter Speeds: 30-1/4000sec in 1⁄3EV steps plus bulb
- Colour Space: Adobe RGB, sRGB
- Focusing Modes: Single, continuous, manual
- DoF Preview: No
- Dimensions: 117.3 x 66.6 x 41.3mm
- Metering System: 1,200-zone evaluative metering, centreweighted and fixed centre spot
- Connectivity / Interface: USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, HDMI
- Compression: 2-stage JPEG
- ISO: 200-16,000
- Lens Mount: Sony E mount
- RRP: £530 (with 18-55mm kit lens)
- Exposure Comp: ±3EV in 1⁄3EV steps
- Tested as: Enthusiast CSC