Sony 16.1 Megapixels NEX-F3 Mirrorless Review

Sony announced the NEX-F3 entry-level NEX digital camera, replacing the predecessor NEX-C3. The NEX-F3 comes with a compact body and features a similar mirrorless design as other models in Sony's E-mount family. It features a 16.1 Megapixels Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor and supports Full HD videos (60i/24p). It also comes with a 180° Tiltable LCD screen, a first for Sony's E-mount camera line, as well as a built-in flash, same as the one on the NEX-7. The NEX-F3 includes the new Auto Portrait Framing feature for identifying a subject's position in a composed image, and follows the rule of thirds to trim the scene appropriately around the subject's face. The cropped portrait is then boosted to full resolution using Sony's By Pixel Super Resolution technology, which uses pattern matching to maintain image detail, tones and textures in the photo.

Both the original and cropped image files are saved for review. By Pixel Super Resolution Technology is also used for the Clear Image Zoom feature, which digitally doubles the effective magnification of any lens attached to the camera. Other features includes the Superior Auto mode, which intelligently recognizes a wide range of scenes and subjects and adjusts settings automatically, 18% improvement in battery live, and an optional FDA-EV1S OLED viewfinder accessory. Together with the NEX-F3, Sony also announces the new SEL18200LE E18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS LE telezoom lens offers a 11x zoom range. It's smaller and 12% lighter than the SEL18200 lens. It also features Direct Manual Focus to give users precise control over focus settings. The NEX-F3 is available in silver, black and white with an 18-55mm kit zoom lens (model SEL1855) for about $600.

Here's the summary of review by Gizmodo, giving the camera a rating of 4 out of 5:"The NEX-F3 is snappy. It finds focus fast and fires almost instantaneously--this is definitely the most notable improvement in the camera's performance. From the menus to the shutter release, it's just more responsive. The camera was tested primarily in semi-automatic modes, and exposure and focus weren't always immediately correct in, say, the early-morning conditions that add a lot of contrast to a photo. Still, diving into the menus and adjusting the settings almost always produced the desired results. Like the NEX-C3, the camera's big, 16.2 megapixel, 23.4 x 15.6 mm sensor lets you shoot at high sensitivity without losing quality. The average viewer probably wouldn't notice a difference in image quality between a photo taken on the NEX-C3 versus the NEX-F3.

The camera is supposed to be able to take photos up to a maximum ISO of 16,000, but you should stay below ISO 3200. See that image below? That's ISO 3200; you don't want more noise than that. Taking a cue from the competition, the NEX-F3 shoots at up to 1920 x 1080 HD video, an upgrade from the NEX-C3's 1280 x 720. The camera's settings also now list the shots' frame rates--clearly, Sony has its sights set on hooking some videographers. The video quality is better than before. But even with a slightly larger camera body, it's still hard to get a perfectly steady shot. The camera works well for impromptu recordings, but don't count on shooting a film with it.Should I Buy it? Yes, for $600, the Sony NEX-F3, like the NEX-C3, is a great buy. It's a major improvement for people who would otherwise buy top point-and-shoot cameras, like the Canon S100. It provides the image quality, flexibility, and some of the features of a DSLR. Although, if you want a camera you can stick in your pocket and master straight out of the box, this is the wrong one to buy. As for this generation's upgrades, the new hardware features aren't essential--to get a deal, consider looking around for a discounted NEX-C3."

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