Sony Alpha NEX-F3K Pro Reviews

Paired with a better-performing lens, though, the Sony NEX-F3 represents a good choice for the consumer photographer. Images are pleasing, the body quite compact and lightweight, and the feature set provides a reasonable scope to learn and grow -- and not just for still image shooting, as you can also control exposure manually for videos, too. While experienced photographers may find the Sony NEX-F3 rather too simplified, and the performance in some areas -- especially for raw shooting -- to be a bit limiting, it's a great choice for an entry-level mirrorless camera.

The Sony NEX-F3 significantly improves on its predecessor with a more versatile 180 degree tilting screen, fully integrated pop-up flash and 1080 50i/25p HD video recording. The resulting camera provides a compelling upgrade path for frustrated compact owners, even if its usability and price still leave a little to be desired. Looking and feeling more like a compact camera than ever, this new NEX perhaps lacks the retro charm of the Olympus PEN series, but it certainly majors as a viable upgrade option for someone looking for DSLR-like image quality without the size and bulk of such a system. The unwieldy clip-on flash unit of its predecessor has thankfully been replaced by a much better integrated pop-up flash that you can't leave at home or lose entirely, and we also liked the more pronounced hand-grip with the shutter release handily located on top.

An outstanding camera with welcome improvements over the NEX-C3, but check the latest prices on other NEX cameras before buying

The Sony Alpha NEX-F3 is one of the best entry-level mirrorless cameras on the market. While its menu-driven interface isn't for everyone, its impressive photo quality and host of useful features offer a lot of bang for the buck.

In the end, the largest added-value of this camera is its ease of use, image quality, the “Superior” auto-mode (Sony’s own feature name) and the ability to charge and sync with Micro-USB. If you have checked the photos and videos that I have posted on Flickr, you can see that the image quality is very good. I have not had any particular issue with the LCD in terms of not being able to see, but again, this may vary depending on your own environment. That said, I doubt that I would purchase a $350 viewfinder for a $600 camera. Of course there’s ample competition. For instance, you can check my review of the Olympus E-P3 camera, which is great too, but costs $800, which is a substantial difference, and I can’t say that it is 30% better than the NEX-F3, even if enthusiast photographers may prefer its many physical controls.

The NEX-F3 is an excellent mirrorless ILC, but it's not the best entry-level camera -- not even from Sony. There's little here to push us to make the jump from the company's NEX-C3, which we find to be the better option, even at the same price (we're told to expect C3 price reductions beginning next month). If you're considering picking up an F3, you'll likely be best served by the camera's predecessor, which you may even be able to pick up at a discount. Even at $600, however, we find the C3 to be the better buy, and continue to stand behind it as one of the category's top values.

The NEX-F3 takes elements of the NEX-C3, 5N, and 7, and turns it into a great camera for anyone stepping up from a point-and-shoot. Its pictures and video both leave something to be desired from an APS-C camera, but quality is certainly a level above anything you'll get from a point-and-shoot. The NEX-5N is slightly faster and offers better video recording options and a touchscreen, but the F3 keeps most of the rest of the 5N's features and performance, and adds a roomy grip and a great pop-up flash. The self-portrait features are more gimmicky than useful, but the tilting LCD is a great feature. If you've never owned a DSLR and don't know bracketing from ISO, the NEX-F3 is a great choice. It's neither powerful enough nor malleable enough for an experienced shooter, but if you're looking to step up from a point-and-shoot to a camera you can grow into with lenses and accessories, it's hard to go wrong with any of Sony's NEX cameras. There are a handful of great Micro Four Thirds cameras, plus a large and thriving lens ecosystem, but the price of entry there tends to be much higher. Samsung also (somewhat quietly) makes a viable competitor to the NEX cameras with its NX series, and the NX1000 appears to be worth a look. It's also worth mentioning that the NEX-C3 is still a great camera, and can likely be found for considerably less than $599.99 now that the F3 is out — if you can do without 1080p video and the awesome flash, it might be a better option. As far as bang for your buck, though, for $599.99 the NEX-F3 is still hard to beat.

The Sony Alpha NEX-F3 is a worthy successor to the Editors' Choice NEX-C3. The latest iteration impresses with superb image quality, even at very high ISO settings, and you get a deeper handgrip, built-in flash, and support for an optional EVF.

The Sony NEX-F3 is priced at £530 in the UK and $599 in the US, the same as the Sony Alpha 37. We weren't able to examine any of the images that we shot with the Sony NEX-F3 pre-production sample on a computer, so we will have to reserve judgment about its image quality until we get a full production sample in for testing. However, we know that it uses Sony's third generation Bionz engine, and this has been tried and tested - not least in the excellent Sony Alpha 77. In addition, Sony hasn't been tempted to push the pixel count beyond the NEX-C3's (in fact it is 0.1 million lower) and this should bode well for noise control. Naturally we want to use the Sony NEX-F3 in a range of conditions before we reach a verdict, but its AF system proved very capable, latching onto subjects quickly, and the auto white balance setting delivered results that look decent on the camera screen. So on balance, the Sony NEX-F3 looks like a promising camera for those looking for a step-up from a compact model.

With cameras like this around, you can understand why we had reservations about the Panasonic Lumix G DMC-GX1. We feel this is very nice move up from an enthusiast point-and-shoot. The small size, quality of the stills and videos and the nicely-loaded feature set make this camera a good option for anyone shopping for a CSC or entry-level DSLR this season.