Sony 16.1 Megapixels NEX-F3 Mirrorless Review by ePhotoZine With Rating 4.5/5

On May 16 2012, 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 $600. It's currently selling at around $510. Here's the summary of quick review by ePhotoZine, giving the camera a rating of 4.5 out of 5:

"Colour reproduction is superb and images are consistently well exposed. Focusing is fast and generally accurate, although when shooting portraits in low light it did occasionall focus on the wrong person, such as someone in the background. Portrait shots have decent skin tones, even when shooting with the flash (example below) and are free from red-eye. There is no noise at ISO 200, with barely noticeable increases through ISO 400, 800 and 1600. At ISO 3200 there is a slight loss of detail, and a little more is lost at ISO 6400, although images remain sharp. More detail is lost at ISO 12800, with images becoming soft in places, the highest setting of ISO 16000 even more detail is lost, with images softer still. Under the incandescent lights there is an orange cast when using the AWB preset, with the incandescent preset taking the better image. Under the fluorescent lights it is the AWB preset which excels. There are four different presets for fluorescent lighting, the -1 setting performs fairly well, with the other three all taking images with a colour cast.

The Sony NEX-F3 is a fantastic choice for those looking at their first interchangeable lens camera. It is very simple to use once you have familiarised yourself with the menu systems and takes excellent pictures, with fantastic detail and colour reproduction. If you're not sure yet how to get the best from using manual controls, you can still take excellent pictures using the Superior Auto mode, which selects the best camera settings for you automatically. If your budget is slightly limited, you may have to consider the Nikon J1, but the NEX-F3 has a larger sensor, meaning better image quality and less noise, there is also a wider range of lenses available. We also like the fast 5.5 fps continuous shooting, excellent battery life and rubber grip. All this means the Sony NEX-F3 comes highly recommended."

I love it!, Ash - May 14 2013
This is my first camera beyond your usual everyday digital camera & I love it! It's easy to use, the pics looks amazing, & it's not too bulky to carry around....

Great back up to my DSLRs, dmphotography - May 14 2013
The camera is great, takes decent video, better stills. The electronic shutter is a bit slow, but not too bad. Overall a good backup, but I wouldn't make it my primary camera....

very good except the lens, Xu Hong - May 12 2013
This camera is very good and the lens is good, too. However, the lens is too heavy for this camera. When use it to take photo, you will feel a little hard to control it because the lens is heavy than camera. If u don't care about that. This will be a good choose....

AWSOME!, Jay - May 10 2013
I just bought this camera bundle to take my on my vacation and I have been messing around with it and I love it takes clear pictures and has a pretty fast shutter speed I love it! Its easy to use has a lot of features, bottom line if your thinking about getting this camera or camera in this price range get a Sony NEX f3 you will love it....