Sony NEX-3N is the company's ninth e-mount
camera since its launch three years ago, and also the fourth entry-level model.
The entry-level 3 series is specifically aimed at compact camera users who are
looking for better image quality, but hope to avoid the complexity of the DSLR.
This market is one of the goals established by the NEX and the NEX-3N system is
the most obvious attempt to accomplish it.
Sony
NEX-3N
The NEX-3N was built based on the feature
set of the F3 but was added two very attractive features to this target market.
The first is the inclusion of Sony’s 16-50mm retractable zoom lens, which
provides an unusually wide viewing angle (24-75mm equivalent) and optical image
stabilization. It combines with the 3N’s status as the smallest mirror-less camera
that does not include an APS-C sensor, to create a useful small package (though
still not pocket able). Another change includes a zoom lever on the camera’s
body (around the shutter button). This does not only take advantage of the
zoom’s capabilities but also makes it operate significantly like other compact
cameras.
The 3N has a flip-up screen which can turn up
to 180 degrees to make it easier for self-portraying. The new joint chassis is
much simpler than the one of the characteristics on the previous mode – it
simply revolves around the hinge, instead of us pulling it out and turning it
up as the previous one did. The result feels safer than the F3 did. Another
small change is the SD card slot which was moved from the bottom of the camera
to the accessory port on the right side of the camera.
For a long time, Sony has been trying to
make their series of different models more distinct – a key consideration now
is that there are four NEX series. So, still keeping going on with the budget, the
3N ignores autofocus sensor operated on faster sensors which have been seen on the
5R. In some ways, this is an understandable part of the product differentiation
– setting an obvious difference between the models but also removing some of
the features that will be the greatest benefits at the end of this market. One
of the best features of the Nikon 1 systems is the autofocus system, performing
object tracking better than any other cameras in this segment.
Thus, the 3N will not provide much
improvement on a compact camera. The camera was also created without the
touchscreen or the Wi-Fi functionality provided by the 5R, and ignores the accessory
port that the F3 once had, so there is no way we can attach an external
viewfinder.
Compared to the Olympus PEN E-PM2
Compared
to the Olympus PEN E-PM2
Although having a larger sensor, the NEX 3N
has the same size as the Olympus PEN E-PM2.
Compared
to the Olympus PEN E-PM2
Looking from the above, you can see it is
actually smaller. Sony could have found a place for a built-in flash, and an electronic
zoom lens collapsed to a smaller size than the manually retractable lens from
Olympus. In return, the E-PM2 has a hot shoe for an external flash, an accessory
port for electronic viewfinder lens, and image stabilization inside the camera
body, working with all lenses.
Compared to the Sony NEX-F3
Compared
to the Sony NEX-F3
Compared to the previous products, the 3N is
much smaller despite including almost all the same technology.
And
the advantage is their same size when you look from the above
And the advantage is their same size when
you look from above, even before you consider the size of the respective lens
kit. But it does not come with the accessory port seen on the previous NEX
models, which means it is not easy to attach a flash or an external viewfinder
lens.
On-hand
Although
reduced in size, the NEX-3N quite fits the hand.
Although reduced in size, the NEX-3N quite
fits the hand. A piece of rubber on the front of the camera and a thumb pad on
the back corner helps hold the camera firmly. The small and smooth zoom lever is
a little subtle but can still operate without any major difficulties.
