Sony NEX-F3: mirrorless camera with a low price of P27,999

Here’s a gutsy monsoon-season forecast for the Philippine digital-imaging scene: one surprisingly affordable shooter is going to rain all over the competition in the lower-rung interchangeable-lens camera segment.

Meet the classy and small-bodied Sony Alpha NEX-F3 mirrorless model and its 16.1-megapixel big-camera APS-C sensor (the same one found on the Sony Alpha NEX-7), which delivers big-camera results. The kicker? It’s priced at just P27,999. Far lower—unbelievably lower—than the standard going rate for a decent mirrorless offering right now.

Specs include the following:

• E-mount lens system compatibility; optional adaptor for A-mount lenses sold separately
• 16.1-megapixel APS-C CMOS image sensor
• BIONZ image processor
• ISO 200 – 16,000
• Full-HD 1080p video recording
• 3-inch, tiltable screen
• 11 picture effects
• Continuous burst shooting for up to 5.5 frames per second
• Built-in, pop-up flash
• SD, SDHC, SDXC, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo compatibility

And it’s made by Sony. You know, the major Japanese manufacturer whose past products spent a great deal of time atop the pricing pyramid? The brand’s been practically synonymous with being pricey since its rise to global popularity.

Well, not anymore, it seems. Not 2012 Sony. This year, this Tokyo-based conglomerate  hopes to have its name and the word “affordable” in the same sentence.

And here comes the Sony Alpha NEX-F3.

It has an over-the-counter P27,999 price tag but comes with features such as a pop-up flash, 1080p video recording, a BIONZ image processor, a 3-inch tiltable LCD screen, and a healthy selection of post-production touches? Unbelievable.

This mirrorless camera is now locally available in black and white color schemes, and comes with a carrying case, an 18-55 lens, and an 8GB memory stick.

 

See also

• Review: Sony Alpha NEX-7