Sony NEX-F3 and A37 Specs Leaked

It looks like the full specs for the Sony NEX-F3 and A37 entry-level cameras are now out in the wild with a release date of May 17, courtesy of SonyAlphaRumors.  Leaked images vis Yangcanggih. Check out the spec lists below.

Sony NEX-F3 Specs

• 16.1MP CMOS sensor
• ISO 100-16,000
• 1080/24p or 1080/60i
• MP4 codec
• 180-degree tilting LCD
• Built-in flash
• 3fps
• No touchscreen
• $599 price point w/ 18-55mm kit lens

One thing that doesn’t jive with the specs and the leaked images is the MP4 codec listed in the NEX-F3 specs.  The images clearly showed the AVCHD logo on the camera body.  Likewise, a 1080/24p and 1080/60i frame rate suggests an AVCHD 1.0 codec.  If anything, I think the MP4 codec would be for a 720p option (like the NEX-C3) – although, the NEX-F3 appears to offer full 1080p HD video capture in addition to a possible 720p MP4 mode…

With the recent NEX models sporting the AVCHD 2.0 codec, it looks like Sony will differentiate the video capabilities on entry-level models by sticking with a max 30fps frame rate at full 1920 x 1080 resolution via the AVCHD 1.0 codec.  This should make the NEX-F3 a perfect consumer camera with great 1080p video.  And, if you want to get your overcranked footage on for smooth slo-mo, you’ll need to step up to the NEX-5N or higher.

Sony A37 Specs

• 16.1MP CMOS sensor
• ISO 100-16,000
• Built-in SteadyShot image stabilization
• 7fps frame frate
• 15-point AF system
• Tilting LCD
• 1080/24p and 1080/60i video
• $599 price point w/ 18-55mm kit lens
• $799 price point w/ 18-135mm kit lens

The A37 looks to be very competent as well for an entry-level shooter.  Frankly though, unless you have to have the phase-detection AF system of the SLT models, I would suggest most people to choose the NEX-F3 as an entry-level go-to camera over the A37.

I’ll have more concrete thoughts on these models once they are officially announced and I get my hands on them.

Stay tuned.