Sony NEX-F3K/B 16.1 MP Mirrorless Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens (Black)

I love taking photos of almost anything. Thing is, I am not very good even for an amateur. So after a few months of reading and watching many reviews on the NEX C3, NEX F3, NEX 5N and the expensive NEX 7 I decided on the F3. I have not been disappointed. I bought the F3 with the 18mm-55mm kit lens and immediately started shooting, for me, amazing photos. I used the macro a lot at first and got such vivid, sharp, clear pictures that I couldn't believe I took them. So for me I needed a camera that would shoot outstanding photos with little effort or skill on my part. I had a DSLR but after a year of lugging that around I sold it for something a little lighter, the Sony NEX F3. Actually it is a ton lighter in weight even with the kit lens on that I never am without it. I mean, NEVER, without it. The good thing is that it is so easy to use and extremely light weight.Some of the reviews between the 5N and F3 said it was a drawback for the F3 not to have a touch screen. No problem for me at least. I can go from scene mode etc by just touching the big button on the right of the screen and use the scroll wheel to widen or tighten a shot or scroll through pictures already taken. I am not much for touch screens as I don't like to put any more fingerprints on the screen than I have to so this was a no brainer for me. Also the discussions between the F3 and C3 and the LCD screen. True the C3 has the screen that will tilt down more than the F3 when shooting above your head in concerts, etc (I don't don't go to concerts or ever need to shoot above my head) but with the F3 you have the auto self portrait. After going to Sante Fe, NM and being in the sun I didn't find the tilting of the screen to be of any importance to me. The auto self portrait, I thought, would be a wasted function but to my surprise I used it more than I thought I would. It was neat to be able to take of photo of myself and my husband together (we had to get real close) while at the dog park and I didn't need to ask anyone to take our photo or use a tripod which I don't have and would not haul it around at the dog park anyway. So I can't say it is a useless function and I actually enjoy using it in areas my husband and I want to show others where we are. True if someone took a photo of us it would probably look better but the photos we have are clear and fun. People say it takes a long time to charge the battery on a PC but with the provided wall charger I found the battery charges quickly so again not a problem for me.Another thing is the movie function of the F3. I have taken several videos and all are clear, sharp, and look like I took it with a full size video camera. You can use the settings to determine the sound but I used the sound as set in default and loved it. Be sure to load the CD into your computer to do reviews of all photos especially the video or you won't have sound. Since I don't do video much anymore and only need it for under 10 minutes (if I even need that much)this is perfect and it saves me money on the purchase of a video camera. I read reviews that the 5N heats up and shuts down after using video for several minutes which was another reason I went with the F3 besides the extra $100 for the 5N.Things I had to consider in purchasing an expensive smaller camera were as follows....PROS:1. I have RA and holding a larger camera with a heavy lens is no longer an option. So those of you with physical problems this may help as I can literally hold this with one hand and take amazing photos. I also only have the use of 1 eye and still can take wonderful photos.2. I didn't want to spend all my time learning another camera.3. Point and shoots didn't give me as much as my DSLR and I found them somewhat limiting but the F3 gives me as much as I want to do nowadays and can do a whole lot more if you want it too.4. The video on the F3 is amazing so I didn't have to purchase a separate video camera since my old one bit the dust a few years ago.5. The F3 was so easy to use. I literally charged it up overnight and started using it the next morning after just quickly going through the manual. If you use a camera a lot then you can just read about the functions particular to the NEX's and just start shooting.6. Battery life is good for me. I used is for 3 solid days while visiting Sante Fe, NM and took I don't know how many photos but still had 85% battery left on our way home. I watched a video review of the F3 and they said you can take about 470 photos on 1 battery charge. I believe it as I also took small videos as well.CONS:1. The price of additional lenses. One review explained that the "mirror" technology is the reason for the high price. I understand newer technology, especially if it is compact, but seriously? A lens that costs more than the camera with a kit lens? Common on. The sad fact is that for us that want great photos and video today, could wait a few years and most likely get a better camera with all the lens for a little price. Life, for me, is too short to wait.2. Doesn't have a built in viewfinder. This was the biggest draw back, especially in the sun but since I wear a hat to protect me from the sun it aided in seeing the object I wanted to shoot. You can buy a viewfinder but I looked into the one by Sony and it was very expensive so again I will wait and use my hat which I have to wear any way. I believe the NEX 7 has a lot more plus a built in viewfinder but for at least double the price. These days if I can get what I want to start with immediately then I can search around and get the rest for better prices. You can get a bundle with a couple of lens but you will pay handsomely for it. It is all about being able to afford the options, at least for me and as I use the F3 I will see just what lenses I want and don't want.I really can't fault this camera. I am sure a professional could find drawbacks but since I am a grandmother and use it for the places we travel to, shooting videos of my alpacas, graduations of grandchildren, and just general shooting of things around town, this F3 is more that I had hoped for or dreamed of. Since I carry it with me everywhere I hope to capture some unusual scenes and perhaps that shot of a lifetime.I did purchase a Lowepro camera bag that is shaped like my camera at Walmart for $18.00 as opposed to the same bag at Best Buy for $25. It is padded pretty well, strap is good and has an open pocket in the back that I put extra things in so I don't have to carry a purse. However, it is small and I am looking for a slightly bigger one to carry just a few more things in but if I never find it this one is fine and will serve me well.My camera fulfillment was through Amazon and as a Prime Member I got free 2 day delivery. The camera was delivered on time, in absolute perfect condition. I also bought the 2yr ext. warranty and it was delivered digitally as stated.Again, I can't fault this camera and you should try it if you want more than a point and shoot, shoots almost as good as a DSLR without having the cost or weight of a DSLR.

I have had this camera for a little over a week now and it is a great camera. This is definitely not a low budget camera but an almost professional level camera. This takes outstanding photos and is very simple to use. The flash being built in is great and is very responsive. I have only taken pictures in Auto and intelligent Auto so far but I am impressed. Low light pictures are good in auto without the flash but great with the flash. Pictures of my four month old son are great with the background blur, it just makes the portrait pop.I played around with the magic functions too and I really love the results with the pop color effect. This effect makes the one color of your choosing (green, red, blue, yellow) show up on a black and white photo. Very cool when you want this color to stand out for an artsy photo. I did find the accuracy of this to be good but not great. Some times with the lighting your color of choice will not show up if a colored area is shaded slightly or you will get color where you don't want color just because it picks a shade close to the basic color and makes it that bold color when it was only slightly that color. Long story short its not perfect but if you can control the circumstances this function adds artistry to your photos.People complained this camera is larger than the c3 it replaced but I wish it was larger (at least the hand griping area). My hands are large and I can not grip the camera with my right hand with all my fingers which makes for some awkward finger placement while taking pictures. Before buying this camera my wife and I thought that our cellphone pictures of our son were of good enough quality but when cropping, zooming and looking at on a retina display iPad we quickly realized we were not doing our son justice with our cell phone pictures. I knew when buying this camera that it was a lot of money but investing in quality craftsmanship is always a great decision and I believe I have made a great decision in buying this camera.***UPDATE***I still use this camera as much as possible. I have probably taken 2500 pictures so far with this camera and I like it a lot. I purchased the Sony Macro lens for use with this camera and that opens up a lot of great photo opportunities with the camera and lens. I like that the camera lcd flips to face the front for impromptu selfies. Camera performs well in low light situations and rarely does my flash fire when I think it may need to.The speed of the continuous shooting is amazing. I have some great action shots of my now 2 year old son jumping into a pool during this past summer and his grandfather waiting to catch him. Moments like that are great to capture with photos and video.I am saving up to buy the 55-210mm lens as I enjoy nature and want to capture pictures of birds and other wildlife that are too far away for the stock 18-55 lens that I currently have. I love this camera.