Nikon Df vs Sony NEX-3N

      Nikon Df

      Sony NEX-3N
      65
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      57
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon Df and the Sony NEX-3N, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Nikon Df was introduced in December 2013 and Sony NEX-3N was introduced in February 2013. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Nikon Df Highlights

      • 16.2 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 12,800 Native ISO
      • 39 Focus Points (39 Cross-type)
      • 3.2" 921k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 5.5 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Sony NEX-3N Highlights

      • 16.1 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 200 - 16,000 Native ISO
      • 25 Focus Points (25 Cross-type)
      • 3.0" 460k dot Tilting Screen
      • 4.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Nikon Df
      4. Advantage of Sony NEX-3N
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Nikon Df and Sony NEX-3N.

      PROS

      Nikon Df

      Sony NEX-3N

      •   Large Sensor
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   High DxO Overall Score - 89
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Long Battery Life - 1400 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Video Capture
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 269 g (0.59 lb / 9.49 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Nikon Df

      Sony NEX-3N

      •   No Video Capture
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 480 shots


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Nikon Df

      Sony NEX-3N

      •   Price
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   -1 EV Min AF Detection
      •   39 Focus Points
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.5 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Weight - 760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz)
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16.1 Megapixel
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 74

      Advantage of Nikon Df

      Nikon Df
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon Df over Sony NEX-3N.

      Nikon Df vs Sony NEX-3N
      Larger Sensor Full Frame vs APS-C
      Higher Sensor Resolution 16.2 Megapixel vs 16.1 Megapixel
      Lower Native ISO 100 vs 200
      Max Image Resolution 4928 x 3280 vs 4912 x 3264
      More Focus Points 39 vs 25
      More Cross-type Focus Points 9 vs 0
      Center Autofocus vs
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Face Detection vs
      Phase Detection for Autofocus vs
      Larger Screen 3.2" vs 3.0"
      Higher Resolution Screen 921k dot vs 460k dot
      Top LCD Screen vs
      Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) vs
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 5.5 fps vs 4.0 fps
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/250 sec vs 1/160 sec
      External Flash Connectivity vs
      Multi-Segment Metering vs
      Center Weighted Metering vs
      Spot Metering vs
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 3279 vs 1067
      Higher DxO Color Depth 24.6 vs 22.8
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 13.1 vs 12.5
      Higher DxO Overall Score 89 vs 74
      Environmental Sealing vs
      Longer Battery Life 1400 shots vs 480 shots

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon Df.

      Pentax K200D
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Nikon Z30
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      20.9 MP

      Nikon D700
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      12.1 MP

      Nikon 1 S1
      Image cannot be found

      1-inch

      10.1 MP

      Nikon D810
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      36.3 MP

      Fujifilm X-S10
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      26.1 MP

      Nikon D3400
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon 5DS
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Sony NEX-F3
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Panasonic GX8
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      Micro Four Thirds

      20.3 MP

      Canon 7D II
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      APS-C

      20.2 MP

      Panasonic G95
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      Micro Four Thirds

      20.3 MP

      Advantage of Sony NEX-3N

      Sony NEX-3N
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony NEX-3N over Nikon Df.

      Nikon Df vs Sony NEX-3N
      Video Capture vs
      Higher Native ISO 12,800 vs 16,000
      Screen Type Fixed vs Tilting
      Built-in Flash vs
      Built-in Microphone vs Stereo
      Lighter 760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz) vs 269 g (0.59 lb / 9.49 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sony NEX-3N.

      Sony NEX-6
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-C3
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      APS-C

      16 MP

      Sony a5000
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      APS-C

      20.1 MP

      Sony NEX-5N
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-7
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      APS-C

      24.3 MP

      Sony NEX-3
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      APS-C

      14.2 MP

      Sony NEX-5
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      APS-C

      14 MP

      Sony NEX-5T
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-F3
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-5R
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Nikon D3300
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Sony a7 II
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      Full Frame

      24.3 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Nikon Df Sony NEX-3N
        Live View Autofocus
        HDMI Output Mini Type D
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Nikon Df Sony NEX-3N
        Timelapse Recording
        No Image Stabilization
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi via optional WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Nikon Df has a 3.2" Fixed screen with 921k dot resolution and Sony NEX-3N has a 3.0" Tilting screen with 460k dot resolution. Tilting screen makes Sony NEX-3N very useful for photography purposes but not so useful for video shooting.

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      Sony NEX-3N with Tilting screen


      Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder on Nikon Df

      Nikon Df has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 100% coverage and 0.70x magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Sony NEX-3N.

      Sensor

      Nikon Df features a 16.2 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 36.0 x 23.9 mm and a total area of 860.4 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 12,800 and expands to 50 - 204,800 in boosted mode. Sony NEX-3N features a 16.1 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.5 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 243.4 mm2. Its native ISO range is 200 - 16,000.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Nikon Df is equipped with EXPEED 3 processor and can take pictures up to 4928 x 3280 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like FX: 3696 x 2456, 2464 x 1640; DX crop: 3200 x 2128, 2400 x 1592, 1600 x 1064 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Sony NEX-3N is equipped with BIONZ processor and can take pictures up to 4912 x 3264 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4912 x 2760, 3568 x 2368, 3568 x 2000, 2448 x 1624, 2448 x 1376 with 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Nikon Df has Nikon F lens mount and Sony NEX-3N has Sony E lens mount. Due to Full Frame sensor in Nikon Df its crop factor is equal to 1x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length. Due to APS-C sensor in Sony NEX-3N its crop factor is equal to 1.5x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


      No Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Nikon Df it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Sony NEX-3N nothing can be done. On Sony NEX-3N it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon Df nothing can be done.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Nikon Df has a Mini HDMI and Sony NEX-3N has a Type D HDMI connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Nikon Df comes with EN-EL14,EN-EL14a battery pack with battery life of 1400 shots and Sony NEX-3N comes with NPFW50 battery pack with battery life of 480 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Nikon Df has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slot. Sony NEX-3N has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Nikon Df has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon Df, and up to 1/4000 sec on Sony NEX-3N. Nikon Df can shoot continuously up to 5.5 fps. Sony NEX-3N can shoot continuously up to 4.0 fps.


      Focusing

      Nikon Df has 39 (9 cross-type) focusing points and Sony NEX-3N has 25 focusing points. Nikon Df has detection range from -1 to +19 EV.


      Exposure

      Exposure meterings of Nikon Df ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±3 EV range on Nikon Df. You can also do exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon Df and and manual exposure adjustment on Sony NEX-3N.


      Flash

      Sony NEX-3N has a built-in flash. Nikon Df has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec on Nikon Df and 1/160 sec on Sony NEX-3N.

      Physical Parameters

      Nikon Df body has dimensions of 144 x 110 x 67 mm (5.67 x 4.33 x 2.64") and Sony NEX-3N body has dimensions of 110 x 62 x 35 mm (4.33 x 2.44 x 1.38"). Nikon Df weighs 760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz) and Sony NEX-3N weighs 269 g (0.59 lb / 9.49 oz).

      Nikon Df

      Sony NEX-3N

      144 mm

      110 mm

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      110 mm

      62 mm

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      110 mm

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      62 mm

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      67 mm

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      35 mm

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      Size comparisons of Nikon Df and Sony NEX-3N

      Nikon Df and Sony NEX-3N for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Nikon Df

      Sony NEX-3N

      GOOD
      84
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      70
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Nikon Df

      Sony NEX-3N

      GOOD
      73
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   39 Focus Points
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.5 fps
      •   Long Battery Life - 1400 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      56
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 480 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Nikon Df

      Sony NEX-3N

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   39 Focus Points
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.5 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Long Battery Life - 1400 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      55
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 480 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Nikon Df

      Sony NEX-3N

      GOOD
      80
      •   Large Sensor
      •   39 Focus Points
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Nikon Df

      Sony NEX-3N

      GOOD
      81
      •   Large Sensor
      •   39 Focus Points
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz)
      GOOD
      82
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 269 g (0.59 lb / 9.49 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Nikon Df

      Sony NEX-3N

      GOOD
      81
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz)
      •   Long Battery Life - 1400 shots
      GOOD
      83
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 269 g (0.59 lb / 9.49 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 480 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Nikon Df and Sony NEX-3N and give them scores of 65 and 57 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Nikon Df

      Sony NEX-3N

      OVERALL
      65
      OVERALL
      57

      Sensor

      Nikon Df

      Sony NEX-3N

      GOOD
      74
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   High DxO Overall Score - 89
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16.1 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 74

      Photo

      Nikon Df

      Sony NEX-3N

      AVERAGE
      60
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.5 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      POOR
      49
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Video

      Nikon Df

      Sony NEX-3N

      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization
      BAD
      16
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit

      Focusing

      Nikon Df

      Sony NEX-3N

      GOOD
      83
      •   -1 EV Min AF Detection
      •   39 Focus Points
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      60
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Nikon Df

      Sony NEX-3N

      GOOD
      73
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      AVERAGE
      62
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Connectivity

      Nikon Df

      Sony NEX-3N

      AVERAGE
      57
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Nikon Df

      Sony NEX-3N

      GOOD
      73
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz)
      •   Long Battery Life - 1400 shots
      POOR
      44
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 269 g (0.59 lb / 9.49 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 480 shots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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