Mirrorless cameras fall into a tricky pricing valley. At $600, which is a common MSRP, they're in direct competition with starter DSLRs, which remain the best kind of camera to buy if you're seriously learning photography. But they're also feeling pressure from the low end—sure, photos taken with APS-C sensors look great when they're blown up, but for most web uses they end up being overkill. The fact remains, though, that the right mirrorless camera can produce slick images, and the Sony NEX-F3 does just that. Mario Aguilar reviewed it last June and found a lot to like:
The NEX-F3 takes lovely photos, even in tricky situations. The camera is fast, responsive, and, with some tinkering, a more powerful shooter than its competitors. Interchangeable lenses and compatibility with a digital viewfinder will appeal to an aspiring photographer with plans to eventually step up to a DSLR.
Today, Amazon's Gold Box deal knocks the well-reviewed Sony NEX-F3 with a kit lens down to $370, which is a good deal, and the right price for this camera. Before yesterday, it was $500. Check out some sample shots here, then circle back to see whether a $130 price drop is enough to get you to pull the trigger. [Amazon via The Verge]
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Top Deals
• Sony NEX-F3 Mirrorless Camera + Kit Lens ($370) | Amazon | Originally $500
• Nest Thermostat ($180) | Amazon via Fatwallet | Originally $200
Accessories
• 12-Foot HDMI Cable ($4) | Dealfisher via Reddit | Originally $10
• Ion iCade Controller for iPhone/iPad ($15) | Groupon via Edealinfo | Originally $50
• Logitech G105 Gaming Keyboard (with MW3 Decals) ($28) | Amazon via Fatwallet | Originally $50
• 2TB Seagate External HD ($80) | Newegg via Ben's Bargains | Originally $100
• Netgear AC1750 Dual Band Router ($160) | Amazon via 9to5Toys | Originally $200
Miscellaneous
• Infectious Disease Balls ($1) | Thinkgeek via Fatwallet | Originally $5 | Use coupon code FIREFLOWER for free shipping over $25
• Crayola 64Ct Markers ($10) | Amazon via Reddit | Originally $20
• Refillable Kcup ($18) | Amazon via Reddit | Originally $25
• Panniers ($51) | Amazon via Ben's Bargains | Originally $80
• Ceton InfiniTV 4 Quad-tuner Card for Watching Digital Cable TV on the PC ($170) | Newegg via Fatwallet | Originally $200
Apple
• 13" rMBP + 512GB SSD, 8GB RAM ($1850) | Mac Mall via Dealzon | Originally $2200
Audio
• Panasonic Bluetooth Speaker ($33) | Amazon via Edealinfo | Originally $50
• Jawbone Big Jambox ($240) | Amazon via Fatwallet | Originally $300
• Sony MDR-V7506 ($82) | Amazon via Reddit | Originally $100
Gaming
• PS3 250GB Bundle w/ Epic Mickey, Motion Controller, Eye Camera ($300) | Target via Dealzon | Originally $350
• Torchlight ($5) | Amazon via Fatwallet | Originally $20
• Sacred Citadel Pre-Order ($10.8) | Green Man Gaming via Dealzon | Originally $15 | Use coupon code GMG20-FDSCL-AQQXD
• Grand Theft Auto IV ($15) | Best Buy via Ben's Bargains | Originally $30
• Dark Souls: Prepare To Die ($15) | Amazon via Gamingaholic | Originally $40
• Borderlands 2 ($20.38) | Gamers Gate via Dealzon | Originally $45
• Far Cry 3 ($30) | Amazon via Ben's Bargains | Originally $60
• Turtle Beach X31 ($35) | Dealfisher via Reddit | Originally $50
Physical Media
• Fantastic Four Volume 1 Marvel Omnibus ($40) | Amazon via Reddit | Originally $50
• The Complete Red vs. Blue ($60) | Amazon via Fatwallet | Originally $100
Digital Media
Nope.
Clothing
• FiveFingers Bikila Running Shoes ($40) | 6PM via Ben's Bargains | Originally $55
• Kelty Redwing 44 Pack - 2012 Closeout ($71) | REI via Fatwallet | Originally $100 | You can save a little extra if you're a member
• 30% off J. Crew Sale| J. Crew via Reddit | Use coupon code SUNSHINE
• Some Non-Hideous Timex Watches | Woot via Reddit
• 40% Off Gap | Gap via Reddit | Use coupon code GAPEGG
Dumb TV → Smart TV
• Slingbox SOLO ($85) | TigerDirect via Edealinfo | Originally $110
• PS3 250GB Bundle w/ Epic Mickey, Motion Controller, Eye Camera ($300) | Target via Dealzon | Originally $350
Laptops
Not today.
Desktops
Nothing here.
Tablets
• Asus Transformer TF300 ($260) | 1SaleaDay via Ben's Bargains | Originally $350
Another Reminder To Never Buy Tablets On Contract
AT&T announced today that it's going to start carrying the Kindle Fire 8.9. Which is great and all, even though the tablet already used the AT&T network. But the real story is that they're going to start selling the Kindle Fire on-contract for $250—which is a solid $150 less than you can get it from Amazon. Sure, seems like a deal, especially if you were committed to using AT&T LTE for two years. But how many people buy a tablet on contract and then never take it out of the range of their home wifi network? So stay away—you'll end up paying way more than you would just buying it directly from Amazon. [AT&T]
Screens
• 19" 1600x900 AOC Monitor ($80) | Best Buy via 9to5Toys | Originally $100
• Optoma HD20 ($550) | Woot via Woot | Originally $700
The Cheap Samsung Galaxy S3 Floodgates Have Opened
Yes, there is a Galaxy S4 on the way. No, we don't know the release date yet. Yes, the upfront price of a handset is nothing compared to the length and cost of the contract. Yes, AT&T officially dropped the price of a Galaxy S3 to $100 on contract this morning. Regardless: there are a lot of folks out there coveting a Galaxy S3, and today, Amazon Wireless has them for cheap. On Verizon and Sprint they're only $10 with a 2-year contract. The Galaxy S3 remains $80 for AT&T.
• Galaxy S3 16GB [Sprint] ($10)
• Galaxy S3 16GB [Verizon] ($10)
• Galaxy S3 16GB [AT&T] ($80)
Camera
Bare Drives
• 1TB Western Digital Blue Internal HD ($65) | Newegg via Storageaholic | Originally $85 | Use coupon code EMCXTVL32
• 256GB Plextor Xtreme SSD ($200) | Newegg via Storageaholic | Originally $250
Apps
iOS
• Alphadia 2 ($1) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $3
iPad Only
• ProCut X ($0) | iTunes via 9to5Toys | Originally $25 | Requires Mac running Final Cut Pro X
• Roads of Rome HD ($1) | iTunes via Appshopper | Originally $4
Android
• Beautiful Widgets ($1.69) | Google Play via Appsaholic | Originally $3
• 6-4-3 Baseball Scorecard ($8) | Google Play via Appsaholic | Originally $10
Mac
• Super Hexagon ($1) | Super Hexagon | Originally $3
Windows
• Super Hexagon ($1) | Super Hexagon | Originally $3
Hobomodo
• 8x10 Print ($0) | Walgreens via Reddit | Originally $1 | Try coupon code MULTIPICFREE
A note on Dealzmodo: We're professional shoppers. We wade through virtual mall after cyber storefront to figure out what's actually a bargain. Yes, we make money if you end up buying. That's capitalism, but we're absolutely looking out for your best interest. Read this if you want to know more.