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Sony Alpha NEX-C3 vs Sony Alpha NEX-3
Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Camera summary
The Sony Alpha NEX-C3, made by Sony, is a powerful Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera. Announced on Aug. 22, 2011.
See full specifications| Feature | Score |
|---|---|
| Autofocus specs |
2.7 out of 5 stars
|
| Connectivity |
5.0 out of 5 stars
|
| Exposure mode |
2.5 out of 5 stars
|
| Photography features |
3.6 out of 5 stars
|
| Physical |
0.4 out of 5 stars
|
| Average Score |
2.8 out of 5 stars
|
Predecessor
This camera builds on the success of its predecessor, the Sony Alpha NEX-3, with advanced features and improved performance.
Compare this camera to the Sony Alpha NEX-3
Successor
This camera has now been superseeded by the Sony Alpha NEX-F3, which has more advanced features and characteristics, it would also be easier to get, especially new. Take that into account.
Aside from that, consider that you may probably need to update your camera soon and finding accesories could be more difficult compared to its successor. Of course you can expect a lower price for this camera as a compensation.
Compare this camera to its successor Sony Alpha NEX-F3
Sensor
This camera has a CMOS sensor with a 16 Megapixels resolution.
Focus points
This camera has 25 focus points.
Max video resolutions
Expect recording in 1280 x 720 with support for the following formats: MPEG-4.
Connectivity
Built-in wireless connectivity. Support for HDMI, so you can connect it to screens, monitors or any compatible device. Support for USB, transfer files and upgrade your camera's software directly from your computer.
Battery life
The battery of this camera can last up to 400 shots per charge with the included NPFW50 battery. Consider that this value can fluctuate and depends on the mAh of the battery (sometimes generic batteries have more mAh) and also on the usage, the amount of time you use the screen, the flash, etc.
Although this camera may have a decent battery life, its performance is not as great as the most powerful cameras. Always make sure to carry one extra battery, just in case.
Other features
This camera doesn't include a microphone port, which can be a major headache when recording video or interviews, consider it before buying it.
Sony Alpha NEX-3
Camera summary
The Sony Alpha NEX-3, made by Sony, is a powerful Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera. Announced on June 7, 2010.
See full specifications| Feature | Score |
|---|---|
| Autofocus specs |
3.2 out of 5 stars
|
| Connectivity |
5.0 out of 5 stars
|
| Exposure mode |
2.5 out of 5 stars
|
| Photography features |
2.9 out of 5 stars
|
| Physical |
0.3 out of 5 stars
|
| Average Score |
2.8 out of 5 stars
|
Successor
This camera has now been superseeded by the Sony Alpha NEX-C3, which has more advanced features and characteristics, it would also be easier to get, especially new. Take that into account.
Aside from that, consider that you may probably need to update your camera soon and finding accesories could be more difficult compared to its successor. Of course you can expect a lower price for this camera as a compensation.
Compare this camera to its successor Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Sensor
This camera has a CMOS sensor with a 14 Megapixels resolution.
Focus points
This camera has 25 focus points. AF Face detection available, ideal for portraits and selfies.
Max video resolutions
Expect recording in 1280 x 720 with support for the following formats: MPEG-4.
Connectivity
Built-in wireless connectivity. Support for HDMI, so you can connect it to screens, monitors or any compatible device. Support for USB, transfer files and upgrade your camera's software directly from your computer.
Battery life
The battery of this camera can last up to 330 shots per charge with the included NPFW50 battery. Consider that this value can fluctuate and depends on the mAh of the battery (sometimes generic batteries have more mAh) and also on the usage, the amount of time you use the screen, the flash, etc.
Although this camera may have a decent battery life, its performance is not as great as the most powerful cameras. Always make sure to carry one extra battery, just in case.
Other features
This camera doesn't include a microphone port, which can be a major headache when recording video or interviews, consider it before buying it.
Autofocus specs |
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
|---|---|---|
| Af center | No |
No |
| Af continuous | Yes |
Yes |
| Af Contrast Detection | Yes |
Yes |
| Af Face detection | No |
Yes |
| Af live view | Yes |
Yes |
| Af multi area | Yes |
Yes |
| Af phase detection | No |
No |
| Af selective | Yes |
Yes |
| Af single | Yes |
Yes |
| Af touch | No |
No |
| Af tracking | No |
No |
| Number of cross focus points | - | - |
| Number of focus points | 25 | 25 |
Connectivity |
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
| HDMI | Yes |
Yes |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| Wireless connectivity | Eye-Fi Connected | Eye-Fi Connected |
| DXO color depth | 22.7 | 22.1 |
| DXO dynamic range | 12.2 | 12.0 |
| DXO low light ISO | 1083.0 | 830.0 |
| DXO overall score | 73.0 | 68.0 |
Exposure mode |
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
| AF area | No |
No |
| average | No |
No |
| Center weighted | Yes |
Yes |
| Multi segment | Yes |
Yes |
| partial | No |
No |
| spot | Yes |
Yes |
General |
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
| AKA | - | - |
| announced | Aug. 22, 2011 | June 7, 2010 |
| Body type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| brand | Sony | Sony |
| msrp | $311.01 | $399.99 |
| model | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
| Predecessor model | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
| Successor model | Sony Alpha NEX-F3 | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 |
Lense |
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5× | 1.5× |
| Lens mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Manual focus | Yes |
Yes |
| Macro focus range | - | - |
| Number of lenses | 284 | 284 |
Other features |
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
| GPS | - | - |
| Self-timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
| Storage type | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Timelapse recording | No |
No |
Photography features |
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
| AE bracketing | Yes |
No |
| Aperture priority | Yes |
Yes |
| Built-in flash | No |
No |
| Custom white balance | Yes |
Yes |
| Exposure compensation | Yes |
Yes |
| External flash | Yes |
Yes |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
| Flash range | no built-in flash | 12.00 m |
| Image stabilization | No |
No |
| Manual exposure mode | Yes |
Yes |
| Max continuous shooting | 6.0 fps | 7.0 fps |
| Max mechanical shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 | 30 |
| Shutter priority | Yes |
Yes |
| WB bracketing | Yes |
Yes |
Physical |
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
| Battery life | 400 shots | 330 shots |
| Battery model | NPFW50 | NPFW50 |
| Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Crush proof | No |
No |
| Dust proof | No |
No |
| Environmental sealing | No |
No |
| Freeze proof | No |
No |
| Physical dimensions | 110 x 60 x 33mm | 117 x 62 x 33mm |
| Shock proof | No |
No |
| Water proof | No |
No |
| Weight | 225 grs | 297 grs |
Screen |
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
| Live view | Yes |
Yes |
| Screen resolution | 920 | 920 |
| Screen size | - | - |
| Screen type | Tilting | Tilting |
| Touch screen | No |
No |
Sensor |
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
| Max boosted ISO | - | - |
| Max image resolution | 4912 x 3264 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Max native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
| Min native ISO | 100 | 200 |
| RAW support | Yes |
Yes |
| Sensor area | - | - |
| Sensor dimensions | 23.4 x 15.6 mm | 23.4 x 15.6 mm |
| Sensor resolution | 16 | 14 |
| Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Headphone port |
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
| Headphone port | No |
No |
| Max video resolution | 1280 x 720 | 1280 x 720 |
| Microphone port | No |
No |
| Video formats | MPEG-4 | MPEG-4 |
| Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Viewfinder |
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
| viewfinder | - | - |
| viewfinder coverage | - | - |
| viewfinder magnification | - | - |
| viewfinder resolution | no electronic viewfinder | no electronic viewfinder |