Sony NEX-C3 Comparison Review
The Sony Alpha NEX-C3 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera that was announced in June 2011 and is equipped with an APS-C sensor. It offers a resolution of 16 megapixel.
Is the Sony NEX-C3 a good camera? The NEX-C3 has a Camera Elo of 1592. This rating puts the NEX-C3 below average of all mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (APS cameras), the NEX-C3 also ranks below average. – Well, the Sony NEX-C3 is more than 9 years old, and there have been many other good digital cameras released since 2011.
| Sony NEX-C3 |
|---|
| Mirrorless system camera |
| Sony E mount lenses |
| 16 MP, APS-C Sensor |
| 720/30p Video |
| ISO 100 - 12 800 |
| Viewfinder optional |
| 3.0 LCD, 920k dots |
| Tilting screen (no touchscreen) |
| 5.5 shutter flaps per second |
| 400 shots per battery charge |
| 110 x 60 x 33 mm, 225 g |
Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.
Body comparison with a credit card
The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size of the Sony NEX-C3 vis-à-vis a credit card. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are presented. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Sony NEX-C3 alongside a set of comparators. If you want to review a camera pair side-by-side, just select a right-side comparator from among the camera models in the table. Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.
| Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life 1 |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch 2 |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony NEX-C3 | 4.3 in | 2.4 in | 1.3 in | 7.9 oz | 400 | n | Jun 2011 | 599 |  | |
| Ricoh GR II | 4.6 in | 2.5 in | 1.4 in | 8.9 oz | 320 | n | Jun 2015 | 699 | | |
| Sony NEX-3N | 4.3 in | 2.4 in | 1.4 in | 9.5 oz | 480 | n | Feb 2013 | 499 | | |
| Sony NEX-5T | 4.4 in | 2.3 in | 1.5 in | 9.7 oz | 330 | n | Aug 2013 | 699 | | |
| Sony NEX-5R | 4.4 in | 2.3 in | 1.5 in | 9.7 oz | 330 | n | Aug 2012 | 749 | | |
| Sony NEX-6 | 4.7 in | 2.6 in | 1.7 in | 12.2 oz | 360 | n | Sep 2012 | 999 | | |
| Sony NEX-F3 | 4.6 in | 2.6 in | 1.7 in | 11.1 oz | 470 | n | May 2012 | 599 | | |
| Sony RX100 | 4.0 in | 2.3 in | 1.4 in | 8.5 oz | 330 | n | Jun 2012 | 649 | | |
| Sony NEX-5N | 4.4 in | 2.3 in | 1.5 in | 9.5 oz | 460 | n | Aug 2011 | 699 | | |
| Sony NEX-3 | 4.6 in | 2.4 in | 1.3 in | 10.5 oz | 330 | n | May 2010 | 599 | | |
| Sony NEX-5 | 4.4 in | 2.3 in | 1.5 in | 10.1 oz | 330 | n | May 2010 | 699 | | |
|
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. (1) Number of images that can be taken on a full battery charge according to the CIPA-standard; (2) Official announcement. |
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The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Sony NEX-C3 was launched in the US market at a price of $599. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.
Check Ebay offers
Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide
The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.
The Sony NEX-C3 features an APS-C sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.5. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Sony NEX-C3 among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.
Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for most cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.
| Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony NEX-C3 | APS-C | 16.0 | 4912 | 3264 | 720/30p | 22.7 | 12.2 | 1083 | 73 | |
| Ricoh GR II | APS-C | 16.1 | 4928 | 3264 | 1080/30p | 23.6 | 13.7 | 1078 | 80 | |
| Sony NEX-3N | APS-C | 16.0 | 4912 | 3264 | 1080/60i | 22.8 | 12.5 | 1067 | 74 | |
| Sony NEX-5T | APS-C | 16.0 | 4912 | 3264 | 1080/60p | 23.6 | 13.0 | 1015 | 78 | |
| Sony NEX-5R | APS-C | 16.0 | 4912 | 3264 | 1080/60i | 23.7 | 13.1 | 910 | 78 | |
| Sony NEX-6 | APS-C | 16.0 | 4912 | 3264 | 1080/60i | 23.7 | 13.1 | 1018 | 78 | |
| Sony NEX-F3 | APS-C | 16.0 | 4912 | 3264 | 1080/60i | 22.7 | 12.3 | 1114 | 73 | |
| Sony RX100 | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 1080/60p | 22.6 | 12.4 | 390 | 66 | |
| Sony NEX-5N | APS-C | 16.0 | 4912 | 3264 | 1080/60i | 23.6 | 12.7 | 1079 | 77 | |
| Sony NEX-3 | APS-C | 14.0 | 4592 | 3056 | 720/30p | 22.1 | 12.0 | 830 | 68 | |
| Sony NEX-5 | APS-C | 14.0 | 4592 | 3056 | 1080/60i | 22.2 | 12.2 | 796 | 69 |
Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The NEX-C3 indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the NEX-C3 can use is 720/30p.
Feature comparison
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The following tables report on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Sony NEX-C3 and comparable cameras.
| Camera Model |
Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) |
Control Panel (yes/no) |
LCD Size (inch) |
LCD Resolution (000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Touch Screen (yes/no) |
Mech Shutter Speed |
Shutter Flaps (1/sec) | Built-in Flash (yes/no) |
Built-in Image Stab |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony NEX-C3 | optional | n | 3.0 | 920 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 5.5 | n | n | |
| Ricoh GR II | optional | n | 3.0 | 1230 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 4.0 | Y | n | |
| Sony NEX-3N | optional | n | 3.0 | 460 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 4.0 | Y | n | |
| Sony NEX-5T | optional | n | 3.0 | 922 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 10.0 | n | n | |
| Sony NEX-5R | optional | n | 3.0 | 920 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 10.0 | n | n | |
| Sony NEX-6 | 2359 | n | 3.0 | 921 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 10.0 | Y | n | |
| Sony NEX-F3 | optional | n | 3.0 | 920 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 5.5 | Y | n | |
| Sony RX100 | none | n | 3.0 | 1229 | fixed | n | 1/2000s | 10.0 | Y | Y | |
| Sony NEX-5N | optional | n | 3.0 | 920 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 10.0 | n | n | |
| Sony NEX-3 | optional | n | 3.0 | 920 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 7.0 | n | n | |
| Sony NEX-5 | optional | n | 3.0 | 920 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 7.0 | n | n |
Connection comparison
For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Sony Alpha NEX-C3 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
| Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Microphone |
Internal Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support | NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony NEX-C3 | Y | stereo | mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| Ricoh GR II | Y | stereo | mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
| Sony NEX-3N | - | stereo | mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| Sony NEX-5T | Y | stereo | mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
| Sony NEX-5R | Y | stereo | mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
| Sony NEX-6 | Y | stereo | mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
| Sony NEX-F3 | Y | stereo | mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| Sony RX100 | - | stereo | mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| Sony NEX-5N | Y | stereo | mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| Sony NEX-3 | Y | stereo | mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| Sony NEX-5 | Y | stereo | mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - |
Expert reviews
While the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the handling experience and imaging performance when actually working with the NEX-C3. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is where reviews by experts come in. The table below summarizes the assessments of some of the best known camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, photographyblog).
| Camera Model |
camera labs |
dp review |
ephoto zine |
imaging resource |
photography blog |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony NEX-C3 | + + | 74/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Jun 2011 | 599 | |
|
| Ricoh GR II | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jun 2015 | 699 | |
|
| Sony NEX-3N | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2013 | 499 | |
|
| Sony NEX-5T | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | Aug 2013 | 699 | |
|
| Sony NEX-5R | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | Aug 2012 | 749 | |
|
| Sony NEX-6 | + + | 78/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2012 | 999 | |
|
| Sony NEX-F3 | .. | 74/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | May 2012 | 599 | |
|
| Sony RX100 | + + | 78/100 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | Jun 2012 | 649 | |
|
| Sony NEX-5N | + + | 79/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2011 | 699 | |
|
| Sony NEX-3 | .. | 70/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | May 2010 | 599 | |
|
| Sony NEX-5 | + + | 71/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | May 2010 | 699 | |
|
| Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. | |||||||||
Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.
Sony NEX-C3 FAQ
Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the NEX-C3.
What type of imaging sensor is used in the NEX-C3?
The camera is build around a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.
Which image processing chip is used to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?
Sony equipped the NEX-C3 with the BIONZ image processor.
What is the ISO sensitivity range of the NEX-C3?
The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12800.
Can the camera be equipped with an optional viewfinder?
Yes, Sony provides the FDA-SV1 as an accessory (here on amazon) that can be mounted on the hotshoe.
Does the camera have a selfie-friendly screen?
Yes, the LCD-screen of the NEX-C3 is flexible and can be turned to be front-facing for capturing selfies.
What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Sony Alpha NEX-C3?
Sony does not publish a shutter rating for the NEX-C3. Yet, shutters in comparable cameras from other manufacturers are said to be good for at least 100 000 actuations. It should be noted, though, that this number represents a Mean Time before Failure. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust an expected shutter life of 100 000 shots over, say, three years, one would have to take about 100 pictures each and every day.
How do I find the shutter count on my Sony NEX-C3?
Sony embeds the number of shutter actuations in image metadata. You can check the number of shots that your NEX-C3 has taken up to now by uploading a recent image to the online shutter count app.
Does the Sony NEX-C3 feature an autofocus assist light?
Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.
What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with flash?
The NEX-C3's flash sync speed is 1/160 sec.
Which battery does the NEX-C3 use?
The camera gets its power from the NP-FW50 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.
Camera to camera comparisons
In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, just use the search menu below. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.
- Canon 1Ds vs Sony NEX-C3
- Canon 250D vs Sony NEX-C3
- Canon 77D vs Sony NEX-C3
- Canon D30 vs Sony NEX-C3
- Canon G5 X vs Sony NEX-C3
- Fujifilm X-A1 vs Sony NEX-C3
- Nikon D300 vs Sony NEX-C3
- Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony NEX-C3
- Panasonic L10 vs Sony NEX-C3
- Panasonic S1R vs Sony NEX-C3
- Ricoh GR II vs Sony NEX-C3
- Sony A6100 vs Sony NEX-C3
| Camera Model | Sony NEX-C3 | |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless system camera | |
| Camera Lens | Sony E mount lenses | |
| Launch Date | June 2011 | |
| Launch Price | USD 599 | |
| Sensor Specs | ||
| Sensor Technology | CMOS | |
| Sensor Format | APS-C Sensor | |
| Sensor Size | 23.4 x 15.6 mm | |
| Sensor Area | 365 mm2 | |
| Sensor Diagonal | 28.1 mm | |
| Crop Factor | 1.5x | |
| Sensor Resolution | 16 Megapixels | |
| Image Resolution | 4 912 x 3 264 pixels | |
| Pixel Pitch | 4.78 μm | |
| Pixel Density | 4.39 MP/cm2 | |
| Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | |
| Movie Capability | 720/30p Video | |
| ISO Setting | 100 - 12 800 ISO | |
| Image Processor | BIONZ | |
| DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 73 | |
| DXO Color Depth (bits) | 22.7 | |
| DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 12.2 | |
| DXO Low Light (ISO) | 1083 | |
| Screen Specs | ||
| Viewfinder Type | Viewfinder optional | |
| LCD Framing | Live View | |
| LCD Size | 920k dots | |
| LCD Attachment | Tilting screen | |
| Shooting Specs | ||
| Focus System | Contrast-detect AF | |
| Manual Focusing Aid | no Peaking Feature | |
| Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000s | |
| Continuous Shooting | 5.5 shutter flaps/s | |
| Shutter Life Expectancy | 100 000 actuations | |
| Silent Shooting | no E-Shutter | |
| Time Lapse Photography | no Intervalometer | |
| Fill Flash | no On-Board Flash | |
| Storage Medium | MS or SDXC cards | |
| Second Storage Option | Single card slot | |
| UHS card support | no | |
| Connectivity Specs | ||
| External Flash | Hotshoe | |
| USB Connector | USB 2.0 | |
| HDMI Port | mini HDMI | |
| Wifi Support | no Wifi | |
| Body Specs | ||
| Battery Type | NP-FW50 power pack | |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 400 shots per charge | |
| Body Dimensions |
110 x 60 x 33 mm (4.3 x 2.4 x 1.3 in) |
|
| Camera Weight | 225 g (7.9 oz) |
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