Sony · Alpha

Alpha NEX-C3

Released June 2011

Sony's NEX-C3 is a small E-mount mirrorless camera with a 16.2 MP APS-C sensor, tilting screen, manual-focus peaking and 720p video.

Type: Mirrorless
Sensor: APS-C
Megapixels: 16.2
Lens: Sony E-mount
Video: 1280 × 720 at 30 fps
Body weight: 225 g

What reviewers say

PhotographyBlog and CameraLabs praised low-light image quality, compact construction and improved customisation, while criticising the fiddly flash connector. PhotographyBlog found the zoom-kit images softer than expected and still favoured the camera for beginners. CameraLabs was more positive about its use by enthusiasts, though it disliked sacrificing direct shooting-mode access when configuring the custom menu.

From photographyblog.com, cameralabs.com, cameralabs.com and cameralabs.com

Specifications

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Image and sensor

Camera type: Mirrorless
Sensor format: APS-C
Sensor type: Exmor APS HD CMOS
Sensor dimensions: 23.5 × 15.6 mm
Effective resolution: 16.2 MP
Largest image: 4912 × 3264
RAW recording: Yes
Standard ISO range: 200–12800
Sensor detail: 16.5 million total pixels; charge-protection coating and electromagnetic vibration of the optical low-pass filter for dust reduction
Image formats: JPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; ARW 2.2; MPO for 3D Sweep Panorama
ISO detail: Standard ISO 200–12800; Auto ISO 200–1600
Image processor: BIONZ

Lens and shooting

Lens mount: Sony E-mount
Stabilisation: Optical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst: 5.5 fps
Lens detail: Japanese launch kits contain E 18–55mm F3.5–5.6 OSS, alone or with E 16mm F2.8. Updated LA-EA1 permits autofocus with SAM/SSM A-mount lenses under Sony's stated conditions.
Autofocus: Contrast detection; 25-point multipoint, centre or flexible-spot areas; single or continuous autofocus, direct manual focus and manual focus; focus peaking
Shutter: Electronically controlled vertical-traverse focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/4000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second
Burst detail: Approximately 5.5 fps in Speed Priority Continuous, with focus and exposure fixed at the first frame; approximately 2.5 fps normal continuous advance
Stabilisation detail: No sensor-shift stabilisation (PhotographyBlog and CameraLabs); optical correction requires a compatible OSS lens
Flash: Supplied detachable flash; guide number 7 at ISO 100 in metres; approximately four-second recycle time; optional HVL-F20S uses the proprietary accessory terminal
Exposure controls: Intelligent Auto, program, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual; Photo Creativity, Picture Effects, 2D/3D Sweep Panorama, DRO, Auto HDR and multi-exposure low-light modes

Video

Highest video resolution: 1280 × 720 at 30 fps
Video detail: MP4 MPEG-4 Visual; 1280 × 720 at 30p in Fine or Standard quality, or 640 × 480 at 30p; no Full HD recording
Audio: Built-in stereo microphone; MPEG-4 AAC-LC two-channel audio

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: None
Screen size: 3″
Screen dots: 921,600
Touchscreen: No
Tilting screen: Yes
Display detail: TruBlack wide TFT; tilts approximately 80° up and 45° down; no touchscreen (CameraLabs)
Viewfinder detail: No built-in viewfinder (PhotographyBlog and CameraLabs)

Connections and design

Battery life (maker's claim): 400 photographs
Body weight: 225 g
Release detail: Sony Japan specifies 24 June 2011 for NEX-C3K and NEX-C3D kits. This is the NEX-C3, separate from the original NEX-3 and later F3 or 3N.
Recording media: Memory Stick PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Battery life detail: NP-FW50; approximately 400 photographs under CIPA conditions
Charging: Supplied BC-VW1 external charger
Dimensions: Approximately 109.6 × 60.0 × 33.0 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions; 25.9 mm thinnest section excludes grip and mount
Weight detail: Approximately 225 g camera only; 283 g including battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo; lens excluded. CameraLabs incorrectly labels 225 g as including battery and card; Sony's launch table is used here.
Materials: Aluminium top cover
Colours: Black, silver or pink
In the box: NP-FW50 battery, BC-VW1 charger, USB cable, detachable flash and case, lens cap, shoulder strap and software CD; lenses depend on kit

Pros and cons

Pros

APS-C sensor with RAW recording
Tilting screen and focus peaking
Customisable controls and supplied flash

Cons

No built-in viewfinder or sensor stabilisation
Maximum video resolution is 720p

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyAlpha NEX-5N	Mirrorless	APS-C	16.1	Sony E-mount	1920 × 1080 at 60 fps	210 g	Sept 2011
SonyAlpha NEX-3	Mirrorless	APS-C	14.2	Sony E-mount	1280 × 720 at 30 fps	239 g	Jun 2010
SonyAlpha NEX-5	Mirrorless	APS-C	14.2	Sony E-mount	1920 × 1080	229 g	Jun 2010

Sources

Photo: sony.jp

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