Request a product

Sony Alpha NEX-3 vs Sony Alpha NEX-C3

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyAlpha NEX-3SonyAlpha NEX-C3
Overview
ReleasedJune 2010June 2011
Image and sensor
Camera typeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor formatAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor typeExmor APS HD CMOSExmor APS HD CMOS
Sensor dimensions23.4 × 15.6 mm23.5 × 15.6 mm
Effective resolution14.2 MP16.2 MP
Largest image4592 × 30564912 × 3264
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range200–12800200–12800
Sensor detailCharge-protection coating and electromagnetic vibration of the optical low-pass filter for dust reduction16.5 million total pixels; charge-protection coating and electromagnetic vibration of the optical low-pass filter for dust reduction
Image formatsJPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; Sony's Japanese launch table specifies ARW 2.2JPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; ARW 2.2; MPO for 3D Sweep Panorama
ISO detailStandard ISO 200–12800; Auto ISO 200–1600Standard ISO 200–12800; Auto ISO 200–1600
Image processorBIONZBIONZ
Lens and shooting
Lens mountSony E-mountSony E-mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst7 fps5.5 fps
Lens detailLaunch kits contain E 16mm F2.8 and/or E 18–55mm F3.5–5.6 OSS. The original LA-EA1 adapter supports A-mount lenses with manual focusing at launch; later firmware is separate.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.
AutofocusContrast detection; 25-point multipoint, centre or flexible-spot areas; single or continuous autofocus, direct manual focus and manual focusContrast detection; 25-point multipoint, centre or flexible-spot areas; single or continuous autofocus, direct manual focus and manual focus; focus peaking
ShutterElectronically controlled vertical-traverse focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/4000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/160 secondElectronically controlled vertical-traverse focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/4000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second
Burst detailApproximately 7 fps in Speed Priority Continuous, with focus and exposure fixed at the first frame; approximately 2.3 fps normal continuous advanceApproximately 5.5 fps in Speed Priority Continuous, with focus and exposure fixed at the first frame; approximately 2.5 fps normal continuous advance
Stabilisation detailNo sensor-shift stabilisation (PhotographyBlog); optical correction requires a compatible OSS lens. The 18–55mm kit lens has OSS, while the 16mm does not.No sensor-shift stabilisation (PhotographyBlog and CameraLabs); optical correction requires a compatible OSS lens
FlashSupplied detachable flash; guide number 7 at ISO 100 in metres; approximately four-second recycle timeSupplied detachable flash; guide number 7 at ISO 100 in metres; approximately four-second recycle time; optional HVL-F20S uses the proprietary accessory terminal
Exposure controlsIntelligent Auto, program, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual; Sweep Panorama, DRO, three-exposure Auto HDR and six-exposure Hand-held Twilight or Anti Motion BlurIntelligent 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 resolution1280 × 720 at 30 fps1280 × 720 at 30 fps
Video detailMP4 with MPEG-4 Visual compression; 1280 × 720 at 30p in Fine or Standard quality, or 640 × 480 at 30p. These are the NEX-3 figures in Sony's Japanese announcement; AVCHD Full HD belongs to the NEX-5.MP4 MPEG-4 Visual; 1280 × 720 at 30p in Fine or Standard quality, or 640 × 480 at 30p; no Full HD recording
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphone; MPEG-4 AAC-LC audio; optional ECM-SST1 accessory microphoneBuilt-in stereo microphone; MPEG-4 AAC-LC two-channel audio
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderNoneNone
Screen size3″3″
Screen dots921,600921,600
TouchscreenNoNo
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailTruBlack wide TFT; tilts approximately 80° up and 45° down; no touchscreen (PhotographyBlog)TruBlack wide TFT; tilts approximately 80° up and 45° down; no touchscreen (CameraLabs)
Viewfinder detailNo built-in viewfinder (PhotographyBlog); optional FDA-SV1 optical finder is designed for the E 16mm lensNo built-in viewfinder (PhotographyBlog and CameraLabs)
Connections and design
Battery life (maker's claim)330 photographs400 photographs
Body weight239 g225 g
Release detailSony Japan specifies 10 June 2010 for NEX-3A, NEX-3K and NEX-3D kits. This is the original NEX-3, not the NEX-C3, F3 or 3N.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 mediaMemory Stick PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXCMemory Stick PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Battery life detailNP-FW50; approximately 330 photographs under CIPA conditionsNP-FW50; approximately 400 photographs under CIPA conditions
ChargingSupplied BC-VW1 external chargerSupplied BC-VW1 external charger
DimensionsApproximately 117.2 × 62.6 × 33.4 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions; Sony's separate 25.4 mm thinnest-section figure excludes the grip and mountApproximately 109.6 × 60.0 × 33.0 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions; 25.9 mm thinnest section excludes grip and mount
Weight detailApproximately 239 g camera only; 297 g including battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo; lens excludedApproximately 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
ColoursBlack, red or white; silver was a Sony Style exclusive in JapanBlack, silver or pink
In the boxNP-FW50 battery, BC-VW1 charger, USB cable, detachable flash and case, shoulder strap, lens cap and software CD; lenses depend on kitNP-FW50 battery, BC-VW1 charger, USB cable, detachable flash and case, lens cap, shoulder strap and software CD; lenses depend on kit

More comparisons