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Sony Alpha NEX-C3 vs Sony Alpha NEX-F3

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyAlpha NEX-C3SonyAlpha NEX-F3
Overview
ReleasedJune 2011June 2012
Image and sensor
Camera typeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor formatAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor typeExmor APS HD CMOSExmor APS HD CMOS
Sensor dimensions23.5 × 15.6 mm23.5 × 15.6 mm
Effective resolution16.2 MP16.1 MP
Largest image4912 × 32644912 × 3264
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range200–12800200–16000
Sensor detail16.5 million total pixels; charge-protection coating and electromagnetic vibration of the optical low-pass filter for dust reduction16.5 million total pixels; charge-protection coating and ultrasonic dust reduction
Image formatsJPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; ARW 2.2; MPO for 3D Sweep PanoramaJPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; ARW 2.3; MPO for 3D Sweep Panorama
ISO detailStandard ISO 200–12800; Auto ISO 200–1600Standard ISO 200–16000; Auto ISO 200–3200; movie sensitivity ISO 200–3200
Image processorBIONZBIONZ
Lens and shooting
Lens mountSony E-mountSony E-mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst5.5 fps5.5 fps
Lens detailJapanese 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.E-mount; Japanese NEX-F3K uses E 18–55mm F3.5–5.6 OSS; NEX-F3Y adds E 55–210mm F4.5–6.3 OSS.
AutofocusContrast detection; 25-point multipoint, centre or flexible-spot areas; single or continuous autofocus, direct manual focus and manual focus; focus peakingContrast detection with 25 points; single and continuous AF, direct manual focus, object tracking and focus peaking
ShutterElectronically controlled vertical-traverse focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/4000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/160 secondFocal-plane shutter with electronic first curtain; 30 seconds to 1/4000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second
Burst detailApproximately 5.5 fps in Speed Priority Continuous, with focus and exposure fixed at the first frame; approximately 2.5 fps normal continuous advanceApproximately 5.5 fps Speed Priority Continuous; approximately 2.5 fps normal advance. Maker buffers: 18 fine JPEG, 30 standard JPEG, 7 RAW or 6 RAW+JPEG images, depending on conditions and card.
Stabilisation detailNo sensor-shift stabilisation (PhotographyBlog and CameraLabs); optical correction requires a compatible OSS lensNo sensor-shift stabilisation; optical correction requires a compatible OSS lens
FlashSupplied detachable flash; guide number 7 at ISO 100 in metres; approximately four-second recycle time; optional HVL-F20S uses the proprietary accessory terminalBuilt-in flash; guide number 6 expressed at ISO 100 in metres; approximately three-second recycle time. Optional HVL-F20S uses Smart Accessory Terminal 2.
Exposure controlsIntelligent 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 fps1920 × 1080 at 30 fps
Video detailMP4 MPEG-4 Visual; 1280 × 720 at 30p in Fine or Standard quality, or 640 × 480 at 30p; no Full HD recordingJapanese model records Full HD 60i from 30 fps sensor output, or 24p, up to 24 Mbps. The main frame rate records sensor frames, not interlaced fields. PhotographyBlog lists PAL 50i/25p. MP4 offers 1440 × 1080 or VGA at 30 fps; no Full HD 60p mode.
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphone; MPEG-4 AAC-LC two-channel audioBuilt-in stereo microphones and mono speaker; Dolby Digital or AAC-LC 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 (CameraLabs)Non-touch LCD; tilts approximately 180° up and 13° down
Viewfinder detailNo built-in viewfinder (PhotographyBlog and CameraLabs)No built-in finder; optional FDA-EV1S electronic finder
Connections and design
Battery life (maker's claim)400 photographs470 photographs
Body weight225 g255 g
Release detailSony 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.Sony Japan specifies 15 June 2012 for NEX-F3K and NEX-F3Y kits.
Recording mediaMemory Stick PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXCMemory Stick PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Ports–USB 2.0 Hi-Speed via Micro USB Type B; Mini HDMI Type C; Smart Accessory Terminal 2; no microphone socket
Battery life detailNP-FW50; approximately 400 photographs under CIPA conditionsNP-FW50; approximately 470 CIPA photographs
ChargingSupplied BC-VW1 external chargerIn-camera Micro USB charging; supplied AC-UB10; optional AC-PW20 power supply
DimensionsApproximately 109.6 × 60.0 × 33.0 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions; 25.9 mm thinnest section excludes grip and mountApproximately 117.3 × 66.6 × 41.3 mm (width × height × depth)
Weight detailApproximately 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.Approximately 255 g body only; 314 g with battery and memory card; lens excluded
MaterialsAluminium top cover–
ColoursBlack, silver or pinkBlack, pink and white Japanese kits
In the boxNP-FW50 battery, BC-VW1 charger, USB cable, detachable flash and case, lens cap, shoulder strap and software CD; lenses depend on kitAC-UB10 AC adapter, NP-FW50 battery, shoulder strap, Micro USB cable and software CD; lenses depend on kit

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