• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.0 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 365.0mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  •  
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot A590 IS
  • Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: A590 IS NEX-C3
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $179.99 $599.99
Street Price: $219.00 $559.47
Date Available: 2008-03-30 2011-08-01
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 7.8 oz (221 g)
includes batteries
17.5 oz (497 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 3.7 x 2.6 x 1.6 in.
(94 x 66 x 41 mm)
4.3 x 2.4 x 1.3 in.
(110 x 60 x 33 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 8.0 16.2
Sensor Format: 1/2.5 inch APS-C
Sensor size: 24.7104mm2 (5.76mm x 4.29mm) 365.04mm2 (23.40mm x 15.60mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.76 microns 4.76 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 16:9 3:2, 16:9
Color Filter Type:   RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:   Fixed
Self-Cleaning: No Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:   73
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):   22.7
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):   12.2
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):   1,083
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
3264 x 1832 (6.0 MP, 16:9),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
4912 x 3264 (16.0 MP, 3:2),
4912 x 2760 (13.6 MP, 16:9),
3568 x 2368 (8.4 MP, Other),
3568 x 2000 (7.1 MP, 16:9),
2448 x 1624 (4.0 MP, Other),
2448 x 1376 (3.4 MP, 16:9),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other),
2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other),
7152 x 1080 (7.7 MP, Other),
4912 x 1080 (5.3 MP, Other),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2) JPEG, RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 1.0 5.5
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 640x480 (20)
320x240 (30)
160x120 (15)
1280x720 (30)
640x480 (30)
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) MP4
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a Sony E
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens (7 elements in 5 groups, 2 aspherical) Sony SEL1855 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 35 - 140mm 27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual): 5.8 - 23.2mm 18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio: 4.00x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/2.6 (wide) / f/5.5 (tele) - f/8.0 f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 34 (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 45 cm to Infinity
17.7 in to Infinity
25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 5 - 45 cm
2.0 - 17.7 in
 
Filter Thread: n/a 49.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes
Digital Zoom Values: up to 4x  
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9- or 1-point Contrast Detect with Face Detect Contrast Detect: 25-area, Center, Flexible Spot (11x17 areas); with Face Detection
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD LCD
Viewfinder Type: Real-image optical zoom (Optional FDA-SV1 optical viewfinder available with 16mm FOV)
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.5 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 115,000 dots 921,600 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 11.8x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):    
Minimum ISO (native):    
ISO Settings: Auto, High ISO Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 Auto, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800.
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500 – 9900K with 19-step Magenta/Green compensation)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/2000 - 15 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: No Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot Metering (frame is fixed to the center), Face Detect 49-zone Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Easy mode, Portrait, Landscape, Night Snapshot, Kids & Pets, Indoor, Night Scene, Sunset, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Aquarium Portrait, Landscape, Macro,Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night View, Hand-held Twilight (6 shot layering), 2D/3D Sweep Panorama
Self Timer: 1 to 30 seconds 2, 10; 3 or 5 after 10 sec seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Auto, Flash On, Flash Off Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear sync., Slow sync., Red-eye reduction
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 7.0 m / 23.0 ft.
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 11 ft./3.5m (W), 7.2 ft./2.2m (T) Bundled flash has GN of 7m/ISO 100
Max Flash Sync: 1/500 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a Smart Accessory Terminal (flash is detachable)
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No Yes
Uncompressed Format:   RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) MP4
Included Memory: No memory included  
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: No No
Remote Control Type:    
Connections (extended): DC Input Mini HDMI (Type C), Mic via Smart Accessory Terminal
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.98 0.97
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):   0.94
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):   Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 1.0 5.5
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited 10
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.51 seconds 0.43 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.70 seconds 0.42 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.260 seconds 0.226 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.92 seconds 0.71 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.068 seconds 0.114 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):   Multi-area full AF lag: 0.456s
Startup Time: 1.9 seconds 1.2 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 1.3 seconds 0.8 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 10.5 seconds 2.6 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 450 shots (NiMH AA) 400 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: 2 x AA Proprietary NP-FW50
Usable Battery Types: Alkaline disposable, NiMH rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 2 x AA Alkaline disposables 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): No Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: ZoomBrowser EX / ImageBrowser, PhotoStitch, Drivers Software CD-ROM (includes Picture Motion Browser, Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR)
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.3 +)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Optical Image Stabilization (OIS); Motion Detection technology consolidates motion information for both the camera and the photographic subject and determines whether the subject has moved and what if any adjustments to focus or exposure needs to be made; Hi-ISO Auto function that works together with Motion Detection Technology to reduces the effect of blur in low light shooting situations by automatically changing and balancing the ISO sensitivity along with the shutter speed. 720p HD Video, Picture Effects, Photo Creativity, Hand-held Twilight, Anti Motion Blur, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer, 2D/3D Sweep Panorama, Smile Shutter, 5.5fps Full-res Burst Mode. Available in Silver, Black or Pink.