• APS-C 365.0mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Sony NEX-C3 advantages over Pentax K-5 IIs

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $1200 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 73 mm
    Thinner
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Pentax K-5 IIs advantages over Sony NEX-C3

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Fast startup
    ~0.60 vs 1.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,208 vs 1,083 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.1 vs 12.2 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 740 vs 400 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.23 vs 0.43 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.7 fps vs 5.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    28 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Very small body, refined build. Large sensor for good light gathering. Various low-light shooting modes to improve results. HD video mode with real-time autofocus.

  • Menu-driven interface is sometimes confusing, making quickly finding what you want difficult. Camera may be too small for some.

  • Noticeably better sharpness than standard K-5 II; Compact yet control-rich body packs in the features; Updated autofocus system focuses in near-darkness; Fully weather-sealed; Very good dynamic range; In-body image stabilization; Dual-axis level with horizon correction.

  • Prone to moire, aliasing, and false color artifacts; Can seem intimidating at first; Fewer autofocus points than competitors; Doesn't take advantage of high-speed UHS-I flash cards; Movie feature set is very dated and file sizes huge.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A35

Sony NEX-C3
Sony A35
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Pentax K-5 IIs
Sony A35
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-C3
Sony NEX-5N
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Shoots 1080p video
Pentax K-5 IIs
Sony NEX-5N
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Samsung NX200

Sony NEX-C3
Samsung NX200
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • More pixels
Pentax K-5 IIs
Samsung NX200
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony A37

Sony NEX-C3
Sony A37
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Thinner
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Pentax K-5 IIs
Sony A37
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-C3
Sony NEX-5R
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Pentax K-5 IIs
Sony NEX-5R
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
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