• APS-C 365.0mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

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Differences

Sony NEX-C3 advantages over Sony A3000

  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Fast startup
    ~1.20 vs 2.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.5 fps vs 3.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Sony A3000 advantages over Sony NEX-C3

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.28 vs 0.43 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 16.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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

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Buy the Sony A3000
Kit with 18-55mm Lens
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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.

  • Read our Sony NEX-C3 Review

  • Absolutely incredible value; Includes a stabilized kit lens; More versatile than a fixed-lens bridge camera; Comfortable body with good ergonomics; Great image quality; Good autofocus performance; Decent battery life.

  • Feels a bit plasticky; Slow burst shooting with limited buffer; Sluggish to power on or switch modes; Low-res EVF and LCD monitor; Can't review images using EVF; No video output; Weak flash; Battery charges in-camera.

  • Read our Sony A3000 Review

The Competition

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

Compare Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony NEX-5N

Sony A3000
Sony NEX-5N
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Thinner

Compare Sony A3000 vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Samsung NX200

Sony NEX-C3
Samsung NX200
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • More pixels

Compare Sony NEX-C3 vs Samsung NX200

Sony A3000
Samsung NX200
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Thinner
  • HDMI out

Compare Sony A3000 vs Samsung NX200

Compared to Pentax K-01

Sony NEX-C3
Pentax K-01
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Sony NEX-C3 vs Pentax K-01

Sony A3000
Pentax K-01
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony A3000 vs Pentax K-01

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

Compare Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony NEX-5R

Sony A3000
Sony NEX-5R
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony A3000 vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Sigma sd Quattro

Sony NEX-C3
Sigma sd Quattro
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-C3 vs Sigma sd Quattro

Sony A3000
Sigma sd Quattro
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • HDMI out

Compare Sony A3000 vs Sigma sd Quattro

Compare Other Cameras?