• APS-C 365.0mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha NEX-C3
  • Sony Alpha SLT-A57
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: NEX-C3 A57
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact System Camera SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $599.99 $799.99
Street Price: $559.47  
Date Available: 2011-08-01 2012-04-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 17.5 oz (497 g)
includes batteries, kit lens 		29.2 oz (828 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 4.3 x 2.4 x 1.3 in.
(110 x 60 x 33 mm) 		5.2 x 3.8 x 3.2 in.
(132 x 98 x 81 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Sony
Effective Megapixels: 16.2 16.1
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 365.04mm2 (23.40mm x 15.60mm) 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.76 microns 4.82 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 73 75
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.7 23.4
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.2 13.0
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,083 785
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 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) 		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),
5536 x 2160 (12.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
3872 x 2160 (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, RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG JPEG, MPO, RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 5.5 10.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (30)
640x480 (30) 		1920x1080 (60p(PS)/​60i(FX)/​60i(FH)/​24p(FX)/​24p(FH))
1440x1080 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: MP4 AVCHD 2.0/MP4 (Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC)
Composite Video Out: No No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony E Sony Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens: Sony SEL1855 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 3.06x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 34 (T) f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 36 (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity 		25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 49.0mm 55.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
Digital Zoom: Yes
Digital Zoom Values:   Up to 2x Precision, Up to 2x Clear Image Zoom, 1.4x (8.4MP) or 2.0x (4MP) Smart Zoom
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect: 25-area, Center, Flexible Spot (11x17 areas); with Face Detection Phase Detection: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide (auto, 15 points), Zone, Spot, Local; Enhanced Object Tracking
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: (Optional FDA-SV1 optical viewfinder available with 16mm FOV) EVF type; 1.1cm (0.43") 1.44M/1.25M-dot LCD (480K/418K-dot time-multiplexed RGB), 100% coverage, 1.04x/0.97x magnification, 23.1/25.2mm eyepoint, -4 to +3 diopter
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a  
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):   0.69x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):   1.04x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 921,600 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen:
Selfie Screen:
Max Playback Zoom: 11.8x 13.6x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   16000
Minimum ISO (native):   100
ISO Settings: Auto, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800. Auto (100-3200), 100 - 16000; (Multi-frame NR mode up to ISO 25600)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500 – 9900K with 19-step Magenta/Green compensation) Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (4), Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500-9900K with 15-step Magenta/Green compensation)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 49-zone Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot 1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro,Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night View, Hand-held Twilight (6 shot layering), 2D/3D Sweep Panorama Portrait, SportsAction, Macro, Landscape, Sunset, Night scene, Hand-held Twilight (6 shot layering), Night Portrait; Sweep Panorama, 3D Sweep Panorama, Auto Portrait Framing, Picture Effect (Posterization (Color, B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R,G,B,Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera, Soft High-key, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Monochrome, Miniature), Dynamic Range Optimizer (Off/Auto/Level),
Self Timer: 2, 10; 3 or 5 after 10 sec seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No Yes
Flash Modes: Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear sync., Slow sync., Red-eye reduction Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 7.0 m / 23.0 ft. 10.0 m / 32.8 ft.
Flash Range Description: Bundled flash has GN of 7m/ISO 100 Lens dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Smart Accessory Terminal (flash is detachable) Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MP4 AVCHD 2.0/MP4 (Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC)
Included Memory:    
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 Yes
Remote Control Type:   Optional Wireless or Wired
Connections (extended): Mini HDMI (Type C), Mic via Smart Accessory Terminal Type-C Mini HDMI (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, 3.5mm External Stereo Micophone Jack, DC Input
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 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? Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 5.5 10.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 10 25
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): 0.43 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.42 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.226 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.71 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.114 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes): Multi-area full AF lag: 0.456s  
Startup Time: 1.2 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 0.8 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 2.6 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 400 shots  
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):   550 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FW50 Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Software CD-ROM (includes Picture Motion Browser, Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR) Sony Software CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.3 +) Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.3 +)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 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. SteadyShot INSIDE Sensor-shift Image Stabilization (up to 4.5 EV correction), Full HD 1080p60 Video, Up to 12 fps Burst Mode (Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE), Enhanced Object Tracking AF, 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom, New Auto Portrait Framing, Tilting 921K-dot LCD, 1.44M-dot EVF.