• APS-C 365.0mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony NEX-C3 advantages over Sony NEX-5R

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $750 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,083 vs 910 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos

Sony NEX-5R advantages over Sony NEX-C3

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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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Your purchases support this site

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.

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-5

Sony NEX-C3
Sony NEX-5
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
Sony NEX-5R
Sony NEX-5
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $700
  • APS-C

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
Sony NEX-5R
Sony NEX-5N
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Samsung NX200

Sony NEX-C3
Samsung NX200
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • More pixels
Sony NEX-5R
Samsung NX200
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • More pixels

Compared to Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-C3
Canon EOS M
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
Sony NEX-5R
Canon EOS M
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack

Compared to Sony NEX-3N

Sony NEX-C3
Sony NEX-3N
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • More dots on screen
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Sony NEX-5R
Sony NEX-3N
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
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