Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony NEX3 — Which Is Better?
Side by side51 specifications |
Sony · Mirrorless · 16.2 MP · APS-C · Standard HD video
Sony NEX-C3
46
WINNER
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 14.2 MP · APS-C · Standard HD video
Sony NEX3
41
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony NEX-C3 and the Sony NEX3 are both mirrorless cameras sharing the Sony E mount, so any E-mount lens you already own fits either body. The C3 arrived in 2011, a year after the NEX3 in 2010. Where they part ways is body size and weight: the C3 measures 110 x 60 x 33 mm and weighs 225 g, while the NEX3 is larger at 117 x 62 x 33 mm and 297 g. That 72 g saving makes the C3 the easier camera to slip into a small bag or a coat pocket for everyday carrying. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2011 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
June 8, 2011 | May 1, 2010 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 110 x 60 x 33 mm | 117 x 62 x 33 mm |
| Camera weight | 225 g | 297 g |
| Optics | 50/100 | 44/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe NEX-C3 is the better choice when you want more room to crop or make larger prints, with 16.2 megapixels against 14.2 on the NEX3. The extra pixels give you more latitude to tighten a landscape or a group portrait in editing without the image falling apart. For unpredictable subjects the advantage flips: the NEX3 shoots at up to 7 frames per second against 5.5 on the C3, a better chance of catching a child or pet mid-motion. The two share the same 25 autofocus points and the same 200 to 12800 ISO range. Neither has a viewfinder, so both are framed on the rear screen. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.2 MP050 | 14.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4912 x 3264 | 4592 x 3056 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.6 x 23.5 | 15.6 x 23.4 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
5.5 fps045 | 7 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Sony E | Sony E |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Bionz | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
20030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
128003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
20030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
128003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
250300 | 250300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
None | None |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 34/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoBoth cameras record Standard HD video at up to 30 frames per second, which covers casual clips of family events and travel. Neither offers a built-in timelapse mode. A difference worth noting is the recording format: the C3 writes MP4 files while the NEX3 writes MPEG-4. Check that format against your editing software if you shoot clips often. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Standard HD | Standard HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1280 x 720 | 1280 x 720 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 30 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MP4 | MPEG-4 |
| Features | 41/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe C3 and the NEX3 offer the same viewing setup for high, low and self-portrait angles: a 3-inch screen with 920,000 dots that tilts, plus live view. The screen type label differs, LCD on the C3 and TFT LCD on the NEX3, at the same size and dot count. Both support an external flash, useful for indoor portraits, and neither has a built-in unit. Neither includes GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, touch control or weather sealing, so geotagging and wireless transfer are not built in. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9200001150001500000 | 9200001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 24/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryYour existing cards move between these two bodies freely: both accept SD, SDHC and SDXC plus Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo. Each has a single card slot. The C3's rated battery life is higher, at 400 shots against 330 for the NEX3. Both use the same NP-FW50 battery, so spare batteries are interchangeable, and neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-FW50 | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
400 shots1505000 | 330 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
| Meta | ||
| Field provenance | — | [object Object] |
| Score validation | ||
Version ⓘThe iteration or release number of a particular lens model. |
— | camera-spec-score-v1-sheet-2026-08-20 |
| Status | — | complete |
| Warnings | — | optics.megapixels=14.2 has a blank points cell in the source sheet and scores zero |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Sony NEX-C3 is the better pick for most photographers: its 16.2 megapixels give more cropping room for travel and portrait work, and its rated 400-shot battery life beats the NEX3's 330.
Choose the Sony NEX3 instead if burst shooting matters most, because its 7 frames per second catches a fleeting expression better than the C3's 5.5. For landscapes, portraits and everyday use, the C3's extra resolution and higher rated battery life make it the stronger choice.