Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony NEX-5 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · Mirrorless · 16.2 MP · APS-C · Standard HD video
Sony NEX-C3
42
WINNER
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 14.16 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony NEX-5
40
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony NEX-C3 and the Sony NEX-5 are compact mirrorless cameras built for the Sony E mount, so any E-mount lens fits either body. The NEX-C3 arrived in 2011, a year after 2010's NEX-5, and it is the lighter camera at 225 g against 287 g. Body dimensions stay close, at 110 x 60 x 33 mm for the C3 and 111 x 59 x 38 mm for the NEX-5, so either body slips into the same small bag or jacket pocket. The NEX-5 runs a few millimetres deeper, which is the one dimension worth checking before a snug case. | ||
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 | 111 x 59 x 38 mm |
| Camera weight | 225 g | 287 g |
| Optics | 44/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe NEX-C3 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping, with 16.2 megapixels against 14.16 on the NEX-5. The extra pixels help when a distant bird or a stage performer fills only a small part of the frame. The NEX-5 answers with speed, shooting at 7 frames per second against the C3's 5.5, which improves the odds of catching a runner mid-stride. Beyond burst rate, the core stills specifications match: both use the Bionz processor, 25 autofocus points and a 200 to 12800 ISO range. Neither offers in-body stabilisation or a viewfinder, so framing and review happen on the screen. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.2 MP050 | 14.16 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 | 43/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe NEX-5 is the better video camera, recording Full HD while the C3 stops at Standard HD. A school play or a holiday clip keeps finer detail when played full screen on a television. Both record at up to 30 frames per second, so slow motion is off the menu on either body. The NEX-5 records in AVCHD as well as MP4, while the C3 offers MP4 alone. | ||
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 |  Full 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 | 1920 x 1080 |
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 | AVCHD, MP4 |
| Features | 41/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesEach camera frames on a 3-inch tilting LCD with 920,000 dots and live view, so waist-level and overhead shots compose easily on either body. Neither screen is touch-sensitive, so settings change through the physical controls. Both support an external flash for indoor portraits, and neither has a built-in unit. There is no WiFi, Bluetooth or GPS on either body, and neither is weather sealed, so rain and dust call for care. | ||
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 | 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 BatteryThe NEX-C3 holds the battery advantage, rated for 400 shots against 330 for the NEX-5. Both use the same NP-FW50 battery, so spares and chargers work with either camera. Storage is shared as well: each accepts SD, SDHC and SDXC cards plus Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo in a single slot, so cards transfer freely between the bodies. Neither camera charges over USB, so the external charger stays in the kit. | ||
| 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 | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Buy the NEX-C3 if stills matter most: its extra resolution gives you more room to crop a distant subject, and its longer rated battery life suits a full day of shooting. Buy the NEX-5 when video or motion leads, because its Full HD recording and 7 fps burst suit family clips and moving subjects. Both share the Sony E mount, so lenses carry over and the choice comes down to resolution and endurance against video and speed.