Sony NEX-C3 Entry-Level DSLR Interchangeable Lens Camera
| December 19, 2011 | Posted by admin under Sony |
This tiny interchangeable-lens 16.2 MP camera with a large sensor is loaded with DSLR-style features along with intelligent automation for snap shooters and a press-and-rotate operating method, plus on-screen help guide.
The flash is not built-in but a tiny add-on unit is included. Valuable features include 2D and 3D Sweep Panorama, Soft Skin effects, a 5.5-fps burst mode and a versatile 25-point AF system.
Pros
- JPEG and Raw capture modes
- 7 picture effects options
- 5 creative style modes
- 720p MPEG-4 video
- Three metering patterns
- Tilting 3-inch (921,000-dot) LCD
- DRO and Auto HDR options
Cons
- No viewfinder
- Unusual operating sequences
- No hotshoe
The LCD is a 3in, 921k-dot screen, mounted on a tilt-angle bracket for vertical adjustment. There is no viewfinder, and the Sony Smart Accessory Terminal for the included flashgun won’t accept one. The Terminal is less smart and more fiddly (attaching the flashgun is time-consuming) and few accessories are available for it. Avoiding the eyesore of a hotshoe is understandable, but it does cause practical problems.
It is very small and comfortable to hold. It feels sturdy and well-built. All of the buttons are solid to the touch. Changing lenses is simple and fast, and it comes with an attachable flash.
Perfect step up from a point-and-shoot
- 16.2 MP Exmor APS HD CMOS image sensor has fast response, low noise
- Sweep Panorama with incredible 23 Megapixel images
- Six-shot layering with Hand-held Twilight, Anti Motion Blur modes
- Picture Effects provides 11 artistic looks for your photography
- Photo Creativity provides easy access to image adjustments
Sony NEX-C3 Review
The C3 has a new 16.2MP Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor which promises to deliver superior image quality, while the processing engine delivers shots from ISO 200-12,800 at full resolution and 720p MP4 movie recording.
The C3′s start-up time is almost nothing, plus the buttons are far more customizable but despite this, menu access still feels clunky. The C3′s focusing speed is swift, whether using continuous or single autofocus.
Unlike Sony’s Alpha DSLR models, the C3 lacks any in-camera image stabilization. This isn’t a major gripe, particularly as such a feature would draw more power.
If you own the NEX-3 or NEX-5 you probably won’t need to get this new one. The C3 has a small edge in several areas including resolution, low light capabilities, battery life, weight, size, color depth, and general image quality. Yes, that’s a long list, but they are all minor improvements.
Product Pictures
A small, light and generally impressive Compact System Camera
The small frame of the C3 has few buttons thanks to the presence of the touchscreen
Sample Photos
Image quality
Exposure is accurate for the most part, though in brighter sunlight it can be difficult to assess this on the C3′s screen. Looking at the final shots off-camera, even difficult lighting conditions were tackled well. With the 16mm f/2.8 lens attached for this test, images did suffer from blurring towards the edges and barrel distortion, but this is down to the lens rather than the sensor.
The level of available detail is testament to the already well-proven 16.2MP sensor that does a good job in its allocation here. The Sony has more aggressive image noise reduction that results in softer images, but even into the high ISO settings there’s enough resolved detail right up to ISO 3200.
At settings of ISO 6400-12,800 the images are far softer but still usable despite a wash of color noise. Considering its small size there’s no doubt that the NEX-C3 delivers big on the image quality front.
Bottom Line
The C3 takes the already successful NEX concept and improves upon it. The camera’s small design looks the part, the price is reasonable and images look great. There’s very little not to like bar some control issues. But pretty much everything else is done with class. If you’re seeking a small, viewfinder-free interchangeable-lens system, the C3 has a lot going for it.
Sony NEX-C3 vs Panasonic GF3 vs Olympus E-PL3
