Clicky

Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
79
Imaging
50
Features
31
Overall
42
Leica M8 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56

Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs

Leica M8
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-H Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 2500
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 591g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
  • Introduced July 2007
Sony NEX-C3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
  • Announced August 2011
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-3
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-F3
Photography Glossary

Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

Lets look closer at the Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-C3, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Leica and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the M8 (10MP) and NEX-C3 (16MP) and the M8 (APS-H) and NEX-C3 (APS-C) have different sensor size.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The M8 was introduced 5 years earlier than the NEX-C3 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick view of how the M8 grades vs the NEX-C3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica M8 over the Sony NEX-C3

 M8 NEX-C3 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Leica M8

 NEX-C3 M8 
AnnouncedAugust 2011July 2007Newer by 49 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Leica M8 and Sony NEX-C3

 M8 NEX-C3 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and proportions. The Leica M8 offers physical measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") with a weight of 591 grams (1.30 lbs) while the Sony NEX-C3 has measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

Contrast the Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-C3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the M8 versus the NEX-C3.

Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the M8 and NEX-C3 is 79 and 91 respectively.

Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions just by viewing a spec sheet. The pic here will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the M8 and NEX-C3.

Clearly, both of the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The M8 having a bigger sensor is going to make getting bokeh simpler and the Sony NEX-C3 will render more detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures way more aggressively. The more aged M8 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M8 Portrait photography information
Sony NEX-C3 Portrait photography information
54
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-H)
saves RAW files
does not have liveview
megapixel count low (10MP)
73
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Street Comparison

Leica M8 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Street photography camera
62
sensor size is good (APS-H)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
79
screen tilts
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than others in class (225g)
does not have image stabilization
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Leica M8 Sports photography features
Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography features
43
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor size is good (APS-H)
better than average battery (550 CIPA)
does not have liveview
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
53
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good battery power (400 per charge)
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica M8
Travel photography with Sony NEX-C3
51
better than average battery (550 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
71
good battery power (400 shots)
lighter than others in class (225 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
missing Timelapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica M8
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-C3
55
has manual focus
change lenses (Leica M mount)
sensor size is good (APS-H)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
saves RAW files
better than average battery (550 per charge)
tiny screen (2.5")
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
70
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (400 shots)
does not have image stabilization
missing Timelapse function
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M8 Vlogging factors
Sony NEX-C3 Vlogging factors
9
can't record video
27
lighter than others in class (225 grams)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone jack
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M8 and Sony NEX-C3
 Leica M8Sony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Company Leica Sony
Model type Leica M8 Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2007-07-31 2011-08-22
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-H APS-C
Sensor measurements 27 x 18mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 486.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3936 x 2630 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 2500 12800
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Leica M Sony E
Total lenses 59 121
Crop factor 1.3 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 591 gr (1.30 pounds) 225 gr (0.50 pounds)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 59 73
DXO Color Depth rating 21.1 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.3 12.2
DXO Low light rating 663 1083
Other
Battery life 550 shots 400 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $4,400 $343