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Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
56
Overall
46
Nikon 1 J1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
57
Features
57
Overall
57

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs

Nikon 1 J1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 234g - 106 x 61 x 30mm
  • Released January 2012
  • Successor is Nikon 1 J2
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
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-3
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-F3
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Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Nikon 1 J1 versus Sony NEX-C3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. There exists a crucial gap among the resolutions of the 1 J1 (10MP) and NEX-C3 (16MP) and the 1 J1 (1") and NEX-C3 (APS-C) use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The 1 J1 was introduced 6 months after the NEX-C3 so they are of a similar generation. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short highlight of how the 1 J1 matches up vs the NEX-C3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J1 over the Sony NEX-C3

 1 J1 NEX-C3 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Nikon 1 J1

 NEX-C3 1 J1 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k460kSharper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Nikon 1 J1 and Sony NEX-C3

 1 J1 NEX-C3 
IntroducedJanuary 2012August 2011Same generation
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon 1 J1 comes with exterior measurements of 106mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 234 grams (0.52 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-C3 has proportions of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

Check the Nikon 1 J1 versus Sony NEX-C3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose during that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the 1 J1 versus the NEX-C3.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 1 J1 and NEX-C3 is 91 and 91 respectively.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by looking through a spec sheet. The image here may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 J1 and NEX-C3.

Clearly, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The 1 J1 having a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Sony NEX-C3 will provide you with greater detail using its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs far more aggressively.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Portrait photography details
Sony NEX-C3 Portrait photography details
48
manual focus
sensor size is good (1")
delivers RAW files
can't use external flash
MP count low (10 megapixels)
74
has manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Street photography camera
69
sensor size is good (1")
delivers RAW files
lighter than others (234 grams)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
80
tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than others (225 grams)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Sports photography camera
48
silent mode (1/16,000s)
sensor size is good (1")
includes tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
terrible battery life (230 per charge)
53
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good battery (400 shots)
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Travel photography camera
60
lighter than others (234g)
flash built-in
terrible battery life (230 CIPA)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
71
good battery (400 CIPA)
lighter than others (225g)
decent MP (16MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon 1 J1
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-C3
56
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen size is decent (3")
sensor size is good (1")
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
terrible battery life (230 shots)
70
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3")
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
good battery (400 per charge)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Vlogging camera
30
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (234 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone support
27
lighter than others (225 grams)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone support
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Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J1 and Sony NEX-C3
 Nikon 1 J1Sony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon 1 J1 Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2012-01-20 2011-08-22
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3872 x 2592 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 135 25
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon 1 Sony E
Available lenses 13 121
Focal length multiplier 2.7 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/60s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 1072 x 720 (60 fps) 640 x 240 (400), 320 x 120 (1200) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 234g (0.52 lb) 225g (0.50 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 61 x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 73
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 12.2
DXO Low light rating 372 1083
Other
Battery life 230 photos 400 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL20 NPFW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $625 $343