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Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
93
Imaging
45
Features
60
Overall
51
Nikon 1 S2 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
57
Features
57
Overall
57

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs

Nikon 1 S2
(Full Review)
  • 14.2MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 190g - 101 x 61 x 29mm
  • Revealed May 2014
  • Earlier Model is Nikon 1 S1
Sony NEX-C3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-3
  • Later Model is Sony NEX-F3
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Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

In this article, we are evaluating the Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-C3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the 1 S2 (14.2MP) and the NEX-C3 (16MP) is very comparable but the 1 S2 (1") and NEX-C3 (APS-C) come with different sensor size.

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The 1 S2 was introduced 2 years after the NEX-C3 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief summation of how the 1 S2 grades vs the NEX-C3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 S2 over the Sony NEX-C3

 1 S2 NEX-C3 
IntroducedMay 2014August 2011More modern by 34 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Nikon 1 S2

 NEX-C3 1 S2 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k460kSharper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Nikon 1 S2 and Sony NEX-C3

 1 S2 NEX-C3 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon 1 S2 enjoys outer measurements of 101mm x 61mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-C3 has dimensions of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

Look at the Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-C3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the 1 S2 against the NEX-C3.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 1 S2 and NEX-C3 is 93 and 91 respectively.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizes just by going through specifications. The image below might give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 S2 and NEX-C3.

Plainly, the 2 cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The 1 S2 using its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony NEX-C3 will produce more detail using its extra 1.8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images a little more aggressively. The more recent 1 S2 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Portrait photography camera
60
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (14.2MP)
good sensor size (1")
features face detection focusing
saves RAW files
can't use external flash
74
has manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Street photography camera
71
good sensor size (1")
saves RAW files
lighter than others (190 grams)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
80
screen tilts
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (225 grams)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Sports photography factors
Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography factors
60
silent mode (1/16,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution is decent (14.2MP)
good sensor size (1")
features tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery (270 CIPA)
53
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good battery power (400 per charge)
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Travel photography factors
Sony NEX-C3 Travel photography factors
66
lighter than others (190 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (14.2MP)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
terrible battery (270 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
71
good battery power (400 shots)
lighter than competitors in class (225 grams)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Landscape photography highlights
Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography highlights
60
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (14.2MP)
good sensor size (1")
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery (270 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
70
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (400 shots)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Vlogging highlights
Sony NEX-C3 Vlogging highlights
33
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (190 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
missing external mic socket
27
lighter than competitors in class (225g)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 S2 and Sony NEX-C3
 Nikon 1 S2Sony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon 1 S2 Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2014-05-21 2011-08-22
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 4A Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 13.1 x 8.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 115.3mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14.2MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4592 x 3072 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 171 25
Cross type focus points 73 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon 1 Sony E
Number of lenses 13 121
Crop factor 2.7 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Highest silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shooting speed 60.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash options Fill, fill w/slow sync, rear curtain sync, rear curtain w/ slow sync, redeye reduction, redeye reduction w/slow sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Optional 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 190g (0.42 lbs) 225g (0.50 lbs)
Dimensions 101 x 61 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 73
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 1083
Other
Battery life 270 shots 400 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL22 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse feature
Storage media microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $450 $343