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Nikon 1 V1 vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
84
Imaging
40
Features
68
Overall
51
Nikon 1 V1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
57
Features
57
Overall
57

Nikon 1 V1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs

Nikon 1 V1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 383g - 113 x 76 x 44mm
  • Revealed January 2012
  • New Model is Nikon 1 V2
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
  • Revealed August 2011
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-3
  • Later Model is Sony NEX-F3
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Nikon 1 V1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Nikon 1 V1 vs Sony NEX-C3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the 1 V1 (10MP) and NEX-C3 (16MP) and the 1 V1 (1") and NEX-C3 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor dimensions.

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The 1 V1 was launched 6 months after the NEX-C3 which means that they are of a similar age. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the 1 V1 scores versus the NEX-C3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 V1 over the Sony NEX-C3

 1 V1 NEX-C3 
Screen resolution921k920kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Nikon 1 V1

 NEX-C3 1 V1 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Nikon 1 V1 and Sony NEX-C3

 1 V1 NEX-C3 
RevealedJanuary 2012August 2011Same age
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Nikon 1 V1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon 1 V1 enjoys external dimensions of 113mm x 76mm x 44mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.7") and a weight of 383 grams (0.84 lbs) and the Sony NEX-C3 has sizing 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 V1 vs Sony NEX-C3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the 1 V1 against the NEX-C3.

Nikon 1 V1 vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 1 V1 and NEX-C3 is 84 and 91 respectively.

Nikon 1 V1 vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 V1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its hard to see the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by going through specs. The image underneath may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the 1 V1 and NEX-C3.

All in all, each of these cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The 1 V1 because of its smaller sensor will make achieving bokeh trickier and the Sony NEX-C3 will show greater detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively.

Nikon 1 V1 vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 V1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 V1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 V1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Portrait photography camera
54
manual focus
sensor size is good (1")
saves RAW files
MP count low (10MP)
74
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 V1 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Street photography camera
62
sensor size is good (1")
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
80
screen tilts up and down
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than others in class (225 grams)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 V1 Sports photography highlights
Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography highlights
53
silent mode (1/16,000s)
sensor size is good (1")
features tracking focus
supports phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
53
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great battery (400 per charge)
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 V1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Travel photography camera
41
MP count low (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
71
great battery (400 shots)
lighter than others in class (225 grams)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon 1 V1
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-C3
60
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
sensor size is good (1")
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
70
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
great battery (400 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 V1 Vlogging info
Sony NEX-C3 Vlogging info
30
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with mic socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
27
lighter than others in class (225g)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone socket
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Nikon 1 V1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 V1 and Sony NEX-C3
 Nikon 1 V1Sony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon 1 V1 Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 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
Maximum resolution 3872 x 2592 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
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
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 921k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT LCD TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250s 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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 383 gr (0.84 pounds) 225 gr (0.50 pounds)
Dimensions 113 x 76 x 44mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.7") 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 54 73
DXO Color Depth rating 21.3 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 12.2
DXO Low light rating 346 1083
Other
Battery life 350 shots 400 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15 NPFW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail cost $670 $343