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Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
79
Imaging
69
Features
84
Overall
75
Nikon Z30 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56

Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs

Nikon Z30
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 405g - 128 x 74 x 60mm
  • Revealed June 2022
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
  • Earlier Model is Sony NEX-3
  • Later Model is Sony NEX-F3
Photography Glossary

Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Nikon Z30 versus Sony NEX-C3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the resolutions of the Z30 (21MP) and NEX-C3 (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The Z30 was revealed 11 years later than the NEX-C3 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Nikon Z30 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go into a in depth comparison, here is a concise view of how the Z30 grades versus the NEX-C3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z30 over the Sony NEX-C3

 Z30 NEX-C3 
IntroducedJune 2022August 2011More recent by 133 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1040k920kCrisper display (+120k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Nikon Z30

 NEX-C3 Z30 

Common features in the Nikon Z30 and Sony NEX-C3

 Z30 NEX-C3 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display dimensions3.00"3"Equal display sizing

Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and size. The Nikon Z30 enjoys exterior measurements of 128mm x 74mm x 60mm (5.0" x 2.9" x 2.4") accompanied by a weight of 405 grams (0.89 lbs) while the Sony NEX-C3 has specifications of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

Compare the Nikon Z30 versus Sony NEX-C3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the Z30 against the NEX-C3.

Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the Z30 and NEX-C3 is 79 and 91 respectively.

Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to envision the difference between sensor measurements simply by going over technical specs. The graphic underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the Z30 and NEX-C3.

As you can tell, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Nikon Z30 to deliver extra detail because of its extra 5MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The younger Z30 will have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z30 Portrait photography info
Sony NEX-C3 Portrait photography info
81
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (21MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
73
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z30 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Street photography camera
75
fully articulated screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
has focus via touch
environment sealing
good ISO range (51,200)
no image stabilization
heavier than competitors (405g)
79
screen tilts
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lighter than competition (225g)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z30 Sports photography factors
Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography factors
76
decent sensor resolution (21 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
environment sealing
has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
53
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
better than average battery pack (400 per charge)
slow fps (6.0 fps)
no image stabilization
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z30 Travel photography advice
Sony NEX-C3 Travel photography advice
78
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
has focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (21MP)
screen is selfie friendly
heavier than competitors (405 grams)
71
better than average battery pack (400 shots)
lighter than competition (225 grams)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
missing Timelapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z30 Landscape photography highlights
Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography highlights
80
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is decent (3.00 inches)
decent sensor resolution (21 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
no image stabilization
70
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (400 CIPA)
no image stabilization
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z30 Vlogging advice
Sony NEX-C3 Vlogging advice
73
screen is selfie friendly
touch screen
supports face detect autofocus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has mic jack
no image stabilization
heavier than competitors (405 grams)
27
lighter than competition (225g)
does not offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone socket
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Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z30 and Sony NEX-C3
 Nikon Z30Sony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z30 Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2022-06-29 2011-08-22
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5568 x 3712 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 51200 12800
Max enhanced ISO 204800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 209 25
Lens
Lens mount Nikon Z Sony E
Amount of lenses 35 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Tilting
Display diagonal 3.00 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 11.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 405 grams (0.89 lbs) 225 grams (0.50 lbs)
Physical dimensions 128 x 74 x 60mm (5.0" x 2.9" x 2.4") 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 73
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 1083
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 400 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL25 NPFW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse recording
Storage type - SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $650 $343