Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-C3
79 Imaging
69 Features
84 Overall
75


91 Imaging
56 Features
57 Overall
56
Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs
(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
(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

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).

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.

Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-C3 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Z30 & Sony Alpha NEX-C3. The full galleries are viewable at Nikon Z30 Gallery & Sony NEX-C3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon Z30 over the Sony NEX-C3
Z30 | NEX-C3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | June 2022 | ![]() | August 2011 | More recent by 133 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating display |
Display resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 920k | Crisper 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 dimensions | 3.00" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications
Nikon Z30 | Sony 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 |