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Nikon Z5 vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56

Nikon Z5 vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Announced July 2020
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
  • Announced August 2011
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-3
  • Newer Model is Sony NEX-F3
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Nikon Z5 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Nikon Z5 vs Sony NEX-C3, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Nikon and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the Z5 (24MP) and NEX-C3 (16MP) and the Z5 (Full frame) and NEX-C3 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor sizing.

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The Z5 was brought out 9 years after the NEX-C3 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the Z5 matches up vs the NEX-C3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Sony NEX-C3

 Z5 NEX-C3 
AnnouncedJuly 2020August 2011More modern by 109 months
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1040k920kCrisper display (+120k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Nikon Z5

 NEX-C3 Z5 

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Sony NEX-C3

 Z5 NEX-C3 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Nikon Z5 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon Z5 provides physical dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") along with a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) and the Sony NEX-C3 has dimensions of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

Check out the Nikon Z5 vs Sony NEX-C3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the Z5 vs the NEX-C3.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the Z5 and NEX-C3 is 62 and 91 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizes merely by researching a spec sheet. The image here will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the Z5 and NEX-C3.

Clearly, the two cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The Z5 due to its larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field simpler and the Nikon Z5 will provide you with extra detail having its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The newer Z5 will have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z5 Portrait photography information
Sony NEX-C3 Portrait photography information
85
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
73
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon Z5
Street photography with Sony NEX-C3
74
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
boasts focus by touch
environment proofing
very good ISO range (51,200)
more heavy than competitors (675g)
79
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition (225g)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Sports photography camera
82
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
great battery pack (470 per charge)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (4.5 fps)
53
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good battery (400 per charge)
max frames per second low (6.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Travel photography camera
68
great battery pack (470 shots)
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
more heavy than competitors (675 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
71
good battery (400 per charge)
lighter than competition (225g)
decent MP (16MP)
no Time Lapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z5 Landscape photography highlights
Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography highlights
86
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
great battery pack (470 shots)
has double storage slots
70
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
good battery (400 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon Z5
Vlogging with Sony NEX-C3
34
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes external microphone port
does not contain selfie friendly screen
more heavy than competitors (675g)
27
lighter than competition (225g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic support
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Nikon Z5 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Sony NEX-C3
 Nikon Z5Sony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Z5 Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Category Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2020-07-20 2011-08-22
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 6 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 6016 x 4016 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 51200 12800
Highest boosted ISO 102400 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Min boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 273 25
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z Sony E
Number of lenses 15 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3.2" 3"
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.5fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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 @ 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)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 675 grams (1.49 pounds) 225 grams (0.50 pounds)
Dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 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 470 photos 400 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15c NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 2 Single
Launch pricing $1,399 $343