Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-C3
74 Imaging
67 Features
84 Overall
73


91 Imaging
56 Features
57 Overall
56
Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 21MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.2" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Nikon Z Mount
- 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
- Released October 2019
(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
- Introduced August 2011
- Superseded the Sony NEX-3
- Renewed by Sony NEX-F3

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview
Lets look more in depth at the Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-C3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and NEX-C3 (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

The Z50 was manufactured 8 years later than the NEX-C3 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a short summation of how the Z50 scores against the NEX-C3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-C3 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Z50 & Sony Alpha NEX-C3. The entire galleries are viewable at Nikon Z50 Gallery & Sony NEX-C3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Sony NEX-C3
Z50 | NEX-C3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | October 2019 | ![]() | August 2011 | More recent by 100 months |
Screen dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 920k | Crisper screen (+120k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Nikon Z50
NEX-C3 | Z50 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Sony NEX-C3
Z50 | NEX-C3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting screen |
Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon Z50 enjoys outer measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") with a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) and the Sony NEX-C3 has proportions 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 the Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-C3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the Z50 versus the NEX-C3.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the Z50 and NEX-C3 is 74 and 91 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is very tough to see the difference in sensor measurements simply by researching specs. The graphic underneath should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the Z50 and NEX-C3.
All in all, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Nikon Z50 to provide you with more detail due to its extra 5 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The newer Z50 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications
Nikon Z50 | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon Z50 | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2019-10-10 | 2011-08-22 |
Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Expeed 6 | Bionz |
Sensor type | BSI-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 | 21MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 5568 x 3712 | 4912 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 51200 | 12800 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 204800 | - |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 209 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Nikon Z | Sony E |
Total lenses | 15 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Tilting | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 3.2" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 1,040 thousand dots | 920 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display tech | - | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360 thousand dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 11.0 frames/s | 6.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 7.00 m (at ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | - | 1/160 seconds |
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 PCM | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum 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 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 397 grams (0.88 pounds) | 225 grams (0.50 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") | 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | 320 pictures | 400 pictures |
Form of battery | Built-in | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | 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 card (UHS-II supported) | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Pricing at release | $857 | $343 |