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Nikon Z7 vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
62
Imaging
78
Features
89
Overall
82
Nikon Z7 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56

Nikon Z7 vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs

Nikon Z7
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Boost to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 68mm
  • Introduced August 2018
  • Successor is Nikon Z7 II
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
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-3
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-F3
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Nikon Z7 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

Below is a thorough assessment of the Nikon Z7 vs Sony NEX-C3, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the Z7 (46MP) and NEX-C3 (16MP) and the Z7 (Full frame) and NEX-C3 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor dimensions.

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The Z7 was launched 7 years later than the NEX-C3 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z7 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting in to a full comparison, below is a concise view of how the Z7 scores against the NEX-C3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z7 over the Sony NEX-C3

 Z7 NEX-C3 
IntroducedAugust 2018August 2011More recent by 86 months
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k920kClearer screen (+1180k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Nikon Z7

 NEX-C3 Z7 

Common features in the Nikon Z7 and Sony NEX-C3

 Z7 NEX-C3 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Nikon Z7 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon Z7 offers outside dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 68mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.7") having 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") with a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon Z7 vs Sony NEX-C3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the Z7 vs the NEX-C3.

Nikon Z7 vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the Z7 and NEX-C3 is 62 and 91 respectively.

Nikon Z7 vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z7 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to see the difference between sensor measurements simply by reviewing specs. The graphic here might give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z7 and NEX-C3.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The Z7 due to its bigger sensor will make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Nikon Z7 will deliver more detail utilizing its extra 30MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more recent Z7 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon Z7 vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z7 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z7 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z7 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Portrait photography camera
86
has manual focus
sensor resolution is high (46MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
73
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z7 Street photography details
Sony NEX-C3 Street photography details
79
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW files
comes with touch focus
environment proofing
great high ISO (25,600)
79
tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than others (225 grams)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z7 Sports photography factors
Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography factors
82
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is high (46 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
not so great battery pack (330 shots)
53
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great battery life (400 shots)
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z7 Travel photography info
Sony NEX-C3 Travel photography info
67
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
comes with touch focus
sensor resolution is high (46 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (330 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
71
great battery life (400 shots)
lighter than others (225 grams)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z7 Landscape photography advice
Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography advice
82
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon Z mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is high (46 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
not so great battery pack (330 CIPA)
70
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
great battery life (400 per charge)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z7 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Vlogging camera
36
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have external mic support
screen isn't selfie friendly
27
lighter than others (225 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic socket
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Nikon Z7 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z7 and Sony NEX-C3
 Nikon Z7Sony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Z7 Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2018-08-23 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 Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 46MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 8256 x 5504 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Max enhanced ISO 102400 -
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW support
Lowest enhanced ISO 32 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 493 25
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z Sony E
Total lenses 15 121
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 2,100k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 9.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 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, slow rear-curtain sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 144 Mbps, 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
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 675 gr (1.49 lbs) 225 gr (0.50 lbs)
Dimensions 134 x 101 x 68mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.7") 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 99 73
DXO Color Depth rating 26.3 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.6 12.2
DXO Low light rating 2668 1083
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 400 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage XQD card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $2,797 $343