Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-C3
71 Imaging
52 Features
85 Overall
65
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91 Imaging
56 Features
57 Overall
56
Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
- Introduced October 2013
- Successor is Olympus E-M1 II
(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
- Released August 2011
- Superseded the Sony NEX-3
- Replacement is Sony NEX-F3
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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview
In this write-up, we are contrasting the Olympus E-M1 versus Sony NEX-C3, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the NEX-C3 (16MP) is fairly similar but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and NEX-C3 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor dimensions.
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The E-M1 was released 2 years later than the NEX-C3 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before we go through a more detailed comparison, below is a short introduction of how the E-M1 grades against the NEX-C3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus OM-D E-M1 and Sony Alpha NEX-C3. The complete galleries are available at Olympus E-M1 Gallery and Sony NEX-C3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Sony NEX-C3
E-M1 | NEX-C3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | October 2013 | ![]() | August 2011 | More recent by 27 months |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 920k | Crisper display (+117k dot) |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Olympus E-M1
NEX-C3 | E-M1 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Sony NEX-C3
E-M1 | NEX-C3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen |
Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to lug around your camera, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1 comes with external dimensions of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") with a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) and the Sony NEX-C3 has dimensions of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).
See the Olympus E-M1 versus Sony NEX-C3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have at the time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the E-M1 against the NEX-C3.
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Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 and NEX-C3 is 71 and 91 respectively.
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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very hard to visualise the difference between sensor measurements just by reviewing specs. The visual underneath will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 and NEX-C3.
As you can plainly see, both of the cameras offer the same exact megapixels but not the same sensor measurements. The E-M1 offers the tinier sensor which is going to make getting shallower depth of field more challenging. The newer E-M1 will have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.
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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Olympus E-M1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 |
Class | Pro Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2013-10-28 | 2011-08-22 |
Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePIC VII | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4912 x 3264 |
Highest native ISO | 25600 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 81 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
Total lenses | 107 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Tilting | Tilting |
Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 1,037k dots | 920k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | - | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360k dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.74x | - |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 10.0 frames per second | 6.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash options | Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), Manual | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/320s | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | H.264, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Mic 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 | 497g (1.10 lbs) | 225g (0.50 lbs) |
Dimensions | 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") | 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 73 | 73 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.0 | 22.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.7 | 12.2 |
DXO Low light rating | 757 | 1083 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 images | 400 images |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLN-1 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $799 | $343 |