Clicky

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
54
Imaging
61
Features
93
Overall
73
Olympus OM-D E-M1X front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1X
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 997g - 144 x 147 x 75mm
  • Announced January 2019
  • Older Model is Olympus E-M1 II
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
  • Launched August 2011
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-3
  • Successor is Sony NEX-F3
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Olympus E-M1X versus Sony NEX-C3, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the E-M1X (20MP) and NEX-C3 (16MP) and the E-M1X (Four Thirds) and NEX-C3 (APS-C) come with different sensor measurements.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The E-M1X was brought out 7 years later than the NEX-C3 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1X being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short overview of how the E-M1X grades against the NEX-C3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1X over the Sony NEX-C3

 E-M1X NEX-C3 
LaunchedJanuary 2019August 2011More recent by 91 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k920kCrisper display (+117k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Olympus E-M1X

 NEX-C3 E-M1X 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1X and Sony NEX-C3

 E-M1X NEX-C3 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1X enjoys outside measurements of 144mm x 147mm x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") having a weight of 997 grams (2.20 lbs) while the Sony NEX-C3 has measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-M1X versus Sony NEX-C3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use during that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the E-M1X versus the NEX-C3.

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M1X and NEX-C3 is 54 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its difficult to picture the difference between sensor measurements merely by checking a spec sheet. The graphic below may give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1X and NEX-C3.

As you can see, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-M1X because of its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Olympus E-M1X will resolve more detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics far more aggressively. The younger E-M1X should have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Portrait photography features
Sony NEX-C3 Portrait photography features
76
manual focus
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW files
73
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Street photography advice
Sony NEX-C3 Street photography advice
67
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
offers touch to focus
environment proofing
good ISO range (25,600)
heavier than competition in class (997g)
79
screen tilts
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition (225 grams)
does not have image stabilization
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1X
Sports photography with Sony NEX-C3
80
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
max frames per second high (60.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proofing
better than average battery pack (870 shots)
sensor has phase detect AF
53
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good battery power (400 CIPA)
max fps low (6.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
has no phase detect autofocus
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Travel photography highlights
Sony NEX-C3 Travel photography highlights
68
better than average battery pack (870 per charge)
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
offers touch to focus
MP count decent (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
heavier than competition in class (997 grams)
71
good battery power (400 per charge)
lighter than competition (225 grams)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Landscape photography info
Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography info
79
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
better than average battery pack (870 shots)
has dual storage slots
70
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3")
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (400 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
missing Time Lapse mode
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1X as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Vlogging camera
68
display is selfie friendly
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focusing
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
includes external mic jack
heavier than competition in class (997g)
27
lighter than competition (225 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic support
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Olympus E-M1X vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1X and Sony NEX-C3
 Olympus OM-D E-M1XSony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1X Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Class Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2019-01-24 2011-08-22
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Dual TruePic VIII Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5184 x 3888 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Lowest boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 121 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Available lenses 107 121
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,037k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder 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
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shooting rate 60.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options 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
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (USB-PD allows charging by laptop or external power bank) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 997 grams (2.20 lb) 225 grams (0.50 lb)
Dimensions 144 x 147 x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") 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 870 images 400 images
Type of battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage - SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Dual Single
Cost at launch $2,999 $343