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Olympus E-PL6 vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
88
Imaging
53
Features
77
Overall
62
Olympus PEN E-PL6 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
57
Features
57
Overall
57

Olympus E-PL6 vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL6
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
  • Launched August 2014
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PL7
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
  • Revealed August 2011
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-3
  • Successor is Sony NEX-F3
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Olympus E-PL6 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-PL6 versus Sony NEX-C3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-PL6 (16MP) and the NEX-C3 (16MP) is relatively comparable but the E-PL6 (Four Thirds) and NEX-C3 (APS-C) provide different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL6 was released 2 years after the NEX-C3 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the E-PL6 grades versus the NEX-C3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL6 over the Sony NEX-C3

 E-PL6 NEX-C3 
RevealedAugust 2014August 2011More modern by 36 months
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Olympus E-PL6

 NEX-C3 E-PL6 
Screen resolution920k460kSharper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL6 and Sony NEX-C3

 E-PL6 NEX-C3 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement

Olympus E-PL6 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL6 provides outside measurements of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) while the Sony NEX-C3 has measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL6 versus Sony NEX-C3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL6 versus the NEX-C3.

Olympus E-PL6 vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL6 and NEX-C3 is 88 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-PL6 vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL6 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizes only by seeing technical specs. The image below should offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL6 and NEX-C3.

As you can tell, each of the cameras feature the identical megapixels albeit different sensor sizes. The E-PL6 offers the smaller sensor which will make achieving bokeh more difficult. The younger E-PL6 provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL6 vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL6 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL6 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Portrait photography factors
Sony NEX-C3 Portrait photography factors
71
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
74
has manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Street photography camera
85
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
provides focus via touch
good high ISO (25,600)
80
screen tilts
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than others in class (225 grams)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Sports photography highlights
Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography highlights
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
lack of phase detect autofocus
53
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good battery pack (400 CIPA)
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Travel photography camera
85
provides focus via touch
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
71
good battery pack (400 per charge)
lighter than others in class (225g)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Landscape photography advice
Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography advice
80
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
70
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (400 shots)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL6
Vlogging with Sony NEX-C3
79
selfie friendly display
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone jack
27
lighter than others in class (225 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone socket
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Olympus E-PL6 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL6 and Sony NEX-C3
 Olympus PEN E-PL6Sony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL6 Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2014-08-01 2011-08-22
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 35 25
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Number of lenses 107 121
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 8.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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 file format MPEG-4, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 325 gr (0.72 lbs) 225 gr (0.50 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") 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 360 pictures 400 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $300 $343