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Olympus Tough-3000 vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
26
Overall
31
Olympus Stylus Tough-3000 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs

Olympus Tough-3000
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-102mm (F3.5-5.1) lens
  • 159g - 96 x 65 x 23mm
  • Released January 2010
  • Also Known as mju Tough 3000
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
  • Announced August 2011
  • Older Model is Sony NEX-3
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-F3
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Olympus Tough-3000 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Olympus Tough-3000 vs Sony NEX-C3, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Sony. There is a significant difference between the resolutions of the Tough-3000 (12MP) and NEX-C3 (16MP) and the Tough-3000 (1/2.3") and NEX-C3 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor size.

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The Tough-3000 was announced 19 months before the NEX-C3 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus Tough-3000 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief summation of how the Tough-3000 matches up against the NEX-C3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus Tough-3000 over the Sony NEX-C3

 Tough-3000 NEX-C3 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Olympus Tough-3000

 NEX-C3 Tough-3000 
AnnouncedAugust 2011January 2010Fresher by 19 months
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Olympus Tough-3000 and Sony NEX-C3

 Tough-3000 NEX-C3 
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus Tough-3000 features outside measurements of 96mm x 65mm x 23mm (3.8" x 2.6" x 0.9") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Sony NEX-C3 has proportions of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

Check the Olympus Tough-3000 vs Sony NEX-C3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at the time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the Tough-3000 compared to the NEX-C3.

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the Tough-3000 and NEX-C3 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizing just by checking specifications. The graphic underneath will offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the Tough-3000 and NEX-C3.

To sum up, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The Tough-3000 using its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Sony NEX-C3 will resolve extra detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The older Tough-3000 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus Tough-3000 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus Tough-3000
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-C3
21
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
73
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 Street photography information
Sony NEX-C3 Street photography information
62
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
79
screen tilts up and down
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than others in class (225g)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus Tough-3000
Sports photography with Sony NEX-C3
36
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
53
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
great battery (400 shots)
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 Travel photography features
Sony NEX-C3 Travel photography features
61
weather proofing
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse function
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.5)
71
great battery (400 shots)
lighter than others in class (225 grams)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Landscape photography camera
35
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
70
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3")
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
great battery (400 shots)
no image stabilization
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus Tough-3000 Vlogging factors
Sony NEX-C3 Vlogging factors
28
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone support
27
lighter than others in class (225g)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic jack
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Olympus Tough-3000 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus Tough-3000 and Sony NEX-C3
 Olympus Stylus Tough-3000Sony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus Stylus Tough-3000 Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Also Known as mju Tough 3000 -
Class Waterproof Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2010-01-07 2011-08-22
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3968 x 2976 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 28-102mm (3.6x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.1 -
Macro focusing distance 2cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.00 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159 grams (0.35 pounds) 225 grams (0.50 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 65 x 23mm (3.8" x 2.6" x 0.9") 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 - 400 photographs
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $0 $343