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Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
54
Imaging
75
Features
84
Overall
78
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
57
Features
57
Overall
57

Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs

Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1021g - 149 x 110 x 97mm
  • Released February 2019
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
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-3
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-F3
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Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

Here is a extended overview of the Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-C3, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the resolutions of the S1 (24MP) and NEX-C3 (16MP) and the S1 (Full frame) and NEX-C3 (APS-C) use totally different sensor size.

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The S1 was brought out 7 years later than the NEX-C3 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic S1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the S1 grades against the NEX-C3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Sony NEX-C3

 S1 NEX-C3 
LaunchedFebruary 2019August 2011Fresher by 91 months
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2100k920kClearer display (+1180k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Panasonic S1

 NEX-C3 S1 

Common features in the Panasonic S1 and Sony NEX-C3

 S1 NEX-C3 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic S1 comes with external measurements of 149mm x 110mm x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") having a weight of 1021 grams (2.25 lbs) whilst 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).

Compare the Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-C3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the S1 versus the NEX-C3.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the S1 and NEX-C3 is 54 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing only by reading through a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the S1 and NEX-C3.

Clearly, each of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The S1 because of its larger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Panasonic S1 will give you more detail having its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The fresher S1 will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S1 Portrait photography information
Sony NEX-C3 Portrait photography information
85
has manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/320s)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
74
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S1 Street photography information
Sony NEX-C3 Street photography information
70
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
provides focus via touch
environment sealing
good ISO range (51,200)
heavier than others (1,021g)
80
screen tilts
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than average in class (225 grams)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S1 Sports photography features
Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography features
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
terrible battery (380 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
53
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
better than average battery pack (400 per charge)
slow fps (6.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S1
Travel photography with Sony NEX-C3
59
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
provides focus via touch
resolution is good (24MP)
terrible battery (380 per charge)
heavier than others (1,021g)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
71
better than average battery pack (400 CIPA)
lighter than average in class (225g)
good MP (16 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Landscape photography camera
81
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Leica L mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
terrible battery (380 per charge)
70
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (400 shots)
does not have image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S1 Vlogging factors
Sony NEX-C3 Vlogging factors
32
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focusing
good video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have mic jack
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
heavier than others (1,021g)
27
lighter than average in class (225g)
does not have a selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic support
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Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1 and Sony NEX-C3
 Panasonic Lumix DC-S1Sony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2019-02-01 2011-08-22
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.6 x 23.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 847.3mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 51200 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 204800 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 225 25
Lens
Lens mount type Leica L Sony E
Total lenses 30 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 2,100 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 5,760 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Max quiet shutter speed 1/8000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 9.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/320 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1021 gr (2.25 pounds) 225 gr (0.50 pounds)
Dimensions 149 x 110 x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 95 73
DXO Color Depth rating 25.2 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.5 12.2
DXO Low light rating 3333 1083
Other
Battery life 380 photos 400 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes 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 One
Pricing at release $2,498 $343