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Panasonic FH8 vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs

Panasonic FH8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-6.4) lens
  • 123g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Revealed January 2012
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
  • Released August 2011
  • Previous Model is Sony NEX-3
  • Successor is Sony NEX-F3
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Panasonic FH8 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Panasonic FH8 versus Sony NEX-C3, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the FH8 (16MP) and the NEX-C3 (16MP) is very close but the FH8 (1/2.3") and NEX-C3 (APS-C) boast different sensor dimensions.

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The FH8 was revealed 5 months after the NEX-C3 and they are of a similar age. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FH8 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summary of how the FH8 scores versus the NEX-C3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH8 over the Sony NEX-C3

 FH8 NEX-C3 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Panasonic FH8

 NEX-C3 FH8 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FH8 and Sony NEX-C3

 FH8 NEX-C3 
ReleasedJanuary 2012August 2011Same age
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic FH8 enjoys outer dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 123 grams (0.27 lbs) while the Sony NEX-C3 has sizing of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FH8 versus Sony NEX-C3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the FH8 and the NEX-C3.

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the FH8 and NEX-C3 is 96 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Often, its hard to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions simply by looking through a spec sheet. The picture here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH8 and NEX-C3.

Clearly, the two cameras provide the same MP but different sensor dimensions. The FH8 has the smaller sensor which will make getting bokeh more challenging.

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FH8
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-C3
34
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
73
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Street photography information
Sony NEX-C3 Street photography information
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (123 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
79
screen tilts
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than average in class (225g)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Sports photography features
Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography features
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
has tracking focus
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
53
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good battery (400 per charge)
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Travel photography highlights
Sony NEX-C3 Travel photography highlights
69
lighter than others in class (123 grams)
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
no Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
71
good battery (400 shots)
lighter than average in class (225g)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse recording
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Landscape photography info
Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography info
43
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
70
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
good battery (400 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Vlogging advice
Sony NEX-C3 Vlogging advice
33
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
lighter than others in class (123 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic jack
27
lighter than average in class (225g)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
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Panasonic FH8 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH8 and Sony NEX-C3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8Sony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-01-09 2011-08-22
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - 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 area 27.7mm² 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
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.5-6.4 -
Macro focusing range 4cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.60 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 123 grams (0.27 lb) 225 grams (0.50 lb)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 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 260 shots 400 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $149 $343