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Panasonic TS4 vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56

Panasonic TS4 vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs

Panasonic TS4
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 197g - 103 x 64 x 27mm
  • Launched January 2012
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FT4
  • Old Model is Panasonic TS3
  • New Model is Panasonic TS5
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
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-3
  • Successor is Sony NEX-F3
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Panasonic TS4 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Panasonic TS4 and Sony NEX-C3, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the TS4 (12MP) and NEX-C3 (16MP) and the TS4 (1/2.3") and NEX-C3 (APS-C) have different sensor sizes.

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The TS4 was announced 6 months after the NEX-C3 and they are of a similar age. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic TS4 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple summation of how the TS4 grades versus the NEX-C3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic TS4 over the Sony NEX-C3

 TS4 NEX-C3 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Panasonic TS4

 NEX-C3 TS4 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic TS4 and Sony NEX-C3

 TS4 NEX-C3 
ReleasedJanuary 2012August 2011Similar age
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Panasonic TS4 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera often, you should factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic TS4 features outer measurements of 103mm x 64mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") with a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs) and the Sony NEX-C3 has dimensions of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic TS4 and Sony NEX-C3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using during that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the TS4 compared to the NEX-C3.

Panasonic TS4 vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TS4 and NEX-C3 is 92 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic TS4 vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic TS4 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions purely by looking at specs. The image here will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the TS4 and NEX-C3.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The TS4 having a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Sony NEX-C3 will give greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos more aggressively.

Panasonic TS4 vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic TS4 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic TS4 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic TS4
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-C3
21
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
73
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic TS4 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Street photography camera
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
79
tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (225g)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic TS4
Sports photography with Sony NEX-C3
37
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
environment proofing
great battery (310 CIPA)
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300s)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
53
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good battery power (400 CIPA)
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic TS4
Travel photography with Sony NEX-C3
66
great battery (310 per charge)
environment proofing
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
71
good battery power (400 shots)
lighter than competition in class (225 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
lack of Time Lapse function
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic TS4 Landscape photography highlights
Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography highlights
41
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
great battery (310 CIPA)
manual focus not available
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
70
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
good battery power (400 shots)
lack of image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic TS4 Vlogging information
Sony NEX-C3 Vlogging information
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone jack
27
lighter than competition in class (225g)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic socket
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Panasonic TS4 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic TS4 and Sony NEX-C3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4Sony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Alternative name Lumix DMC-FT4 -
Type Waterproof Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2012-01-31 2011-08-22
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD 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 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 23 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 28-128mm (4.6x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1300 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.60 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 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, AVCHD MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 197 grams (0.43 pounds) 225 grams (0.50 pounds)
Physical dimensions 103 x 64 x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 73
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 1083
Other
Battery life 310 shots 400 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $399 $343