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Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
78
Imaging
70
Features
80
Overall
74
Sony Alpha A7 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56

Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs

Sony A7
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 50 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 474g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Introduced January 2014
  • Updated by Sony A7 II
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
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Older Model is Sony NEX-3
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-F3
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Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Sony A7 versus Sony NEX-C3, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both created by Sony. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the A7 (24MP) and NEX-C3 (16MP) and the A7 (Full frame) and NEX-C3 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor size.

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The A7 was released 2 years later than the NEX-C3 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Sony A7 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting in to a complete comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the A7 matches up versus the NEX-C3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7 over the Sony NEX-C3

 A7 NEX-C3 
IntroducedJanuary 2014August 2011Fresher by 30 months
Screen resolution1230k920kSharper screen (+310k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Sony A7

 NEX-C3 A7 

Common features in the Sony A7 and Sony NEX-C3

 A7 NEX-C3 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Sony A7 has outer measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") along with a weight of 474 grams (1.04 lbs) while the Sony NEX-C3 has measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

Compare the Sony A7 versus Sony NEX-C3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select at the time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the A7 compared to the NEX-C3.

Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the A7 and NEX-C3 is 78 and 91 respectively.

Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizing just by looking through technical specs. The graphic underneath might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the A7 and NEX-C3.

As you can tell, both of the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The A7 featuring a bigger sensor will make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Sony A7 will render greater detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs much more aggressively. The fresher A7 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7 Portrait photography info
Sony NEX-C3 Portrait photography info
82
has manual focus
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with face detect focus
supports RAW files
73
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A7 Street photography highlights
Sony NEX-C3 Street photography highlights
79
screen tilts
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
lighter than competition (474g)
great high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
79
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competitors (225 grams)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A7 Sports photography information
Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography information
66
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
environment sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps low (5.0 fps)
no image stabilization
not so great battery pack (340 CIPA)
53
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great battery pack (400 per charge)
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A7
Travel photography with Sony NEX-C3
69
lighter than competition (474g)
environment sealing
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (340 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
71
great battery pack (400 CIPA)
lighter than competitors (225 grams)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A7 Landscape photography information
Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography information
75
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
no image stabilization
not so great battery pack (340 per charge)
70
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (400 shots)
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A7
Vlogging with Sony NEX-C3
35
comes with face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone support
lighter than competition (474 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
27
lighter than competitors (225g)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic support
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Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7 and Sony NEX-C3
 Sony Alpha A7Sony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A7 Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2014-01-22 2011-08-22
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz X Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.8 x 23.9mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 855.6mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Minimum native ISO 50 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 117 25
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens support Sony E Sony E
Total lenses 121 121
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,230k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology Xtra Fine LCD TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 474g (1.04 lb) 225g (0.50 lb)
Dimensions 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 90 73
DXO Color Depth rating 24.8 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.2 12.2
DXO Low light rating 2248 1083
Other
Battery life 340 shots 400 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FW50 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $798 $343