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Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56

Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs

Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Released December 2009
  • Earlier Model is Sony A100
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
  • Announced August 2011
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-3
  • Updated by Sony NEX-F3
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Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Sony A550 versus Sony NEX-C3, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are created by Sony. The image resolution of the A550 (14MP) and the NEX-C3 (16MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras offer the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The A550 was revealed 20 months before the NEX-C3 making them a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the A550 scores against the NEX-C3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sony NEX-C3

 A550 NEX-C3 
Display resolution922k920kSharper display (+2k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Sony A550

 NEX-C3 A550 
AnnouncedAugust 2011December 2009Fresher by 20 months

Common features in the Sony A550 and Sony NEX-C3

 A550 NEX-C3 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and size. The Sony A550 features exterior dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-C3 has specifications of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

Examine the Sony A550 versus 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 differ based on the lens you are using at the time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the A550 against the NEX-C3.

Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A550 and NEX-C3 is 63 and 91 respectively.

Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizing just by reading through specs. The graphic below will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the A550 and NEX-C3.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Sony NEX-C3 to resolve greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images a good deal more aggressively. The older A550 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A550
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-C3
72
focusing manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
73
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Sony A550 Street photography information
Sony NEX-C3 Street photography information
74
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
79
tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (225g)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A550 Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography advice
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery (480 CIPA)
53
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good battery pack (400 shots)
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
no image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A550 Travel photography advice
Sony NEX-C3 Travel photography advice
52
good resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse recording
terrible battery (480 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
71
good battery pack (400 per charge)
lighter than competitors in class (225g)
good MP (16MP)
missing Timelapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A550
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-C3
66
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
terrible battery (480 per charge)
missing Timelapse recording
70
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (400 CIPA)
no image stabilization
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A550 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video shooting
27
lighter than competitors in class (225 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone socket
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Sony A550 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A550 and Sony NEX-C3
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550Sony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2009-12-09 2011-08-22
Physical type Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.4 x 15.6mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4592 x 3056 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount type Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony E
Amount of lenses 143 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 922 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video data format - MPEG-4
Microphone 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 None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 632g (1.39 pounds) 225g (0.50 pounds)
Physical dimensions 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 66 73
DXO Color Depth rating 21.9 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.8 12.2
DXO Low light rating 807 1083
Other
Battery life 480 pictures 400 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FM500H NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $749 $343