Clicky

Sony A580 vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
82
Overall
67
Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
57
Features
57
Overall
57

Sony A580 vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs

Sony A580
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Introduced May 2011
  • Old 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
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Older Model is Sony NEX-3
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-F3
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sony A580 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Sony A580 and Sony NEX-C3, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both created by Sony. The sensor resolution of the A580 (16MP) and the NEX-C3 (16MP) is fairly similar and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

The A580 was announced 2 months prior to the NEX-C3 and they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Sony A580 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the A580 scores against the NEX-C3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony A580 over the Sony NEX-C3

 A580 NEX-C3 
Display resolution922k920kClearer display (+2k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Sony A580

 NEX-C3 A580 

Common features in the Sony A580 and Sony NEX-C3

 A580 NEX-C3 
IntroducedMay 2011August 2011Similar age
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Sony A580 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and proportions. The Sony A580 provides outside dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-C3 has measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

See the Sony A580 and Sony NEX-C3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the A580 and the NEX-C3.

Sony A580 vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the A580 and NEX-C3 is 64 and 91 respectively.

Sony A580 vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Sony A580 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizing purely by going over a spec sheet. The visual below will offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A580 and NEX-C3.

Clearly, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the exact same megapixels and you can expect similar quality of photos but you will need to consider the launch date of the products into consideration.

Sony A580 vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Sony A580 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A580 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A580 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Portrait photography camera
74
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
supports RAW files
74
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Sony A580 Street photography factors
Sony NEX-C3 Street photography factors
75
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
80
has a tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than average (225 grams)
no image stabilization
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Sony A580 Sports photography info
Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography info
78
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (1,050 per charge)
supports phase detect auto focus
53
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
better than average battery life (400 per charge)
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Sony A580 Travel photography advice
Sony NEX-C3 Travel photography advice
61
better than average battery pack (1,050 shots)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse function
does not have a selfie friendly screen
71
better than average battery life (400 CIPA)
lighter than average (225 grams)
good MP (16MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Sony A580 Landscape photography advice
Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography advice
74
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (1,050 CIPA)
two card slots
does not have Timelapse function
70
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (400 shots)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Sony A580 Vlogging features
Sony NEX-C3 Vlogging features
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external microphone socket
does not have a selfie friendly screen
27
lighter than average (225g)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic jack
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sony A580 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A580 and Sony NEX-C3
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A580Sony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-05-26 2011-08-22
Body design Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4912 x 3264 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 15 25
Cross focus points 3 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony E
Total lenses 143 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 922k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings 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
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 599g (1.32 lb) 225g (0.50 lb)
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 score 80 73
DXO Color Depth score 23.8 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score 13.3 12.2
DXO Low light score 1121 1083
Other
Battery life 1050 shots 400 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FM500H NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 2 1
Retail price $848 $343