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Sony NEX-5R vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs

Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Revealed August 2012
  • Previous Model is Sony NEX-5N
  • Updated by Sony NEX-5T
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
  • Released August 2011
  • Previous Model is Sony NEX-3
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-F3
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Sony NEX-5R vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

The following is a extensive analysis of the Sony NEX-5R versus Sony NEX-C3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras and both are produced by Sony. The sensor resolution of the NEX-5R (16MP) and the NEX-C3 (16MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The NEX-5R was launched 13 months after the NEX-C3 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise summation of how the NEX-5R scores vs the NEX-C3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Sony NEX-C3

 NEX-5R NEX-C3 
ReleasedAugust 2012August 2011Newer by 13 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Sony NEX-5R

 NEX-C3 NEX-5R 

Common features in the Sony NEX-5R and Sony NEX-C3

 NEX-5R NEX-C3 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Screen resolution920k920kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and volume. The Sony NEX-5R has exterior dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-C3 has sizing of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

Contrast the Sony NEX-5R versus Sony NEX-C3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the NEX-5R and the NEX-C3.

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the NEX-5R and NEX-C3 is 89 and 91 respectively.

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reading through specifications. The picture below should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the NEX-5R and NEX-C3.

To sum up, both cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same resolution and you can expect similar quality of photos though you really should consider the age of the products into consideration. The newer NEX-5R should have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-5R Portrait photography factors
Sony NEX-C3 Portrait photography factors
74
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
73
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Sony NEX-5R Street photography details
Sony NEX-C3 Street photography details
80
has a tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
comes with touch focus
great high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
79
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than others in class (225g)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony NEX-5R
Sports photography with Sony NEX-C3
68
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
comes with phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
53
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
better than average battery life (400 per charge)
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony NEX-5R
Travel photography with Sony NEX-C3
73
comes with touch focus
MP count good (16MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
71
better than average battery life (400 per charge)
lighter than others in class (225g)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-5R Landscape photography information
Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography information
75
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3")
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
70
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (400 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-5R Vlogging highlights
Sony NEX-C3 Vlogging highlights
31
touchscreen functionality
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
does not have microphone support
27
lighter than others in class (225g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic socket
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Sony NEX-5R vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-5R and Sony NEX-C3
 Sony Alpha NEX-5RSony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha NEX-5R Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-08-29 2011-08-22
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
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 25600 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
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 99 25
Lens
Lens mount Sony E Sony E
Amount of lenses 121 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 920k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVCHD MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 276 gr (0.61 lb) 225 gr (0.50 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 78 73
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score 13.1 12.2
DXO Low light score 910 1083
Other
Battery life 330 shots 400 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NPFW50 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $750 $343