Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a1

Let's look a bit more closely at the Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless and both are offered by Sony. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the NEX-C3 (16MP) and a1 (50MP) and the NEX-C3 (APS-C) and a1 (Full frame) possess different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The NEX-C3 was announced 10 years before the a1 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go in to a complete comparison, below is a short highlight of how the NEX-C3 scores against the a1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Sony Alpha NEX-C3 & Sony Alpha a1. The whole galleries are available at Sony NEX-C3 Gallery & Sony a1 Gallery.

For those who are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Sony NEX-C3 has got exterior measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Sony a1 has measurements of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Compare the Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing at that moment. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the NEX-C3 and the a1.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the NEX-C3 and a1 is 91 and 61 respectively.

Generally, it's difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reviewing a spec sheet. The picture underneath will give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the NEX-C3 and a1.

As you can see, each of these cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The NEX-C3 having a tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field harder and the Sony a1 will deliver extra detail with its extra 34 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The more aged NEX-C3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.