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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a3500

Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
 
Sony Alpha a3500 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
54
Overall
59

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a3500 Key Specs

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
  • Announced August 2011
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-3
  • New Model is Sony NEX-F3
Sony a3500
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
  • Announced March 2014
  • Succeeded the Sony A3000
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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a3500 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Sony NEX-C3 versus Sony a3500, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras and both of them are produced by Sony. The sensor resolution of the NEX-C3 (16MP) and the a3500 (20MP) is pretty close and they use the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The NEX-C3 was introduced 3 years before the a3500 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony a3500 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a short highlight of how the NEX-C3 matches up against the a3500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Sony a3500

 NEX-C3 a3500 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony a3500 over the Sony NEX-C3

 a3500 NEX-C3 
AnnouncedMarch 2014August 2011More modern by 31 months

Common features in the Sony NEX-C3 and Sony a3500

 NEX-C3 a3500 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a3500 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Sony NEX-C3 enjoys outer dimensions of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Sony a3500 has proportions of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") with a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).

Contrast the Sony NEX-C3 versus Sony a3500 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the NEX-C3 against the a3500.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a3500 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the NEX-C3 and a3500 is 91 and 69 respectively.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a3500 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a3500 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizes just by viewing specs. The picture here will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the NEX-C3 and a3500.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Sony a3500 to provide you with extra detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs far more aggressively. The more aged NEX-C3 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a3500 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a3500 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a3500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony a3500 as a Portrait photography camera
73
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
77
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Street photography information
Sony a3500 Street photography information
79
tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than others in class (225g)
does not have image stabilization
57
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (411 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography factors
Sony a3500 Sports photography factors
53
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good battery (400 CIPA)
max fps low (6.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect AF
60
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
good battery (470 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 fps)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Travel photography factors
Sony a3500 Travel photography factors
71
good battery (400 shots)
lighter than others in class (225g)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
missing Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
60
good battery (470 per charge)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
more heavy than average in class (411g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography information
Sony a3500 Landscape photography information
70
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
good battery (400 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
missing Timelapse function
70
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
good battery (470 per charge)
no image stabilization
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 as a Vlogging camera
Sony a3500 as a Vlogging camera
27
lighter than others in class (225g)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone support
26
supports face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
lack of external microphone port
more heavy than average in class (411g)
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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a3500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-C3 and Sony a3500
 Sony Alpha NEX-C3Sony Alpha a3500
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Sony Alpha a3500
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2011-08-22 2014-03-21
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz BIONZ image
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.4 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 365.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4912 x 3264 5456 x 3632
Maximum native ISO 12800 16000
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 25 25
Lens
Lens mount Sony E Sony E
Amount of lenses 121 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT Xtra Fine LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.47x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 6.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 AVCHD, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 225g (0.50 lbs) 411g (0.91 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 73 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 1083 not tested
Other
Battery life 400 shots 470 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NPFW50 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo -
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $343 $398