Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a5000
91 Imaging
56 Features
57 Overall
56
![Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Sony-Alpha-NEX-C3/Sony-NEX-C3-front.jpg)
![Sony Alpha a5000 front Sony Alpha a5000 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/w300/fronton/Sony-Alpha-a5000.jpg)
89 Imaging
63 Features
62 Overall
62
Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a5000 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed August 2011
- Superseded the Sony NEX-3
- Renewed by Sony NEX-F3
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 16000
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 269g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
- Released January 2014
- Superseded the Sony NEX-3N
- Replacement is Sony a5100
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a5000 Overview
The following is a in depth comparison of the Sony NEX-C3 and Sony a5000, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras and they are both manufactured by Sony. The resolution of the NEX-C3 (16MP) and the a5000 (20MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras posses the identical sensor size (APS-C).
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
The NEX-C3 was launched 3 years before the a5000 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a short summation of how the NEX-C3 grades vs the a5000 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a5000 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Sony Alpha NEX-C3 & Sony Alpha a5000. The complete galleries are available at Sony NEX-C3 Gallery & Sony a5000 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Sony a5000
NEX-C3 | a5000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 461k | Sharper screen (+459k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony a5000 over the Sony NEX-C3
a5000 | NEX-C3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2014 | ![]() | August 2011 | Newer by 28 months |
Common features in the Sony NEX-C3 and Sony a5000
NEX-C3 | a5000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither contains Touch friendly screen |
Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a5000 Physical Comparison
For those who are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Sony NEX-C3 has got external dimensions of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Sony a5000 has dimensions of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).
Examine the Sony NEX-C3 and Sony a5000 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the NEX-C3 and the a5000.
![Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a5000 size comparison Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a5000 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Sony-Alpha-NEX-C3-vs-Sony-Alpha-a5000-size-comparison.jpg)
Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the NEX-C3 and a5000 is 91 and 89 respectively.
![Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a5000 top view buttons comparison Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a5000 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Sony-Alpha-NEX-C3-vs-Sony-Alpha-a5000-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a5000 Sensor Comparison
Typically, its tough to see the gap in sensor dimensions only by going through specs. The picture here will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the NEX-C3 and a5000.
All in all, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Sony a5000 to provide more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The more aged NEX-C3 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.
![Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a5000 sensor size comparison Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a5000 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Sony-Alpha-NEX-C3-vs-Sony-Alpha-a5000-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a5000 Screen and ViewFinder
![Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a5000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a5000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Sony-Alpha-NEX-C3-vs-Sony-Alpha-a5000-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a5000 Specifications
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | Sony Alpha a5000 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Sony | Sony |
Model type | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | Sony Alpha a5000 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2011-08-22 | 2014-01-07 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Bionz | Bionz X |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.4 x 15.6mm | 23.2 x 15.4mm |
Sensor surface area | 365.0mm² | 357.3mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 20MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4912 x 3264 | 5456 x 3632 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 16000 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 25 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Sony E | Sony E |
Total lenses | 121 | 121 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.6 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 920k dots | 461k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen technology | TFT Xtra Fine LCD | TFT LCD with 180 upward tilt |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 6.0 frames/s | 4.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 4.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in | Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/160 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60i/24p), 1440 x 1080 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 225g (0.50 lbs) | 269g (0.59 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 73 | 79 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.7 | 23.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.2 | 13.0 |
DXO Low light rating | 1083 | 1089 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 400 photographs | 420 photographs |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NPFW50 | NP-FW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) | Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) |
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 |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at release | $343 | $448 |