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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a5100

Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
 
Sony Alpha a5100 front
Portability
89
Imaging
65
Features
74
Overall
68

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a5100 Key Specs

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
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-3
  • Newer Model is Sony NEX-F3
Sony a5100
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 283g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
  • Launched August 2014
  • Replaced the Sony a5000
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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a5100 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Sony NEX-C3 versus Sony a5100, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras and both of them are manufactured by Sony. There exists a crucial gap among the image resolutions of the NEX-C3 (16MP) and a5100 (24MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The NEX-C3 was introduced 4 years earlier than the a5100 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a short introduction of how the NEX-C3 grades versus the a5100 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Sony a5100

 NEX-C3 a5100 

Reasons to pick Sony a5100 over the Sony NEX-C3

 a5100 NEX-C3 
LaunchedAugust 2014August 2011Newer by 36 months
Display resolution922k920kSharper display (+2k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony NEX-C3 and Sony a5100

 NEX-C3 a5100 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a5100 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Sony NEX-C3 enjoys outside measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Sony a5100 has measurements of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") with a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

Look at the Sony NEX-C3 versus Sony a5100 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the NEX-C3 and the a5100.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a5100 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the NEX-C3 and a5100 is 91 and 89 respectively.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a5100 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a5100 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by researching specifications. The pic underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the NEX-C3 and a5100.

Plainly, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Sony a5100 to provide you with more detail using its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more aged NEX-C3 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a5100 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony NEX-C3
Portrait photography with Sony a5100
73
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
72
manual focus
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
can't use external flash
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Street photography info
Sony a5100 Street photography info
79
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (225 grams)
no image stabilization
82
screen tilts
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 as a Sports photography camera
Sony a5100 as a Sports photography camera
53
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good battery pack (400 CIPA)
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
no image stabilization
lacks phase detect autofocus
68
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
good battery power (400 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Travel photography features
Sony a5100 Travel photography features
71
good battery pack (400 CIPA)
lighter than competitors in class (225g)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
no Timelapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly screen
80
good battery power (400 shots)
boasts focus via touch
megapixel count good (24MP)
flash built-in
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony NEX-C3
Landscape photography with Sony a5100
70
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (400 CIPA)
no image stabilization
no Timelapse mode
79
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (400 per charge)
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Vlogging details
Sony a5100 Vlogging details
27
lighter than competitors in class (225g)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone support
34
has touchscreen
supports face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
lack of mic socket
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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-C3 and Sony a5100
 Sony Alpha NEX-C3Sony Alpha a5100
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Sony Alpha a5100
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-08-22 2014-08-17
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 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 365.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4912 x 3264 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 12800 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 25 179
Lens
Lens support Sony E Sony E
Total lenses 121 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 920k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Xtra Fine LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated 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, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (120p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic port
Headphone port
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 225 grams (0.50 pounds) 283 grams (0.62 pounds)
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 All around rating 73 80
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 12.7
DXO Low light rating 1083 1347
Other
Battery life 400 photos 400 photos
Style 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 sec, continuous (3-5 shot))
Time lapse recording 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
Price at launch $343 $448