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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony HX300

Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 front
Portability
63
Imaging
44
Features
51
Overall
46

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony HX300 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
  • Announced August 2011
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-3
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-F3
Sony HX300
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 623g - 130 x 103 x 93mm
  • Launched February 2013
  • Older Model is Sony HX200V
  • Successor is Sony HX400V
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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony HX300 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Sony NEX-C3 and Sony HX300, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both produced by Sony. The image resolution of the NEX-C3 (16MP) and the HX300 (20MP) is fairly close but the NEX-C3 (APS-C) and HX300 (1/2.3") possess different sensor sizes.

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The NEX-C3 was manufactured 18 months prior to the HX300 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a brief view of how the NEX-C3 scores vs the HX300 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Sony HX300

 NEX-C3 HX300 

Reasons to pick Sony HX300 over the Sony NEX-C3

 HX300 NEX-C3 
LaunchedFebruary 2013August 2011Fresher by 18 months
Display resolution921k920kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Sony NEX-C3 and Sony HX300

 NEX-C3 HX300 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony HX300 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and dimensions. The Sony NEX-C3 offers physical measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Sony HX300 has dimensions of 130mm x 103mm x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") having a weight of 623 grams (1.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony NEX-C3 and Sony HX300 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the NEX-C3 against the HX300.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony HX300 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the NEX-C3 and HX300 is 91 and 63 respectively.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony HX300 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony HX300 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing merely by researching technical specs. The graphic here might give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the NEX-C3 and HX300.

As you have seen, each of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The NEX-C3 due to its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Sony HX300 will render greater detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images far more aggressively. The older NEX-C3 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony HX300 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony HX300 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony HX300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX300 as a Portrait photography camera
73
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
42
has manual focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony NEX-C3
Street photography with Sony HX300
79
screen tilts
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition (225g)
lack of image stabilization
50
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
more heavy than competition in class (623 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX300 as a Sports photography camera
53
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good battery (400 CIPA)
slow fps (6.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
55
excellent zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20MP)
provides tracking focus
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Travel photography info
Sony HX300 Travel photography info
71
good battery (400 CIPA)
lighter than competition (225 grams)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
54
resolution is good (20MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long zoom (1200mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (623 grams)
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography factors
Sony HX300 Landscape photography factors
70
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
good battery (400 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse recording
48
has manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Vlogging details
Sony HX300 Vlogging details
27
lighter than competition (225g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone port
25
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly display
does not have microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (623 grams)
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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony HX300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-C3 and Sony HX300
 Sony Alpha NEX-C3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-08-22 2013-02-20
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.4 x 15.6mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 4912 x 3264 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mount Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.8-6.3
Total lenses 121 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 920k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT Xtra Fine LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 secs -
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 (60, 50 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 -
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 225g (0.50 lb) 623g (1.37 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") 130 x 103 x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model NPFW50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) -
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo -
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $343 $339