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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony HX30V

Portability
91
Imaging
57
Features
57
Overall
57
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony HX30V 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
  • Released August 2011
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-3
  • Successor is Sony NEX-F3
Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Revealed February 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony HX20V
  • Renewed by Sony HX50V
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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony HX30V Overview

Below is a in depth review of the Sony NEX-C3 versus Sony HX30V, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are sold by Sony. The resolution of the NEX-C3 (16MP) and the HX30V (18MP) is pretty well matched but the NEX-C3 (APS-C) and HX30V (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The NEX-C3 was introduced 6 months earlier than the HX30V so they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX30V being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the NEX-C3 grades vs the HX30V for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Sony HX30V

 NEX-C3 HX30V 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Sony NEX-C3

 HX30V NEX-C3 
Screen resolution922k920kSharper screen (+2k dot)

Common features in the Sony NEX-C3 and Sony HX30V

 NEX-C3 HX30V 
RevealedAugust 2011February 2012Similar age
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Sony NEX-C3 has got external measurements 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 HX30V has dimensions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Analyze the Sony NEX-C3 versus Sony HX30V in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at the time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the NEX-C3 vs the HX30V.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the NEX-C3 and HX30V is 91 and 90 respectively.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to see the gap between sensor measurements just by looking at specs. The photograph underneath will offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the NEX-C3 and HX30V.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The NEX-C3 with its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Sony HX30V will give you greater detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots far more aggressively.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony NEX-C3
Portrait photography with Sony HX30V
74
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
45
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (18MP)
includes face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 as a Street photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Street photography camera
80
tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (225g)
does not have image stabilization
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (254g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography highlights
Sony HX30V Sports photography highlights
53
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good battery (400 CIPA)
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
49
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
includes tracking focus
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Travel photography highlights
Sony HX30V Travel photography highlights
71
good battery (400 shots)
lighter than competitors in class (225 grams)
resolution is good (16MP)
does not have Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
69
lighter than competitors in class (254 grams)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography advice
Sony HX30V Landscape photography advice
70
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
good battery (400 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse recording
50
focusing manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Vlogging features
Sony HX30V Vlogging features
27
lighter than competitors in class (225g)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic socket
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (254 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic port
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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-C3 and Sony HX30V
 Sony Alpha NEX-C3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-08-22 2012-02-28
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4912 x 3264 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens support Sony E fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Available lenses 121 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 920k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT Xtra Fine LCD XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 7.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 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 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 225 gr (0.50 lbs) 254 gr (0.56 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 73 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1083 not tested
Other
Battery life 400 images 320 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NPFW50 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $343 $420