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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony QX30

Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 front
Portability
91
Imaging
45
Features
37
Overall
41

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony QX30 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  • Superseded the Sony NEX-3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 QX30
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • " Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
  • 193g - 68 x 65 x 58mm
  • Launched September 2014
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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony QX30 Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Sony NEX-C3 and Sony QX30, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Lens-style and they are both offered by Sony. The sensor resolution of the NEX-C3 (16MP) and the QX30 (20MP) is relatively comparable but the NEX-C3 (APS-C) and QX30 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The NEX-C3 was manufactured 4 years prior to the QX30 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony QX30 being a Lens-style camera.

Before diving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a short summary of how the NEX-C3 grades against the QX30 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Sony QX30

 NEX-C3 QX30 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3""Bigger screen (+3")
Screen resolution920k0kSharper screen (+920k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX30 over the Sony NEX-C3

 QX30 NEX-C3 
LaunchedSeptember 2014August 2011More modern by 36 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony NEX-C3 and Sony QX30

 NEX-C3 QX30 
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony QX30 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Sony NEX-C3 features outer dimensions of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Sony QX30 has dimensions of 68mm x 65mm x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") and a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

Compare the Sony NEX-C3 and Sony QX30 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the NEX-C3 against the QX30.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony QX30 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the NEX-C3 and QX30 is 91 and 91 respectively.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony QX30 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony QX30 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizes just by going through technical specs. The pic here will provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the NEX-C3 and QX30.

As you can tell, both cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The NEX-C3 due to its bigger sensor will make getting shallow depth of field simpler and the Sony QX30 will provide more detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged NEX-C3 will be behind in sensor tech.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony QX30 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony QX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony QX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Portrait photography highlights
Sony QX30 Portrait photography highlights
73
focusing manually
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
38
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Street photography features
Sony QX30 Street photography features
79
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lighter than others in class (225 grams)
lack of image stabilization
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus by touch
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography features
Sony QX30 Sports photography features
53
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great battery pack (400 per charge)
slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
no phase detect auto focus
47
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (200 shots)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Travel photography features
Sony QX30 Travel photography features
71
great battery pack (400 per charge)
lighter than others in class (225 grams)
decent megapixels (16MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
includes focus by touch
resolution is good (20MP)
decently wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
not so great battery power (200 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony QX30 as a Landscape photography camera
70
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (400 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse function
39
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (")
manual mode not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
not so great battery power (200 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Vlogging details
Sony QX30 Vlogging details
27
lighter than others in class (225g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic support
35
decently wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
lack of external mic socket
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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony QX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-C3 and Sony QX30
 Sony Alpha NEX-C3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Lens-style
Announced 2011-08-22 2014-09-03
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Lens-style
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz Bionz X
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 surface area 365.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4912 x 3264 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-720mm (30.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.5-6.3
Amount of lenses 121 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch -
Display resolution 920k dots 0k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Xtra Fine LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in None
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160s -
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 (60p, 30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 225g (0.50 lbs) 193g (0.43 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") 68 x 65 x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3")
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 200 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NPFW50 NP-BN,
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $343 $348