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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S950

Portability
91
Imaging
57
Features
57
Overall
57
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S950 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
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-3
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-F3
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Revealed February 2009
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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S950 Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S950, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are created by Sony. There is a significant difference among the resolutions of the NEX-C3 (16MP) and S950 (10MP) and the NEX-C3 (APS-C) and S950 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The NEX-C3 was revealed 2 years after the S950 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony S950 being a Compact camera.

Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple view of how the NEX-C3 matches up vs the S950 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Sony S950

 NEX-C3 S950 
RevealedAugust 2011February 2009Newer by 31 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Sony NEX-C3

 S950 NEX-C3 

Common features in the Sony NEX-C3 and Sony S950

 NEX-C3 S950 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Sony NEX-C3 enjoys exterior measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Sony S950 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S950 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have at that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the NEX-C3 against the S950.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S950 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the NEX-C3 and S950 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by seeing technical specs. The image below should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the NEX-C3 and S950.

As you have seen, both cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The NEX-C3 having a larger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Sony NEX-C3 will produce greater detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images much more aggressively. The more recent NEX-C3 provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Portrait photography highlights
Sony S950 Portrait photography highlights
74
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
26
you can focus manually
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony NEX-C3
Street photography with Sony S950
80
tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than average in class (225 grams)
lack of image stabilization
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony NEX-C3
Sports photography with Sony S950
53
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good battery (400 shots)
low frames per second (6.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
24
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Travel photography info
Sony S950 Travel photography info
71
good battery (400 shots)
lighter than average in class (225 grams)
good MP (16 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
50
flash built-in
no Timelapse mode
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S950 as a Landscape photography camera
70
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
good battery (400 shots)
lack of image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse mode
31
you can focus manually
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual mode
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Vlogging details
Sony S950 Vlogging details
27
lighter than average in class (225 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic jack
9
no video shooting
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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-C3 and Sony S950
 Sony Alpha NEX-C3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-08-22 2009-02-17
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.4 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4912 x 3264 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range - 10cm
Available lenses 121 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT Xtra Fine LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 2 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 6.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 225 grams (0.50 pounds) 167 grams (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NPFW50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $343 $130