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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S980

Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S980 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
  • Announced August 2011
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-3
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-F3
Sony S980
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Released February 2009
Photography Glossary

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S980 Overview

Here is a complete assessment of the Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S980, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both sold by Sony. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the NEX-C3 (16MP) and S980 (12MP) and the NEX-C3 (APS-C) and S980 (1/2.3") provide different sensor sizing.

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The NEX-C3 was unveiled 2 years later than the S980 and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise summation of how the NEX-C3 grades against the S980 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Sony S980

 NEX-C3 S980 
ReleasedAugust 2011February 2009Fresher by 31 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony NEX-C3

 S980 NEX-C3 

Common features in the Sony NEX-C3 and Sony S980

 NEX-C3 S980 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Sony NEX-C3 comes with 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) and the Sony S980 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S980 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at that moment. Below is a front view scale comparison of the NEX-C3 vs the S980.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the NEX-C3 and S980 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to visualize the difference between sensor sizing merely by reading specs. The photograph below might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the NEX-C3 and S980.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The NEX-C3 having a bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the Sony NEX-C3 will deliver more detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures more aggressively. The younger NEX-C3 should have a benefit in sensor technology.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S980 as a Portrait photography camera
73
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
27
focusing manually
no manual mode
no external flash support
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Street photography features
Sony S980 Street photography features
79
screen tilts
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than average (225 grams)
lack of image stabilization
47
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography highlights
Sony S980 Sports photography highlights
53
decent megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery life (400 CIPA)
max fps low (6.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
17
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Travel photography highlights
Sony S980 Travel photography highlights
71
better than average battery life (400 CIPA)
lighter than average (225g)
decent megapixels (16MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low MP (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography factors
Sony S980 Landscape photography factors
70
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (400 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
27
focusing manually
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Vlogging advice
Sony S980 Vlogging advice
27
lighter than average (225g)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic port
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic port
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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-C3 and Sony S980
 Sony Alpha NEX-C3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-08-22 2009-02-17
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
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 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4912 x 3264 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range - 10cm
Number of lenses 121 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Xtra Fine LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 225 grams (0.50 lbs) 167 grams (0.37 lbs)
Physical 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 Overall 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 -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NPFW50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
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 release $343 $300