Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S980
91 Imaging
56 Features
57 Overall
56
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94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(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- Superseded the Sony NEX-3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
(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
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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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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S980 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Sony Alpha NEX-C3 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The full galleries are available at Sony NEX-C3 Gallery and Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Sony S980
NEX-C3 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | Fresher by 31 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+690k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony NEX-C3
S980 | NEX-C3 |
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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.
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.
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Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the NEX-C3 and S980 is 91 and 94 respectively.
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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.
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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony S980 Specifications
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | Sony 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 |