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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony W230

Portability
91
Imaging
57
Features
57
Overall
57
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
25
Overall
31

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony W230 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
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-3
  • Successor is Sony NEX-F3
Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Released February 2009
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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony W230 Overview

The following is a extended review of the Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony W230, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are offered by Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the NEX-C3 (16MP) and W230 (12MP) and the NEX-C3 (APS-C) and W230 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor measurements.

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The NEX-C3 was brought out 2 years after the W230 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology 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 W230 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple view of how the NEX-C3 grades against the W230 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Sony W230

 NEX-C3 W230 
ReleasedAugust 2011February 2009Newer by 31 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Sony NEX-C3

 W230 NEX-C3 

Common features in the Sony NEX-C3 and Sony W230

 NEX-C3 W230 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Sony NEX-C3 features external dimensions 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 W230 has dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony W230 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the NEX-C3 against the W230.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the NEX-C3 and W230 is 91 and 95 respectively.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reading a spec sheet. The picture below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the NEX-C3 and W230.

Clearly, each of these cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The NEX-C3 because of its bigger sensor will make getting bokeh less difficult and the Sony NEX-C3 will offer greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots much more aggressively. The fresher NEX-C3 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W230 as a Portrait photography camera
74
manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
27
manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 as a Street photography camera
Sony W230 as a Street photography camera
80
tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than average in class (225 grams)
lack of image stabilization
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography details
Sony W230 Sports photography details
53
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great battery life (400 CIPA)
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony NEX-C3
Travel photography with Sony W230
71
great battery life (400 shots)
lighter than average in class (225 grams)
megapixel count good (16MP)
no Time Lapse function
does not posses selfie friendly display
51
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography info
Sony W230 Landscape photography info
70
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
great battery life (400 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse function
37
manual focus
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony NEX-C3
Vlogging with Sony W230
27
lighter than average in class (225g)
does not posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic support
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of microphone socket
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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-C3 and Sony W230
 Sony Alpha NEX-C3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-08-22 2009-02-17
Physical type 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 surface area 365.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias 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
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
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 - 30-120mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8-5.8
Macro focusing range - 4cm
Available lenses 121 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT Xtra Fine LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 1 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 225 grams (0.50 pounds) 156 grams (0.34 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 pictures -
Battery type 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 shooting
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $343 $180