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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony A57

Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony A57 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
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-3
  • Updated by Sony NEX-F3
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Introduced September 2012
  • Previous Model is Sony A55
  • Later Model is Sony A58
Photography Glossary

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony A57 Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Sony NEX-C3 and Sony A57, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and both are designed by Sony. The image resolution of the NEX-C3 (16MP) and the A57 (16MP) is very comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The NEX-C3 was launched 12 months earlier than the A57 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short view of how the NEX-C3 grades against the A57 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Sony A57

 NEX-C3 A57 

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Sony NEX-C3

 A57 NEX-C3 
IntroducedSeptember 2012August 2011Newer by 12 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution921k920kCrisper display (+1k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Sony NEX-C3 and Sony A57

 NEX-C3 A57 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Sony NEX-C3 has exterior measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Sony A57 has specifications of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Contrast the Sony NEX-C3 and Sony A57 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the NEX-C3 versus the A57.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony A57 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the NEX-C3 and A57 is 91 and 64 respectively.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its hard to see the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by checking out specs. The pic underneath will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the NEX-C3 and A57.

All in all, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the identical megapixels therefore you can expect comparable quality of photographs though you will want to take the launch date of the cameras into account. The more aged NEX-C3 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A57 as a Portrait photography camera
73
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
74
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Street photography factors
Sony A57 Street photography factors
79
screen tilts up and down
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than average (225 grams)
does not have image stabilization
75
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony NEX-C3
Sports photography with Sony A57
53
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great battery power (400 CIPA)
low frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
78
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A57 as a Travel photography camera
71
great battery power (400 shots)
lighter than average (225 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse recording
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
67
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
does not have Time Lapse function
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A57 Landscape photography highlights
70
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
great battery power (400 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse recording
72
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Vlogging advice
Sony A57 Vlogging advice
27
lighter than average (225g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
77
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic socket
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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-C3 and Sony A57
 Sony Alpha NEX-C3Sony SLT-A57
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Sony SLT-A57
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2011-08-22 2012-09-13
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4912 x 3264 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 12800 16000
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 25 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support Sony E Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 121 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Xtra Fine LCD Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 225g (0.50 pounds) 618g (1.36 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 73 75
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 13.0
DXO Low light rating 1083 785
Other
Battery life 400 shots 550 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NPFW50 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $343 $1,000