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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony ZV-E1

Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
 
Sony ZV-E1 front
Portability
80
Imaging
66
Features
89
Overall
75

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony ZV-E1 Key Specs

Sony NEX-C3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
  • Revealed August 2011
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-3
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-F3
Sony ZV-E1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 102400 (Expand to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 1920 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 483g - 121 x 72 x 54mm
  • Revealed March 2023
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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony ZV-E1 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony ZV-E1, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless and both are created by Sony. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the NEX-C3 (16MP) and ZV-E1 (12MP) and the NEX-C3 (APS-C) and ZV-E1 (Full frame) enjoy totally different sensor sizing.

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The NEX-C3 was brought out 12 years earlier than the ZV-E1 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a quick overview of how the NEX-C3 grades versus the ZV-E1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Sony ZV-E1

 NEX-C3 ZV-E1 

Reasons to pick Sony ZV-E1 over the Sony NEX-C3

 ZV-E1 NEX-C3 
RevealedMarch 2023August 2011More recent by 141 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k920kClearer screen (+117k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony NEX-C3 and Sony ZV-E1

 NEX-C3 ZV-E1 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen dimension3"3.00"Identical screen measurement

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony ZV-E1 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Sony NEX-C3 enjoys physical measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Sony ZV-E1 has dimensions of 121mm x 72mm x 54mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 2.1") having a weight of 483 grams (1.06 lbs).

Check the Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony ZV-E1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the NEX-C3 versus the ZV-E1.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony ZV-E1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the NEX-C3 and ZV-E1 is 91 and 80 respectively.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony ZV-E1 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony ZV-E1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to see the difference in sensor measurements just by researching a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the NEX-C3 and ZV-E1.

As you can see, both of these cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The NEX-C3 because of its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF more difficult and the Sony NEX-C3 will render extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older NEX-C3 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony ZV-E1 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony ZV-E1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony ZV-E1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Portrait photography factors
Sony ZV-E1 Portrait photography factors
73
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
71
manual focus
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes face detection focus
supports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony NEX-C3
Street photography with Sony ZV-E1
79
screen tilts
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition (225g)
no image stabilization
84
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
includes focus by touch
environment proof
lighter than competition in class (483 grams)
great ISO range (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Sports photography features
Sony ZV-E1 Sports photography features
53
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great battery (400 CIPA)
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect AF
71
quiet shutter (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
better than average battery pack (570 shots)
has phase detect auto focus
low max shutter speed (1/s)
MP count low (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony NEX-C3
Travel photography with Sony ZV-E1
71
great battery (400 per charge)
lighter than competition (225g)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
no Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
79
better than average battery pack (570 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (483 grams)
environment proof
has bluetooth
includes focus by touch
selfie friendly screen
MP count low (12MP)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography details
Sony ZV-E1 Landscape photography details
70
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
great battery (400 shots)
no image stabilization
no Time Lapse mode
79
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3.00 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
great ISO range (102,400)
supports RAW files
environment proof
better than average battery pack (570 shots)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-C3 Vlogging information
Sony ZV-E1 Vlogging information
27
lighter than competition (225g)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic jack
85
selfie friendly screen
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focus
video resolution high (3840 x 1920 resolution)
has external mic support
lighter than competition in class (483 grams)
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Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony ZV-E1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-C3 and Sony ZV-E1
 Sony Alpha NEX-C3Sony ZV-E1
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Sony ZV-E1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2011-08-22 2023-03-29
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4912 x 3264 4240 x 2832
Highest native ISO 12800 102400
Highest enhanced ISO - 409600
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Minimum enhanced ISO - 40
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 25 759
Lens
Lens mount Sony E Sony E
Amount of lenses 121 195
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inches 3.00 inches
Resolution of display 920k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Xtra Fine LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s -
Max quiet shutter speed - 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in no built-in flash
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 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) 3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XA3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1280x720 3840x1920
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 225 grams (0.50 lb) 483 grams (1.06 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") 121 x 72 x 54mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shots 570 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NPFW50 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) Yes
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $343 $2,198