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The Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Digital Camera with 16mm Wide-Angle Lens gives you the versatility of a larger SLR digital camera but in a compact, lightweight form factor. Perfect for traveling, parties, or any time you don't want to carry a bulky camera around your neck, the NEX-C3 is a styling piece with enticing lines and an understated, yet modern design. But it's not just appealing in the looks department, the NEX-C3 backs up that enticing style with a 16.2Mp sensor and a BIONZ image processor that enable RAW image capture, a 3.0" LCD screen with TruBlack technology, and 1080/60i HD movie mode with Live View. The included 16 mm f/2.8 lens is equivalent to a 24 mm wide-angle lens in the 35 mm format.
Perhaps most notable though, is the NEX-C3's ability to interchange lenses. The camera comes with a 16mm wide-angle lens included to get you started shooting from day one with a lens that makes easy work of large group shots, tight interiors, and sweeping vistas. However, any of the Sony E-mount or A-mount lenses will work with the NEX-C3, allowing you to stock up your lens arsenal for whatever the shoot calls for, knowing you'll able to able to capture it all without being weighed down by a heavy camera body.
Among the plethora of features and functions, Sony gave the NEX-C3 a 25-point auto focus to ensure that your images will be accurate and precise no matter what the situation. Other features designed to keep your images looking sharp include face detection, smile shutter, and image stabilization. While the camera provides manual options for shooting it also makes things super-simple for those times when you just want to snap away. The numerous auto scene modes can take all the guesswork out of shooting, turning the NEX-C3 into a point-and-shoot when that's what you want.
| Imaging | |
|---|---|
| Lens Mount | Sony E Mount |
| Camera Format | APS-C (1.5x Crop Factor) |
| Resolution |
Effective Pixels: 16.2 Megapixels Max Resolution: 16 MP: 4912 x 3264 |
| Sensor Type / Size | CMOS, 23.5 x 15.6 mm |
| File Formats |
Still Images: JPEG, RAW Movies: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 Audio: AAC |
| Memory Card Type |
Memory Stick PRO HG-Duo Memory Stick Pro Duo SD SDHC SDXC |
| AV Recording | |
|---|---|
| Video Recording | Yes, NTSC |
| Aspect Ratio | 4:3, 16:9 |
| Audio Recording | With Video, Stereo |
| Focus Control | |
|---|---|
| Focus Type | Auto & Manual |
| Focus Mode | Single-servo AF (S), Continuous-servo AF (C), Manual Focus (M) |
| Autofocus Points | 25 |
| Viewfinder/Display | |
|---|---|
| Display Screen | 3" Rear Screen Tilting LCD (921600) |
| Screen Coverage | 100% |
| Live View | Yes |
| Exposure Control | |
|---|---|
| ISO Sensitivity | 200-12800 |
| Shutter |
Type: Electronic Speed: 30 - 1/4000 sec |
| Metering Method | Spot metering, Center-weighted average metering, Multi-zone metering |
| Exposure Modes |
Modes: Aperture Priority, Auto, Manual, Shutter Priority Compensation: -2 EV to +2 EV (in 0.33 EV steps) |
| White Balance Modes | Auto, Cloudy, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Kelvin, Shade, Preset Manual |
| Flash | |
|---|---|
| Max Sync Speed | 1 / 160 sec |
| Continuous Shooting | Up to 10 fps |
| External Flash Connection | Proprietary |
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Self Timer | 2 sec, 10 sec |
| Connectivity | AV Output, HDMI C (Mini), USB 2.0 |
| Software Requirements |
Windows: XP (SP3), Vista (SP2), 7 Mac: OS X 10.3 or later |
| Power | |
|---|---|
| Battery | 1x NP-FW50 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 4.31 x 2.36 x 1.30" / 10.96 x 6.0 x 3.30 cm |
| Weight | 7.9 oz / 224 g Camera body only |
| Kit Lens | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length |
16 mm Comparable APS-C Focal Length: 24 mm |
| Aperture |
Maximum: f/2.8 Minimum: f/22 |
| Angle of View | 83° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 9.4" (23.88 cm) |
| Magnification | 0.073x |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 1:13.6 |
| Groups/Elements | 5/5 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Filter Thread | Front: 49 mm |
| Dimensions (DxL) | Approx. 0.89 x 2.44" (2.26 x 6.20 cm) |
| Weight | 2.47 oz (70 g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
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Most Liked Positive Review
NEX-C3 for amateurs only?
---non native English speaker, efforts required----
I owned a Sony NEX5 before buying this camera. I decided to change, after one year, due to the fact that it ...Read complete review
---non native English speaker, efforts required----
I owned a Sony NEX5 before buying this camera. I decided to change, after one year, due to the fact that it was a Japanese only menu version. I can't deal with it anymore..
Anyway, this camera is even better - cheaper, smaller, faster. I don't feel at all the difference in terms of construction. I use it only with the 16mm prime lens. The ISO capability still surprise me quite often. I own a EOS 5Dii with a bunch of top primes from Canon and Zeiss. I only see the optical quality of the lens that can be improved but, for this price range, come on!
I don't do pro videos, but I will buy the external mic to improve the sound recording.
I use it on aperture mode all the time, auto ISO most of the time and I set a permanent exposure bias of 1/3 or 1/2 as default. I like very much the possibility to adjust the focus manually, with the camera showing a magnified view as soon you turn the focus ring on the lens - easy and fast.
voilà.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Good, but not Great
I purchased this camera because I wanted something compact that would resemble my dSLR (Canon 5D2) more than it does my compact camera (Casio S10). Although the fast focus/shutter had that dSLR...Read complete review
I purchased this camera because I wanted something compact that would resemble my dSLR (Canon 5D2) more than it does my compact camera (Casio S10). Although the fast focus/shutter had that dSLR feel, the picture quality just wasn't there.
I tried shooting RAW, but the Sony software was a pain to use... so I ended up using JPGs instead. The default Dynamic Range optimizer made the color too vivid and skin tones harsh. Note that you can change with the settings to get more "natural" colors.
The other features, such as Auto-HDR were nice and I could see this camera being better with one of the nicer lenses, but it would no longer be "compact" if it was.
Overall, I'd recommend an entry level dSLR over this camera.
Reviewed by 12 customers
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Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Digital Camera with 16mm Wide-Angle Lens (Black):
I love that this cammera is small enough to put in a pocket. It has the performance and veratility of a DSLR, but is much smaller. The 16mm wide angle is great for indoor shots. It gives very low noise at high ISO so that you can take good shots in very low light without flash.
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Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Digital Camera with 16mm Wide-Angle Lens (Black):
I bought this to replace an NEX-3 I thought was having problems - it turned up that it was the SD card that died. The C3 is very similar to the 3, but just a little smaller. It is faster in bootup and other operations. I tested the 16mm lens side by side with the one I had and there was no difference that I could detect, a great deal as a knock around wide angle, and good enough when properly processed in RAW converter. Overall this is a great combination and a fairly inexpensive way to enter the whole system of thin bodied interchangeable lens world of making use of so many fine manual lenses at bargain prices!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Digital Camera with 16mm Wide-Angle Lens (Black):
I needed a camera that was small but took good low light photos without flash. I was blown away by the low light settings as I got great shots not possible without a large sensor and high ISO settings.
I was initially concerned about the 16mm lens distortion but with RAW files and LR4 acceptable corrections are only a click away.
Pros
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Best Uses
Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Digital Camera with 16mm Wide-Angle Lens (Black):
I'm pleased with this purchase. I wanted a smallish camera package for travel, but access to manual control and good image quality, and this delivers well. The 16mm lens is not the best or most versatile option, but works well for what I need/want. (I am looking forward to the predicted longer focal length pancake lens that is on the sony roadmap.) With the compact body and smallish lens, I can easily carry this camera in a jacket pocket or small purse.
A feature that I didn't think I would use but have been pleasantly surprised by is the tilting screen. It seems sturdy, not likely to break, and I've used it several times now for shooting low or high.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Digital Camera with 16mm Wide-Angle Lens (Black):
---non native English speaker, efforts required----
I owned a Sony NEX5 before buying this camera. I decided to change, after one year, due to the fact that it was a Japanese only menu version. I can't deal with it anymore..
Anyway, this camera is even better - cheaper, smaller, faster. I don't feel at all the difference in terms of construction. I use it only with the 16mm prime lens. The ISO capability still surprise me quite often. I own a EOS 5Dii with a bunch of top primes from Canon and Zeiss. I only see the optical quality of the lens that can be improved but, for this price range, come on!
I don't do pro videos, but I will buy the external mic to improve the sound recording.
I use it on aperture mode all the time, auto ISO most of the time and I set a permanent exposure bias of 1/3 or 1/2 as default. I like very much the possibility to adjust the focus manually, with the camera showing a magnified view as soon you turn the focus ring on the lens - easy and fast.
voilà.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Digital Camera with 16mm Wide-Angle Lens (Black):
I used the camera all my trip in USA with my two daugthers. It was marvelous!!!!! The trip and the camera. The lens are easy to change, zoom excelent, wide angle lens amazing!
I recommend.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Digital Camera with 16mm Wide-Angle Lens (Black):
Easy to use and the results are very satisfatory. Anybody can use it. i'm happy with this product.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Digital Camera with 16mm Wide-Angle Lens (Black):
It is amazing the large camera features they crammed into this compact little camera.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Digital Camera with 16mm Wide-Angle Lens (Black):
The camera was very easy to pack into the wilderness due to its compact design. Photos were extremely high quality, even in poor light.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Digital Camera with 16mm Wide-Angle Lens (Black):
I purchased this camera because I wanted something compact that would resemble my dSLR (Canon 5D2) more than it does my compact camera (Casio S10). Although the fast focus/shutter had that dSLR feel, the picture quality just wasn't there.
I tried shooting RAW, but the Sony software was a pain to use... so I ended up using JPGs instead. The default Dynamic Range optimizer made the color too vivid and skin tones harsh. Note that you can change with the settings to get more "natural" colors.
The other features, such as Auto-HDR were nice and I could see this camera being better with one of the nicer lenses, but it would no longer be "compact" if it was.
Overall, I'd recommend an entry level dSLR over this camera.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Digital Camera with 16mm Wide-Angle Lens (Black):
I am a super amateur, but I love the look of SLR photos but hate the bulk! This is all I ever wanted, the bulk is gone and the pictures are stunning and it fits in my pocket! LOVE IT!!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Digital Camera with 16mm Wide-Angle Lens (Black):
this compact camera has been great to lug on hiking trips and just to families houses for fun pics. the video is rather impressive as well, always staying in focus. we also have a nikon d90 but i find them very comparible besides that the sony is a little harder to get to certain controles. the low light settings are great for random inside pictures.
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