Sony Alpha NEX-C3

297 reviews

Jun, 2013

Positive
Lens (35)
Performance (27)
Value for money (22)
Responsiveness (20)
Battery (17)

Negative
Viewfinder (5)
Stabilizer (5)
Features (2)

General overview
Price comparison
Product Specifications

alaTest has collected and analyzed 297 reviews from magazines and websites. Reviewers really like the battery and responsiveness. The value for money and performance also get good comments, but the focus and flash get mixed reviews. The features and image stabilizer get negative opinions.

lens, performance, value for money, responsiveness, battery

usability, viewfinder, stabilizer , features

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Compact System Cameras the Sony Alpha NEX-C3 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 88/100 = Very good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 297 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

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Show all 5 star reviews (38% of reviews)
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Features

Lens
Show positive (18%)Show negative (4%)(Show all)

Performance
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Value for money
Show positive (29%)Show negative (13%)(Show all)

Responsiveness
Show positive (75%)Show negative (8%)(Show all)

Battery
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More features

Showing 188 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

Showing 1 - 10 of 188 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (114)

dpreview.com - SILVER AWARD

Expert review by: Kelcey Smith with additional material byRichard Bu (dpreview.com)

Sony Alpha NEX-C3

The NEX-C3 is the first of Sony's second generation of mirrorless cameras, following the introduction of the 14MP NEX-3 and NEX-5 in mid-2010. If these first two models showed how committed Sony is to offering APS-C capabilities in a compact form...

Improved interface with increased customization options compared to NEX-3/5 ; High resolution sensor with excellent High ISO performance ; Very good JPEG output quality ; Very good build quality ; Versatile, high-resolution LCD screen ; Easy to use but...

iAuto mode does not take full advantage of the large sensor's low-light capability. (ISO is capped at 1600) ; Optional flash is underpowered (and adds bulk) ; Auto HDR is only available while shooting in JPEG only modes ; Operation is very different in...

The NEX-C3, like its predecessors the NEX-3/5, is a well built, easy to use interchangeable lens camera. The NEX-C3 is capable of image quality that rivals the best of its APS-C DSLR competition while being significantly smaller and lighter. As well as...

Aug, 2011

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Expert review by: Dan Havlik (wired.com)

Sony's Compact System Camera Has Enough Skill to Perform on Broadway

The Sony NEX-C3 is absurdly small considering what's packed inside. We tested it at a rehearsal for a Broadway musical, where it showed off some nimble moves.

Incredibly small and light, considering the large sensor and bevy of features inside. Excellent low light performance with DSLR-like low noise images at high ISOs. Tilting 3-inch LCD screen for composing over-the-head “Hail Mary” shots is helpful....

Loses much of its portability with even a basic zoom kit lens attached. Too many menus to dig through to change functions. More experienced photographers may find the simplified settings condescending. HD video mode only goes to 720p

Jul, 2011

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Expert review by: Lori Grunin (cnet.com)

Sony Alpha NEX-C3 (with 16mm lens, Black)

Now in its second generation, the NEX line has proven to be popular; I generally liked the NEX-5 (we never reviewed the NEX-3) thanks to excellent photo quality and an attractive, compact design, though I still think the line is a bit expensive for...

Compact and attractive, with a tilting LCD and excellent photo quality, the Sony Alpha NEX-C3 has some compelling aspects

With the 18-55mm lens the camera becomes substantially less compact, there's no EVF option, and the video capabilities are more limited than I'd expect for the price

A lot of people will like the Sony Alpha NEX-C3 for its excellent photo quality and a now more usable design, but it can get unexpectedly heavy with the zoom E-mount lenses and it's still a bit more expensive than many point-and-shoot upgraders will like.

Jul, 2011

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Expert review by: Zach Honig (engadget.com)

Sony NEX-C3

Traditionally known as DSLRs, interchangeable lens cameras (ILC) have always promised excellent image quality, speed, and versatility. But their enormous size and weight, lofty price tags, and intimidating design have forced casual photographers to...

Affordable price ; Incredible image quality ; Compact, attractive design

Limited lens selection ; No 1080p video capture ; Proprietary accessory connector

Jul, 2011

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Expert review by: Jeremy Stamas (reviewed.com)

Sony NEX-C3

The Alpha NEX-C3 is the cheapest of Sony's NEX interchangeable lens cameras. For around $600 bucks you can shoot 720p HD video with a new NEX-C3 and an 18-55mm kit lens. While that is Sony's cheapest NEX option, it is only around $50 dollars less than...

The NEX-C3 did reasonably well in our video tests, but the camera is not a top choice for someone looking to primarily shoot video. The camera tops out with a 1280 × 720 video resolution, which is technically HD, but is not the same resolution as Full...

May, 2012

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Expert review by: Jeremy Stamas (camcorderinfo.com)

Sony Alpha NEX-C3Digital Camera Review

What follows is a quick overview of the video capabilities of the Sony Alpha NEX-C3. Read our comprehensive analysis and testing results in greater detail at DigitalCameraInfo.com.

May, 2012

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Expert review by: Eric Reagan (photographybay.com)

Sony NEX-C3

The Sony NEX-C3 rounds out the bottom end of the NEX line; however, it's still quite the full-featured camera. I've already raved about the Sony NEX-5n (aside from a now-fixed problem with the audio capture in movie mode). The NEX-C3 is just as...

Apr, 2012

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Expert review by: Philip Ryan (popphoto.com)

Camera Test: sony NEX–C3 ILC

More megapixels for Sony's latest NEX

Sep, 2011

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Expert review by: Vic (technoodling.net)

Sony Alpha NEX-C3 digital camera review

The Sony Alpha NEX-C3 interchangeable lens camera is the world's smallest, lightest, interchangeable lens camera with an APS-C sensor. With an effective 16.2 megapixel resolution, it produces terrific image and 720P HD video, as well as SLR-quality...

excellent image quality ; sensor size comparable to most consumer SLR cameras ; more portable than a full-on SLR rig but as friendly to use as a pocket camera ; Sony going for compatibility: video mode records in MP4 instead of AVCHD, camera takes SD...

limited selection of lenses in the Sony E-mount range thus far ; bundled external flash is fiddly and probably won’t be mounted when you need it ; form factor a little awkward, might take getting used to ; image stabilization not built into the body,...

To be honest, I’ve never really paid much attention to Sony cameras before. In my mind (and possibly that of others) they haven’t quite reached the same tier as photography giants like Canon or Nikon, or even other smaller but well respected brands...

Aug, 2011

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Expert review by: George Schaub (shutterbug.com)

Sony NEX-C3

The Sony NEX-C3 is an ultra-compact camera with an interchangeable lens system. It offers 16 MP resolution, a swivel monitor, only very few function elements/buttons and is able to record still and video images. The Sony NEX-C3 is an ultra compact CSC...

Very compact camera system. (Body almost looks “too small” for the lens systems) ; Easy handling for beginners, but not as flexible or handy as a real SLR system with a lot of function elements ; Panorama mode, 3D panorama and HD video (1280 x 720...

Missing integrated image stabilizer; camera needs lenses with optical image stabilizer ; Missing flash system (optional flash with special interface available, no standard or ADI flash shoe)

Aug, 2011