Canon T1i vs Sony NEX-C3

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Canon T1i vs Sony NEX-C3

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APS-C 332.3mm²
15.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Canon T1i Review.
See real-world photos taken with the T1i.

APS-C 365.0mm²
16.2 megapixels

Go in depth with our full Sony NEX-C3 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the NEX-C3.

Succeeded by the Canon T2i
Compare T1i vs T2i
Compare Canon T2i vs Sony NEX-C3

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Differences

Canon T1i advantages over Sony NEX-C3

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 1.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Less shutter lag
0.16 vs 0.43 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 10 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony NEX-C3 advantages over Canon T1i

Less expensive
$600 vs $900 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
NEX-C3 test data on DxO Mark T1i test data on DxO Mark

1,083 vs 663 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
33 mm vs 61 mm
Thinner
Faster JPEG shooting
5.5 fps vs 3.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Canon T1i

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Buy the Sony NEX-C3

Review Excerpt

Read our Canon T1i Full Review

Very small body, refined build. Large sensor for good light gathering. Various low-light shooting modes to improve results. HD video mode with real-time autofocus.
Menu-driven interface is sometimes confusing, making quickly finding what you want difficult. Camera may be too small for some.
Read our Sony NEX-C3 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon XSi

Canon T1i

Canon XSi

$900
APS-C

Fast startup
HDMI out

$649
APS-C

Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon T1i vs Canon XSi

Sony NEX-C3

Canon XSi

$559
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$649
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-C3 vs Canon XSi

Compared to Sony DSLR-A350

Canon T1i

Sony DSLR-A350

$900
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$900
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T1i vs Sony DSLR-A350

Sony NEX-C3

Sony DSLR-A350

$559
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$900
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony DSLR-A350

Compared to Pentax K2000

Canon T1i

Pentax K2000

$900
APS-C

HDMI out
More dots on screen

$556
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

Compare Canon T1i vs Pentax K2000

Sony NEX-C3

Pentax K2000

$559
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$556
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-C3 vs Pentax K2000

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Canon T1i

Sony NEX-5N

$900
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon T1i vs Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-C3

Sony NEX-5N

$559
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$700
APS-C

Shoots 24p video
Shoots 1080p video

Compare Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Canon T1i

Sony NEX-5R

$900
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$499
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Canon T1i vs Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-C3

Sony NEX-5R

$559
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony NEX-5R

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