• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 125.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 365.0mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  •  

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-FX580S advantages over Sony NEX-C3

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    21 mm vs 33 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Sony NEX-C3 advantages over Panasonic DMC-FX580S

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.76 vs 1.53 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    16.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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 Panasonic DMC-FX580S

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Buy the Sony NEX-C3

Review Excerpt

  • 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 Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Panasonic DMC-FX580S
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch

Compare Panasonic DMC-FX580S vs Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Sony NEX-C3
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony NEX-C3 vs Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Compared to Canon SD960 IS

Panasonic DMC-FX580S
Canon SD960 IS
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Wider angle lens
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus

Compare Panasonic DMC-FX580S vs Canon SD960 IS

Sony NEX-C3
Canon SD960 IS
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony NEX-C3 vs Canon SD960 IS

Compared to Canon SD980 IS

Panasonic DMC-FX580S
Canon SD980 IS
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • HDMI out

Compare Panasonic DMC-FX580S vs Canon SD980 IS

Sony NEX-C3
Canon SD980 IS
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony NEX-C3 vs Canon SD980 IS

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Panasonic DMC-FX580S
Sony NEX-5N
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic DMC-FX580S 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

Panasonic DMC-FX580S
Sony NEX-5R
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic DMC-FX580S 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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