• APS-C 365.0mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  •  
  • 1 inch 115.3mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800

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Differences

Sony NEX-C3 advantages over Nikon S2

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.76 vs 2.85 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 vs 270 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/160 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Wider angle kit lens
    27 mm vs 30 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens

Nikon S2 advantages over Sony NEX-C3

  • Less expensive
    $450 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 5.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

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Buy the Sony NEX-C3

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Buy the Nikon S2
Kit with 11-27.5mm Lens
  • Kit with 11-27.5mm Lens
  • Kit with 11-27.5mm and 30-110mm Lenses
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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 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

Nikon S2
Sony NEX-5N
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon S2 vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Samsung NX200

Sony NEX-C3
Samsung NX200
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • More pixels

Compare Sony NEX-C3 vs Samsung NX200

Nikon S2
Samsung NX200
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon S2 vs Samsung NX200

Compared to 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

Nikon S2
Sony NEX-5R
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon S2 vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Pentax Q7

Sony NEX-C3
Pentax Q7
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Sony NEX-C3 vs Pentax Q7

Nikon S2
Pentax Q7
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon S2 vs Pentax Q7

Compared to Pentax Q-S1

Sony NEX-C3
Pentax Q-S1
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Sony NEX-C3 vs Pentax Q-S1

Nikon S2
Pentax Q-S1
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon S2 vs Pentax Q-S1

Compare Other Cameras?