Innovations in the compact camera segment are evolving at a breakneck pace. Sony continues to try and blur the distinction between compacts and DSLRs in terms of capabilities with its new second generation NEX camera. Sony first introduced its mirrorless range of cameras in 2010 with the 14 MP NEX-3 and NEX-5. It has followed up its commitment to provide APS-C sensors and interchangeable lens formats in the compact segment with the smaller but more powerful NEX-C3. It comes with a 16 MP sensor that boasts better power consumption features, lower noise and consequently improved temperature characteristics.
Features:
The NEX-C3 body weighs in at 225 g with battery and card, which is lower than most other cameras with similar features and size. The camera measures 110 x 60 x 33 mm. The kit options contains an amazingly compact 18-55mm zoom lens or the 16mm pancake primary lens. The body is polycarbonate with a metal top plate. Another design tweak that helps this camera achieve so much in spite of its small size is the screw-on flash unit that is included in the kit.
At first glance, the C3 has remarkably few buttons and controls on its body. Even the ones it does have are sparsely labeled. This is because Sony has been targeting the point-and-shoot user through its NEX series, and has designed the entire on-body controls with this in mind. The left and right buttons on the dial are customizable by the user. The few buttons that are there activate on-screen menus that you can navigate to assign and control functions.
The time from powering the camera on to taking the first shot is under 2 seconds, while shutter lag is below 0.5 seconds. Like most compacts, the C3 uses contrast detection to determine focus, which slows it down as little. A nice feature is the Direct Manual Focus that allows you to lock the autofocus and then use the focus ring on the lens to manually fine tune the focus. However, on the downside, this takes a little getting used to since you need to keep the shutter pressed down so that you donât lose the AF lock. Further, this works only if the camera finds an autofocus, while it is a feature that you will feel the need for most specifically in settings where the AF does not work.
High Points:
While it does not go below 200, the performance at the higher ISO range is impressive, with excellent resolution even at 12800. In terms of build and handling, it is a sturdy and comfortable camera. The picture modes offered have a lot of creative features built into them. The tiltable 3.0 in LCD display and the tiltable flash unit are a thoughtful design touch. The auto mode takes care of most issues that a point-and-shoot user would not want to bother about. The most impressive aspect of this camera is the amount of photography power (sensor size, manual controls and picture output) it packs in at both the price point and the size. The sweep panorama is a cool feature that lets you pan the camera while it automatically creates a panoramic shot output.
Low Points:
It is easy to find fault with compact cameras precisely because they are compact and are forced to compromise between size and features, The larger sensor size has not been capitalized on in the ISO settings available in auto mode. The ISO cap at 1600 in auto mode is a pity given the C3âs robust auto features. The camera has no optical viewfinder, something that is essential in strong daylight or glare situations. The external flash is underpowered and there is no hot shoe, ruling out the possibility of remote flash synchronization. Like most other cameras in the interchangeable lens compact category, this camera handles well with body only, and is a bit unwieldy even with the sleek zoom it ships with. The controls too are not easily accessible while shooting.
Price:
The Sony Alpha NEX-C3 is priced at $649 (with the 18-55 mm zoom lens).
