A leading producer of software for photography share their testing results on DxOMark showing the NEX-C3 successfully brings the performance of a DSLR to a compact camera.
The size and apparent complexity of DSLRs intimidates some casual photographers, yet they still desire DSLR quality images. Camera manufacturers are developing mirrorless intechangeable lens cameras to fill this need.
“Building on the success of last year’s α NEX launch, the new NEX-C3 model takes the idea of ‘small camera body, SLR-quality photos’ to a whole new level,” said Kristen Elder, director of the alpha digital imaging business at Sony. “This camera’s brand new, large CMOS sensor and user-friendly interface will allow all photographers, regardless of experience level, to produce unique, custom-styled photographs.”
Sony say the NEX-C3 is “ the world's smallest, lightest interchangeable lens camera with APS-C size sensor.” To keep their NEX series cameras compact Sony did away with the optical viewfinder system of DSLRs, and saved space by not having a pentaprism and the moving mirror.
Sony managed to squeeze one of their newest high performance APS-C sensors into the NEX-C3 to give it even better DSLR image quality. The older NEX-3 has a14 megapixel sensor. The NEX-C3‘s new 16 megapixel CMOS digital sensor has excellent resolution, and in the DxOMark lab the tests show that there has been no loss image quality with the increase in resolution.
One casualty of the drive for compactness is the absence of any form of viewfinder. Some similar cameras such as the new Panasonic G3 have electronic viewfinders. While many potential NEX-C3 owners are used to the awkward process using the rear LCD screen for composing and taking photographs, it does present problems in bright light or when the camera needs to be held securely to minimise blurriness due to camera shake. Sony make an accessory optical viewfinder for NEX series cameras to address this problem.
In the DxOMark Lab
The new NEX-C3 has an overall DxOMark score of 73 in the sensor tests compared with its predecessor, the 14 megapixel NEX-3, which scored 68 in the lab tests.
This is not a large difference, but increasing the number of megapixels on a digital sensor produces an increase in digital noise in the image. Having more megapixels can also degrade colour depth and dynamic range. The DxOMark tests show Sony produced their new sensor with improvements in these areas that overcame any potential losses due to having more megapixels.
The DxOMark tests support Sony’s claim that the NEX-C3 offers “SLR like photos.” Comparing the NEX-C3 with two DLSRs with APS-C sensors shows the NEX-C3 is the same or better for sensor performance.
Probably the digital sensors in the Sony Alpha 55, and the Pentax K5, are the same as the sensor in the NEX-C3. The slight differences in the test results are because DxOMark analyse the RAW image data from the camera. The processing system for each camera collects and manages the RAW data differently and this influences image quality.
According to the DxOMark lab tests the NEX-C3 has less digital image noise than the old model. The Sony NEX-C3 has an edge in the DxOMark tests over two other big sensor interchangeable lens mirrorless cameras, the Samsung NX10 and the Olympus PEN EP2.
The Sony NEX-C3 has a greater dynamic range. This gives photographers more exposure flexibility when there is bright sunlight and dark shadows. Particularly if they save their image files in RAW format, photographers can take advantage of the extra dynamic range using digital photo lab programs such as DxO Optics Pro to improve their image quality.
Lenses for the NEX-C3
In a camera where size is an important design factor the size of the Sony lenses becomes an issue. Their 18-55 zoom lens looks rather large mounted on the NEX-C3, but Sony also make a compact lens, the Sony 16mm F/2.8 E-mount. This lens keeps the camera and lens slim so the NEX-C3 can slip in and out of pockets and purses.
Sony currently have a range of four lenses made for the smaller E mount used on their mirrorless cameras. However, there is an optional adaptor that fits all Sony and Minolta full size autofocus lens on the NEX-C3.
One result of the camera size is that the NEX series cameras are too slim for a conventional hot shoe or inbuilt flash. Sony supply a separate flash, that uses the special smart accessory mount, with the camera.
No Viewfinder
Holding the NEX-C3 steady could be a problem in low light, or with longer focal length lenses. There is an optional clip on optical viewfinder for the NEX series, but it does stick out, making the camera less convenient to carry with it fitted. The NEX-C3’s low noise helps photographers to use higher ISO settings and faster shutter speeds to reduce the effects camera shake.
Pricing and Availability
Sony says the new NEX-C3 will be available this August in silver, black and pink with an 18-55mm kit zoom lens (model SEL1855) and will cost about $US650. It will also be offered in black only with a 16mm lens (model SEL16F28) for about $US600.
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