Sony NEX-C3 vs Canon EOS Rebel XSi

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-C3 and Canon EOS Rebel XSi. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony NEX-C3 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS Rebel XSi is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.

Type of camera

Sony NEX-C3 is a Mirrorless camera while Canon EOS Rebel XSi is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony NEX-C3 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Canon EOS Rebel XSi has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Sony NEX-C3 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS Rebel XSi has 12,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Sony NEX-C3 has a 32 % larger resolution than Canon EOS Rebel XSi. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Sony NEX-C3 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS Rebel XSi. Sony NEX-C3 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Canon EOS Rebel XSi has 100 to 1600.

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony NEX-C3
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS Rebel XSi

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony NEX-C3 can shoot up to 5,5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS Rebel XSi can shoot up to 3,5 pictures per seconds.

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Sony NEX-C3. Unfortunately Canon EOS Rebel XSi does not support recording movies and movie clips.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS Rebel XSi weighs 524 gr (equal to 1.16 lb) which is 133% heavier than Sony NEX-C3 and its 225 gr (or 0.5 lb).

Sony NEX-C3 vs Canon EOS Rebel XSi Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony NEX-C3 and Canon EOS Rebel XSi, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product	Sony NEX-C3	Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Name	Sony NEX-C3	Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Manufacturer	Sony	Canon
Release Date and Price	Sony NEX-C3	Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Release Year	2011	2008
Release Date	2011-06-08	2008-01-24
MSRP	599 USD	799 USD
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Camera Type	Sony NEX-C3	Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Camera Type	Mirrorless	DSLR
Sensor	Sony NEX-C3	Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Sensor Size	APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)	APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type	CMOS	CMOS
Resolution	4912 x 3264 pixels	4272 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels	16 MP	12,2 MP
Image Processor	Bionz	DIGIC 3
Image	Sony NEX-C3	Canon EOS Rebel XSi
ISO Range	100 - 12800	100 - 1600
White Balance Presets	6	6
Custom White Balance	Yes	Yes
Image Stabilization	No	No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating	0 stops	0 stops
Uncompressed format	RAW	RAW
Optics & Focus	Sony NEX-C3	Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Autofocus Motor	Yes	Yes
Autofocus	Contract Detect (sensor) Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous LiveView	Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous
Focus Points	25	9
Lens Mount	Sony E See Compatible Lenses	Canon EF Canon EF-S See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier	APS-C Sensor (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm	APS-C Sensor 1.6x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 38 mm 50 mm becomes 80 mm 100 mm becomes 160 mm 200 mm becomes 320 mm
Screen & Viewfinder	Sony NEX-C3	Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Articulated LCD	Tilting	Fixed
Screen size	3”	3”
Screen dots	920000	230000
Touch screen	No	No
Screen type	TFT Xtra Fine LCD	N/A
Live view	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder Type	No Viewfinder	Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage		95%
Viewfinder Magnification		0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution	N/A	N/A
Photography features	Sony NEX-C3	Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Frames per second	5,5 fps	3,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed	30 seconds	30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed	1/4000 seconds	1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash	No	Yes
Built-in Flash Range	N/A	13 meters
External Flash	Yes	Yes
Self-Timer	Yes	Yes
Time-lapse	No	Yes
Metering modes	Multi Center Weighted Spot	Multi Center Weighted Partial
Exposure Compensation	+/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps)	+/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features	Sony NEX-C3	Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Video recording	Yes	No
Video format	MPEG4	N/A
Video resolution	1280 x 720	N/A
Built-in Microphone	No	No
Built-in Speakers	No	No
Storage	Sony NEX-C3	Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Memory Card	Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC	SD/SDHC
Connectivity	Sony NEX-C3	Canon EOS Rebel XSi
HDMI Output	Yes	No
Microphone Port	No	No
Headphone Port	No	No
Wireless	Yes Eye-Fi Connected	No
Remote Control	No	Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed)
GPS	No	No
Body & Dimensions	Sony NEX-C3	Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Enviromentally sealed	No	No
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	Lithium-Ion NP-FW50 rechargeable battery & charger	Battery Pack LP-E5
Battery Life (CIPA)	400 shots	600 shots
Width	110 mm	129 mm
Height	60 mm	98 mm
Depth	33 mm	62 mm
Weight	225 gram	524 gram