Sony NEX-C3 vs Nikon D600

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-C3 and Nikon D600. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony NEX-C3 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D600 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony NEX-C3 were released 2011 and Nikon D600 was released 2012. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony NEX-C3 2011
Nikon D600 2012

Type of camera

Sony NEX-C3 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D600 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 Nikon D600 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony NEX-C3 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D600 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** 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 (Nikon)

Resolution

Sony NEX-C3 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D600 has 24,3 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony NEX-C3 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264
Nikon D600 24,3 MP
24160256 pixels
6016 x 4016

Nikon D600 has a 51 % larger resolution than Sony NEX-C3. 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 Nikon D600. Sony NEX-C3 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D600 has 100 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Sony NEX-C3 100-12800
Nikon D600 100-6400

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 Nikon D600

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 Nikon D600 can shoot up to 5,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony NEX-C3 5,5
Nikon D600 5,5

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Sony NEX-C3 and Nikon D600 can shoot movies.

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.

Nikon D600 weighs 760 gr (equal to 1.68 lb) which is 238% heavier than Sony NEX-C3 and its 225 gr (or 0.5 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony NEX-C3 225 gr
0.5 lb
Nikon D600 760 gr
1.68 lb

Sony NEX-C3 vs Nikon D600 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony NEX-C3 and Nikon D600, 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
Nikon D600
Name Sony NEX-C3 Nikon D600
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony NEX-C3
Nikon D600
Release Year 2011 2012
Release Date 2011-06-08 2012-09-13
MSRP 599 USD 2099 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony NEX-C3
Nikon D600
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony NEX-C3
Nikon D600
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 6016 x 4016 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 24,3 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED 3
Image
Sony NEX-C3
Nikon D600
ISO Range 100 - 12800 100 - 6400
White Balance Presets 6 12
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
Nikon D600
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 25 39
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

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
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony NEX-C3
Nikon D600
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3,2”
Screen dots 920000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT Xtra Fine LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type No Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony NEX-C3
Nikon D600
Frames per second 5,5 fps 5,5 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 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony NEX-C3
Nikon D600
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Sony NEX-C3
Nikon D600
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony NEX-C3
Nikon D600
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Optional with WU-1B mobile adapter
Remote Control No Yes (Optional, wired or wireless )
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Sony NEX-C3
Nikon D600
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FW50 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 400 shots 900 shots
Width 110 mm 141 mm
Height 60 mm 113 mm
Depth 33 mm 82 mm
Weight 225 gram 760 gram