Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a390

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-C3 and Sony a390. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony NEX-C3 were released 2011 and Sony a390 was released 2010. 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
Sony a390 2010

Type of camera

Sony NEX-C3 is a Mirrorless camera while Sony a390 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Sony APS-C") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony NEX-C3 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Sony a390 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** 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)

Resolution

Sony NEX-C3 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a390 has 14 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
Sony a390 14 MP
14033152 pixels
4592 x 3056

Sony NEX-C3 has a 14 % larger resolution than Sony a390. 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 Sony a390. Sony NEX-C3 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Sony a390 has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony NEX-C3 100-12800
Sony a390 100-3200

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 Sony a390

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 Sony a390 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony NEX-C3 5,5
Sony a390 2,5

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 Sony a390 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.

Sony a390 weighs 549 gr (equal to 1.21 lb) which is 144% heavier than Sony NEX-C3 and its 225 gr (or 0.5 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony NEX-C3 225 gr
0.5 lb
Sony a390 549 gr
1.21 lb

Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony a390 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony NEX-C3 and Sony a390, 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
Sony a390
Name Sony NEX-C3 Sony a390
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony NEX-C3
Sony a390
Release Year 2011 2010
Release Date 2011-06-08 2010-06-09
MSRP 599 USD 599 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony NEX-C3
Sony a390
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony NEX-C3
Sony a390
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CCD
Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 4592 x 3056 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 14 MP
Image Processor Bionz Bionz
Image
Sony NEX-C3
Sony a390
ISO Range 100 - 12800 100 - 3200
White Balance Presets 6 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony NEX-C3
Sony a390
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 25 9
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Sony A

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 (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony NEX-C3
Sony a390
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3” 2.7”
Screen dots 920000 230400
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 0.74× (0.49× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony NEX-C3
Sony a390
Frames per second 5,5 fps 2,5 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 10 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony NEX-C3
Sony a390
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
Sony a390
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony NEX-C3
Sony a390
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
No
Remote Control No Yes (Optional)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony NEX-C3
Sony a390
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FW50 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion NP-FH50 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 400 shots 230 shots
Width 110 mm 128 mm
Height 60 mm 97 mm
Depth 33 mm 86 mm
Weight 225 gram 549 gram