Customer Ratings & Reviews

So here's the deal, I've been a practicing professional photographer for 15 years now. I operate on the commercial side of the photography world, shooting for tons of international organizations. I teach photography all over the world and frequently lead expeditions to Tahiti, Africa, Middle East, etc. So why am I telling you all of this? So that when you read this, you understand that I am speaking from a position of real world experience, not marketing hype. To keep this review from getting too windy, I will only focus on the areas that actually matter. The most impressive thing is the NEX sensor. I shoot using $2500 Sony A900's exclusively and can tell you that the Exmor sensor is a thing of beauty. The digital noise on low light, high ISO shots is impressive. It rivals my A900, seriously. With 16.2 megapixels one would think that the overloaded CMOS would have tons of high noise, such was common with the A700 sensor. This is not the case with the C3, this camera is a thing of beauty when the lights go low revealing rich blacks and bright whites..which is hard to do for any camera. If you shoot in RAW and perform a very basic noise reduction process in Lightroom, you will have a pro level shot equalling the noise dynamics of a commercial grade shot. This is a very impressive thing. This camera performs well, shooting 5.5 frames per second, which is on par with my A900 as well. If you shoot in RAW, you will notice a slight lag over shooting JPEG. Not a deal breaker though..matter a fact, most folks won't even notice the difference. Why does performance matter?Why is a Porshce better than a Buick? Performance matters when you are looking to take photos of fast moving objects and don't want them to blur, i.e. kids, animals, etc. Critics would argue that all you have to do is adjust the shutter speed to make this happen on ANY camera. I disagree. The Sony makes it worth it since it will auto detect the scene you are looking at and adjust all the setting for you so that when you pull the "trigger" all the guess work is gone. Notice how your $150 Nikon, Sony, Canon, Olympus, etc. always blurs anytime you take a photo of your kid or dog? That is quickly fixed with this camera. The size on this camera becomes the entire reason it exists. You are able to have a 3/4 CMOS that can essentially fit in your wife's purse. For a guy who carries around a backpack full of photography gear that rivals anything the US Military troops have strapped to their backs, I can tell you that this was a huge selling point for me. I bought this camera for my wife, so that she could have something that would be light, quick and easy to use but if warranted, could still use my $2000.00 Sony 70-200G SSM lens if she wanted to (Adapter not included). The real world application of attaching a 6 pound lens to a half pound camera has not been explored yet, but I presume it will be less useful than I imagine...but either way, its pretty neat to know that I can attach any of my Sony lenses to this camera if I want. Overall, for $600 you have many of the same features as found in my A900. While it's hard to compare the two, and you really can't compare them, there are some impressive similarities that exist regardless. In the end, the new NEX lines of cameras will likely be looked at in the exact same way that the flat screen TV was looked at when it was first introduced 10+ years ago....GROUND BREAKING! If you are looking to compare Nikon's version of this camera, stop looking. The Nikon lacks many of the necessary features that make this genera of camera worth the increased cost. Low noise success and speed are critical items that the SONY does better than anyone else...at least at this point. Buy it if you want a compact camera that will perform to the level of a entry level DSLR without all the size and weight. Don't buy it if you are looking for a semi-pro or pro level DSLR...this camera cannot deliver in that arena of photography. With that being said, the new Sony NEX 7 can. So where the C3 fails, the $1400 NEX 7 does not. For me, I fell happy giving Sony more of my money for a number of reasons, but really, the most important one is for the simple fact that Sony designers and engineers are designing the future of photography and are doing it in a very impressive way. Good luck!

Well, first of all, I am no expert, but this camera has put my other previous cameras to shame. It is a great step up from a digital camera and also a great step down from a DSLR. Battery life: Could be a lot longer. It takes about 4hours to charger for the first time, and the battery only lasts an hour or so without turning off the camera. Not as good as I wanted for HD recording, since that uses up even more of the battery on continuous shoot. It uses about 1% of the battery per picture and perhaps 1.4% on HD video. Replacement batteries are very expensive, and overall the battery is very heavy and adds to the already heavy camera. Quality: The camera itself is anything but cheaply made. Almost the whole thing is metal, except for the USB port covers. (I was a little scared that it would snap off after opening it, but you have to be very careful when closing it.) The buttons are easy to push, and the spin dial is a very nice and helpful feature. However, if you don't already know this, it is vital to hold the shutter down half way (to focus# before actually taking the picture. Features: It has a useful variety of features, but doesn't take pictures of the moon and stars very well, and the camera has to be completely still when shooting. I find this to be an unfortunate downfall in the overall camera, and is not recommended for sports or other high action photographers. Zoom: I expected a little better to be honest. Sure the lens is huge, and both the zoom and focus dials are helpful and easy to use. Ease of use: I give it a 9/10. Based on other reviews, it sounds like this camera was built for amateurs, like me. I have owned a Kodak Easy share an was very happy with it #I spent roughly $99 on it in 2009 and this camera is a great update# It is very easy to figure out and the manual is very helpful. Another great feature is the built in suggestions. Therefore, if you are having trouble or are looking for a quick tip, using the button closest to the bottom, it will suggest something for you to do, so that the picture will turn out brighter/clearer/etc. Overall: This is a great camera and I would recommend this to a friend. I spent only $371 # I got it on sale at my local BestBuy) and for both amateurs and professionals, this is a great choice all around. Thanks for reading!

First of all i tried 3 different compact camera systems at bestbuy, panasonic gf3, olympus e-pm1, sony nex-5n and this sony nex-c3, for the price and the look and picure quality i was torn i between the olympus e-pm1 and this sony nex-c3, when compared the 2 together, i decided to buy the sony nex-c3, i could not be more than happy with my decision because right out of the box, the user interface, feel of the camera body and the lens, and all the pictures i took wowed me more than what i was expecting. Its a very good looking camera with a really high end specs and picture quality. Creativity and Possibilities of this camera when taking pictures is endless and with manual controls with a very intuitive interface will definitely get you learning some tips and trick how to capture great pictures! I have the Nikon d5100 also and this Sony Nex-c3 is my buddy on a regular basis because of the size and sexiness of how it looks! If you are looking for a ILC for less than a price range and size of an entry level DSLR but wanting High quality photo and video and a fun camera to use, i would absolutely recommend this product, most websites who reviewed this camera always has one thing to say "excellent picture quality"

I bought this camera for my passion for photography. I have shot weddings with dslr cameras and it was spectacular, but the size and the bulkiness of them was frustrating. I searched online and found these compact size cameras that do the same as dslrs without the bulkiness so i found the nikon compact size and let me tell you it was a terrible and downgrading. I read the reviews and it was expensive and bad everyone returned it. I found this sony for a cheaper price. Sure enough i went the next day to best buy and fell in love. The photos are so crisp and sharp. The settings it gives you beats every camera by a mile! Its so easy to use a toddler can take photos. I love it as well because the camera has so many different add-ons like a ar-15. If your looking for a camera that does everything that a dslr does buy this one. The size and weight is great, the ergonomics are sweet, and over all it becomes more than just taking pictures, it becomes a passion to take pictures with this camera. I don't take photos too much but when i do i use a sony nex-c3 camera ;)

I was in the market to buy a DSLR camera. I have been using point and shoot for so long, I would to get better technology. After deciding on a camera, I kept questioning the weight and the bulk of the DSLR. I was then introduced to this whole new world of compact cameras with DSLR technology. I was totally convinced, and fell in love with this particular camera. I played around with in the store for 45 min before ultimately making this my choice. I am completely new to this stage in photography. But this camera is so simple to use and easy to carry around. It has all the same feature as the bulky DSLRs. I feel that the pictures on the compact camera produce the same quality as the DSLR. In the end, the camera may seem expensive, but this is the new technology. I highly recommend this camera to anyone looking for either a point and shoot or DLSR.

so i bought this for a trip i was going to take, i wanted a camera that would take awesome pictures but wasnt complicated to use. This camera has multiple functions like a fullsize dslr but without the bulkiness. worked great took bch'n pictures and it was easy to use i didnt spend too much time with settings. i left it on auto and i was pointing and shooting all trip long. if your looking for something better than a point and shoot but dont want the complexity of a fullsize dslr this is the camera to get.

Simply the best digital camera I have ever owned, (yes, I've owned several). Everyone wows when they use it to take a picture. Solid feel and a great buy. Even PC Mag gave it their Editor's Choice Award. Would have loved a dedicated flash, but in night mode, it illuminates the subjects well in unlit areas. There's an optional flash that's quite powerful, I understand. You won't be disappointed with the quality and feel of this camera.

This camera is really good and definitely better. Don't think about getting cheap kind of camera. If you want best camera, you should go for camera compact system like Sony and Nikon. I did try Nikon 1 and it is garbage because it doesn't make me feel like digital SLR or something like that. Sony Nex will definitely make you feel like wow and better than Nikon because Nikon picture feel like plain like so so. Sony pictures looks like I am in movie. If you know Sony movie company makes best pictures then this is best pictures of Sony. Always must be very careful with body and lenses and don't drop it. Keep clean the lenses as always. I like to use it everyday and it is very attractive to me than digital SLR. I hope you will like it.

Not to bulky to travel u can put it in ur purse anytime. Great for indoor shooting like in cave, no Need for extra flash. I really love this camera..

I did a ton of homework on digital cameras before purchasing this one. I can tell you that you will be extremely satisfied. Took it on vacation. Over 400 pictures taken. Augusta National Golf Course. Savannah. Florida. All came out beyond expectation. Battery NEVER fell below 50% even after taking close to 100 pictures at The Masters. Buy it. Video is also very good. Panaramas are incredible. Very easy to use on "AUTO". Next purchase will be a zoom lens.

Amazing camera,using it to take pictures of my children and also after using video mode now its taking place of my panasonic minidv camcorder. I am in love with camera and recommend it to everyone thats looking for the next step from a point and shoot. When you buy this camera make sure to buy another battery with this camera and a class 10 sdhc hard. Picked up a 32 gig card. Wish I invested in this camera a while ago. 18 months no intrest really helped out

The Camera is perfect for those that want all the features of a DSLR but don't want the bulk. I have tried it out with the various settings and all have produced superb pictures. Highly recomended

This is my first DSLR camera--or my first other than point-and-shoot camera and I love it!! The ease of use and picture quality is amazing compared to the other cameras I've owned. I have become much more interested in photography since owning this camera and look forward to improving on this product. Looking forward to buying and experimenting with the 55-210mm lens next!!

I just love my new camera. It takes such great pictures and the features are endless! HIGHLY RECOMMEND

I cannot tell you how happy I am with my purchase! I was looking at another camera in the store and the store employee steered me to this one instead! So very happy!

Great shoots, easy to use, I just wish the stores stocked the telephoto lens instead of having to order online. I have had many,many problems with BestBuy online. And when you try to get help at the store, forget about it.

disappointer because cannot pruchase a zoom lens for it considered returning camera company said it is unavailable