Sony NEX-C3 Field Report

June 8, 2011
Sony has today announced two new cameras, the A35 and NEX-C3. Both cameras share the same new 16.2 Megapixel sensor. I have been working with the C3 for the past few weeks and you will find here some initial impressions. The C3 will ship together with the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens in late July for $749 .
Fog Graffiti. Caledon, Ontario. May, 2011
Sony NEX C3 with 18-55mm @ ISO 200

Camera Size and Lenses
The C3 is the smallest NEX camera body yet, and NEX cameras are the smallest interchangeable lens cameras available – even smaller than Micro Four Thirds. This is the case even though the NEX sensor is full APS-C sized, the same as in mainstream DSLRs.
But though the body size of NEX cameras is positively tiny (as small as some pocket digicams), the lenses are constrained by the laws of optics because they must cover such a large sensor. In other words, though Sony has done their best to slim down NEX lens barrels, and uses very elegant-looking stainless ...