Sony is set to release the Alpha NEX-C3, the smallest interchangeable-lens camera every made. The NEX-C3 weighs 225g, around 6% lighter than the camera it replaces, the NEX-3.
The NEX-C3 features a completely new body design that combines a solid metal top with a rounder grip shape. It uses the same 16.2-megapixel CMOS sensor as the well-reviewed SLT-A35 and a tilting, 921,600-dot LCD monitor.
In an effort to make the camera easier to use, Sony has replaced many technical terms with plain english translations: ‘aperture' becomes ‘background defocus’, exposure value' becomes ‘brightness’ and ‘white balance' becomes ‘colour'.
In-camera Picture Effects can be added to stills and video and include Partial Colour, Retro Photo, Pop Colour, High Contrast Monochrome, Posterisation, High-key and Toy Camera. There’s also a ‘Soft Skin’ effect that can remove wrinkles and blemishes from portraits.
Other features include Auto HDR (high dynamic range), Handheld Twilight mode, Anti-Motion Blur mode and 3D Sweep shooting.
Optional peaking focus, whereby the sharp areas of a scene are rendered red, has been ported from Sony’s Handycam range and is particularly useful when shooting video.
Improved energy efficiency is said to boost the battery stamina to a generous 400 still shots per charge – over 20 percent more than the NEX-5 and NEX-3.
Offered in a choice of pink, silver and black, the Sony Alpha NEX-C3 is priced at $849 for the Single Lens Kit, and $999 for the Twin Lens Kit. It will be available in Australia from July.
