Sony Launches NEX-C3 and a35, Puts Big Sensors in Small Cameras

The Sony Alpha NEX-3 remains one of the best cameras PCMag has reviewed, packing a D-SLR-sized sensor and interchangeable lens capability into a body that's more manageable, all for a price that won't hurt nearly as bad as most D-SLRs. On Wednesday, Sony announced the next-generation Sony NEX-C3, which keeps the NEX-3's high-end hardware, but slims down even more and adds a few welcome features.

The NEX-C3's body has been made even smaller, and the camera now weighs just 8 ounces. The NEX-3 won't exactly tip the scales, weighing in at 11 ounces, but it's an improvement nonetheless. Battery life is improved too, Sony says, up to 400 still shots between charges. The NEX-C3's APS-C sensor was boosted to 16.2 megapixels, and can shoot NEX-3-like 720p HD video (the NEX-3's cousin, the Alpha NEX-5, offered 1080i shooting for $100 more than the NEX-3).

There's also a new "Photo Creativity" mode on the NEX-C3, which is essentially a jargon-free way of manually controlling the camera. Users can control "background defocus" instead of aperture, and "color" instead of white balance, and the effect of any changed settings can be seen immediately on the LCD. (There is still a true manual mode, with the terms that will be more familiar to experience photographers.) There are plenty of in-camera effects as well, letting you digitally apply filters and effects to your photos—the effects are also available to NEX-3 and NEX-5 owners via a firmware update.

One drawback of the NEX-3 was the relative lack of available lenses, and Sony announced one more alongside the NEX-C3. The SEL30M35 is a 30mm f/3.5 macro lens with a minimum working distance of 0.95 inches, which makes it ideal for super-close shots. The lens will be available in October, for "about $250," said Sony.

The Sony NEX-C3 itself will be available in August in silver, black, and pink, for $650 with a kit lens. We've wondered for months why no other camera manufacturer has come out with a competitor to the NEX-3: A small(er) camera, with a D-SLR sensor inside, and a few compromises (like no optical viewfinder) that most casual users won't mind, for a reasonable price. It appears that Sony wants to build its lead before other manufacturers catch on.

For fans of the more traditional D-SLR, Wednesday brought Sony news as well. The Sony Alpha a35 (SLT-A35) is the newest in the line of Sony's D-SLRs, and uses some of Sony's technology, like the Translucent Mirror Technology, to deliver extremely fast performance—the a35 can shoot up to seven frames per second—and excellent low-light shooting, all the way up to ISO 12800. Whether you're shooting in Live View or with the viewfinder, video or stills, the a35 promises plenty of speed upgrades across the board. The battery life has been upgraded here too, up to 440 still shots per charge, and the in-camera effects are present as well. The a35 will be out in August, for about $700 with a kit lens.

PCMag