TimeOut

press release:

Sony Introduces World's Smallest, Lightest Interchangeable Lens Camera with APS-C Sized Sensor

SAN DIEGO,  2011 – Sony’s new α NEX-C3 is the world’s smallest, lightest interchangeable lens camera with an APS-C sized sensor. Offered in a range of stylish colors, the NEX-C3 brings the promise of DSLR-quality photography to the millions of consumers looking to take professional-looking photos without the size and bulk of traditional DSLR cameras.

The NEX-C3 features an attractive new body design that combines a satisfyingly solid metal top casing with an easy-to-use streamlined grip shape.  Reducing the size of its internal circuitry visibly shrinks the camera’s size and achieves a body weight of just 225g (approximately 8 ounces) – nearly six percent lighter than its predecessor, the NEX-3 camera. Image quality, functionality and usability of the NEX-C3 camera also surpass that of the NEX-3 model.

The resolution of the camera’s large Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor is boosted to 16.2 effective megapixels, capturing stills and 720p HD video with breath-taking clarity. The large, DSLR-sized sensor also lets users produce pro-quality background defocus effects, whether shooting HD video or stills.

“Building on the success of last year’s α NEX launch, the new NEX-C3 model takes the idea of ‘small camera body, SLR-quality photos’ to a whole new level,” said Kristen Elder, director of the alpha digital imaging business at Sony.  “This camera’s brand new, large CMOS sensor and user-friendly interface will allow all photographers, regardless of experience level, to produce unique, custom-styled photographs. The NEX-C3 is a perfect combination of design, performance and creativity that fits a wide range of activities and shooting styles.”

Photo Creativity
The intuitive new Photo Creativity interface on the NEX-C3 camera puts sophisticated controls within easy reach, whether users are shooting stills or HD Video.   Technical terms like ‘aperture’, ‘exposure value’ and ‘white balance’ are replaced with the friendlier and more intuitive ‘background defocus’, ‘brightness’ and ‘color’, allowing users to easily create custom-styled photographs. A traditional interface with Aperture/Shutter Priority, Manual and custom functions is always available for experienced users, along with highly customizable soft-keys for programming direct access to important controls.

With the NEX-C3 camera, users don’t need to dig into confusing menu options or guess their effect on a composition. They just need to turn the camera’s rear-mounted control wheel and instantly see the effect of their settings previewed on screen. Also, two or more different settings can be combined to create more sophisticated creative effects.

A new in-camera ‘Picture Effect’ setting lets users add extra impact to stills or HD video during shooting, without the worry of editing images afterwards. ‘Picture Effect’ options include Partial Color, Retro Photo, Pop Color, High Contrast Monochrome, Posterization, High-key and Toy Camera. There’s also a ‘Soft Skin’ effect that removes wrinkles and blemishes from portrait subjects.

Tilting for comfortable viewing at any angle, the high contrast 3-inch (measured diagonally) Xtra Fine LCD features TruBlack screen technology for high-contrast images with rich, deep blacks. This is an ideal way to compose shots and judge the effect of adjusting picture settings, even when viewing outdoors in bright sunlight.

Long-Lasting Battery
The NEX-C3 works even harder to capture amazing images and HD video between battery charges. Improved energy efficiency boosts battery life to a generous 400 still shots per charge – a more than 20 percent increase from the both the NEX-5 and NEX-3 cameras.

Multi-Shot Imaging Technologies
Sony’s Advanced multi-shot technologies further broaden the possibilities of the NEX-C3 camera. 3D Sweep Panorama™ mode captures extra-wide images that can be viewed in 3D on a 3D television with compatible 3D glasses. Auto HDR “stacks” a high-speed burst of three successive exposures to capture extreme shadow and highlight details in a single frame. Similarly, Handheld Twilight and Anti-Motion Blur modes automatically combine six exposures to capture smooth, low-noise images. This avoids hand-blur and subject-blur when shooting in available light.

New E-mount 30mm Macro Lens and Other Compatible Accessories
The versatility of the α E-mount compact camera system grows with new style-matched accessories to expand shooting possibilities even further.

Joining the range of E-mount interchangeable lenses, the SEL30M35 is currently the world’s lightest life-size macro lens (approx 4.9 ounces) for interchangeable-lens cameras. This high-quality 30mm F3.5 macro lens features a 1:1 magnification ratio and minimum working distance of just 0.95 inches (2.4 cm), making it ideal for capturing detail-packed close-ups of small subjects like flowers and insects.

Despite its extremely compact size, the SEL30M35 employs one ED glass and three aspherical lens elements for excellent optical performance, with minimized aberration and very high edge-to-edge sharpness and contrast. It also offers smooth, quiet autofocus operation whether shooting stills or HD video. The macro lens is supplied with a matching lens hood.

Also available as an option, the new HVL-F20S is a style-matching flash that clips onto the  Smart Accessory Terminal of NEX-C3 and other E-mount cameras. Powered directly by the camera, the flash requires no batteries, making it ultra-compact and light weight for travelling. With a generous GN20 (50mm, at ISO 100, m) flash power rating and adjustable head, it’s ideal for creating natural fill-in and bounce flash effects with portraits and everyday shooting subjects.

The expanded range of coordinating accessories features a new body case/lens jacket and a soft carrying case. The new camera is also compatible with Sony’s full line of SD memory cards, including the newest Class 10 versions, as well as the Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX series.  Available in capacities up to 32 GB, both media enable higher read speeds for more stable and optimal performance by Sony hardware features such as high-speed burst shooting or HD movie shooting.

Firmware update for NEX-5, NEX-3
A firmware upgrade (Version 4) adds the new ‘Picture Effect’ function to existing NEX-5 and NEX-3 cameras. It also adds a Peaking function to assist with more precise manual focusing. This upgrade will be available June 20th and can be downloaded.

Pricing and Availability
The new NEX-C3 ultra-compact digital camera will be available this August in silver, black and pink with an 18-55mm kit zoom lens (model SEL1855) and will cost about $650.  It will also be offered in black only with a 16mm lens (model SEL16F28) for about $600. 

The new SEL30M35 E-mount Macro lens will be available this October for about $250 and the HVL-F20S flash will be available this August for about $150.

have been thinking thinking thinking about what camera to get for nice macros...this should be a contender.=D

there is a macro lens for this camera yet. You can use adaptor though.

cen@jkt

Sony announced that they will be releasing the SEL30M35 lens which is a 30mm 3.5 macro lens for the NEX cameras.  Haven't heard of any early reviews of it yet.

-MW

till the macro lens is released. I'm eyeing the Dlux 4 from leica for a long time but the price is not justified, and therefore waiting for it to drop.

the lens. If you are using primes, then the total package is in the 'cute' category. With zoom lenses, the camera is tilted toward the lens. Not very comfortable.

cen@jkt

I think I know what camera I am purchasing.....

J

it's a cool concept with these cameras.  What are you shooting with now?

-MW

they've proven adequate--but i now have two girls who are growing quickly, and it's time I find a quality camera to capture those precious moments

J

.. but I can't expand my lens shelves further beyond Nikon, Canon, Zeiss.....  I would like to see how well it actually delivers...  Too many good stuff to make me want!

Ken

Nikon is suppose to come out with one, I think some time around August.

-MW

... if your rumour proves true Ming!

I'm sitting on the fence at the moment, to see Sony and Panasonic (with their GF3) slug it out... and wished Canon and Nikon joins in (I've got a few Nikon lenses already).

Sometimes it's too much to bring a big DSLR and a small camera would work better.  Hope Nikon's version of the mirrorless ICL camera is as good as they say it will be.  Announcement in August so maybe available for purchase in late September or October.  Will update any info I get.

-MW

.. I only carry my DSLR when travelling. At home I sometimes cannot be bothered lugging around a DSLR especially just going to a dinner, or a friends place.

And with an impending new member to the family, I'm thinking that the chance of me carrying a DSLR on top of helping my wife with nappies and bottles is even slimmer!

A mirrorless offering from Nikon will be the perfect alternative.

"And with an impending new member to the family..."

Congrats! 

-MW

No message body

the lens mounting of the micro system is different than the DSLR? . Judging by Sony and Olympus path....

cen@jkt

Would be great if it could use the same lenses but you are right.  The only thing now is that there are adapters to use Nikon and Canon lenses on the 4/3rd systems but I think it's only MF.

-MW

.. but like Ming said, even if that's the case, HOPEFULLY they will have an adaptor to work with existing lenses. Would be horribly foolish for them to not leverage the size of their customer base with the current lens system. Fingers crossed!

and use almost any lenses on micro 4/3 system (panasonic and olympus) and sony NEX, but it will be a manual focus lens. No auto focus. Not good for your future member of the family once he/she started to run around

cen@jkt

The other thing I need is FAST to NO shutter lag.

A friend of mine have an Olympus E-P1 and tried to take a photo of someone's daughter. By the time the photo was taken the girl moved out of the shot

Leica D-LUX 5. I am thinking of a new small camera that takes good macro shots.

JerryW

Well, IMO the DLUX5 is different from the ICL's.  The NEX5 will be bigger but does higher res video, larger sensor (APS-C CMOS vs CCD), faster fps, higher ISO, and can change lenses.  So I guess it depends.

-MW