Sony's New Compact Mirrorless Camera, the NEX-C3

It looks like the rumors and leaks were dead on — almost. Sony's latest mirrorless NEX camera has been made officially official, and it is indeed a smaller, lighter version of the NEX-3. Called the NEX-C3, it's essentially a compact camera with a big sensor and interchangeable lenses.

The one thing the rumors got wrong was actually pretty big. “Leaked” photos showed the same camera we have here, only with a bulky flip-out LCD screen. This has disappeared in the shipping model. I checked back to see if maybe the leaked photos showed an unlabeled NEX-C5 instead, but it says C3 on the top plate.

On to the specs. A new sensor gives 16.2 MP, captures 720p video and will shoot in the dark at up to ISO 12,800. It has a big 3-inch LCD screen, and Sony claims that the battery will last for 400 still shots on a single charge. That's not bad for a mirrorless camera — my Panasonic GF-1 is the only camera I ever bought a spare battery for (and it cost almost €90, or $130. Ouch).

The NEX-C3 will be available in August and cost $650 in a kit with an 18-55mm lens. There will also be a version shipping with a 16mm lens for $600.

Sony NEX-C3 press release [Sony]

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