Billed as the world’s smallest and lightest interchangeable-lens camera with an APS-C sized sensor, the new Sony NEX-C3 is a tiny compact system camera offering a resolution of 16.2 megapixels. Weighing in at 225 grams, the Sony NEX-C3 is approximately 6% lighter than last year’s NEX-3. In addition to capturing high-resolution photographs, the NEX-C3 can also record 720p HD video. A new in-camera ‘Picture Effect’ setting lets users add extra impact to stills or HD video during shooting. Options include Partial Colour, Retro Photo, Pop Colour, High Contrast Monochrome, Posterisation, High-key and Toy Camera. There’s also a ‘Soft Skin’ effect that removes wrinkles and blemishes from portrait subjects. Improved energy efficiency boosts battery stamina to 400 still shots per charge – over 20% more than the NEX-5/NEX-3. The new NEX-C3 will be available this August in silver, black and pink with an 18-55mm kit zoom and will cost about $650.  It will also be offered in black only with a 16mm lens for about $600.

Sony Press Release

Sony introduces world’s smallest, lightest* interchangeable lens camera with APS-C sized sensor

Easy-to-use ? NEX-C3 with 16.2 effective megapixels, HD video and friendly new interface

DSLR-quality images with 16.2 effective megapixel Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor
Intuitive new ‘Photo Creativity’ interface for easy adjustment of picture settings
In-camera ‘Picture Effect’ with real-time preview Multi-frame imaging techniques including 3D Sweep Panorama, Auto HDR and Handheld Twilight mode
Optional accessories including compact HVL-F20S travel flash and 30mm F3.5 E-mount macro lens
* Among interchangeable-lens digital cameras with APS-C size image sensor, as of 8th June 2011

The new ? NEX-C3 from Sony is the world’s smallest, lightest interchangeable lens digital camera in its class.

Offered in stylish silver or black, 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 the main circuitry shrinks the camera body weight to just 225g – that’s almost 6% less than the NEX-3.

Image quality, functions and usability of the NEX-C3 also surpasses that of the NEX-3.

Resolution of the large Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor is boosted to 16.2 effective megapixels, capturing stills and 720p HD video with breathtaking clarity. The large, DSLR-sized sensor also lets you produce pro-quality ‘bokeh’ background defocus effects, whether you’re shooting HD video or stills.

If you’re not familiar with specialist photo terminology, the NEX-C3 puts sophisticated picture controls within easy reach, whether you’re shooting stills or HD video. The intuitive new Photo Creativity interface replaces technical terms like ‘aperture’, ‘exposure value’ and ‘white balance’ with the friendlier and more intuitive ‘background defocus’, ‘brightness’ and ‘colour’.

There’s no need to dig into confusing menu options or guess their effect on your composition. Just turn the camera’s rear-mounted control wheel and instantly see the effect of your settings previewed on screen. If you wish, 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 Colour, Retro Photo, Pop Colour, High Contrast Monochrome, Posterisation, 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 7.5cm Xtra Fine LCD screen features TruBlack screen technology for high-contrast images with rich, deep blacks. It’s a great way to compose shots and judge the effect of adjusting picture settings, even when you’re viewing outdoors in bright sunlight.

Advanced multi-frame imaging technologies from Sony broaden the possibilities of the NEX-C3 further still. 3D Sweep Panorama captures extra-wide images in 3D to enjoy on your 3D TV. 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 you’re shooting in available light.

The NEX-C3 works even harder to capture more amazing images and HD video between battery charges. Improved energy efficiency boosts battery stamina to a generous 400 still shots per charge – over 20% more than the NEX-5/NEX-3.

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