What are the important differences between the 3C and the 5N? Don't they use the same sensor so image quality should be similar?
5N takes Full-HD 1080x24/30/60p videos vs. 720p on the C3 and features a magnesium alloy body vs plastic on the C3. Oh, and the 3 don't has the infrared port. And the 5N has a built-in touchscreen, where the C3 has the same display without touch. However, image quality is the same.
The 5n also gives you the ability to use the electronic viewfinder and to set a base ISO of 100 (rather than 200).
I ended up getting a 3C. The cost was a couple of hundred less than the 5N. I realize the 5N is the better of the two cameras but the money was an issue for me. I have never had a touch screen so can live without that, don't do video so the 5N advantage there wasn't an issue and don't want the additional cost of the EVF at this time so that advantage was lost. Bottom line for me, same image quality at close to 50% of the cost. I hope to get an Nex-7 someday and am happy with the 3C for now. I have a shelf full of legacy lenses and have ordered some adapters for the Nex. This is my first Nex so no doubt I'll be posting questions here.
50% of the cost? Wow, okay, then it's totally worth it. Back when the original NEX 3 and 5 where released, the price difference was about 100 USD (okay, with less advantages for the 5, to be fair), so it wasn't too hard to decide. But it was much harder to get one anywhere here in Austria ... Anyway, much fun with your new NEX camera!
I went with a C3 as well because of the cost savings. I got a used C3 and 16mm lens for about $250 less than I could get the 5N for at the time. With some 5N users now switching to the 7, I'm guessing the used market for the 5N will improve (for buyers).
I'm ending my nex-5n back as its got that clicking sound when replaying video. Don't know if they just repair it or replace it though.
