Smaller than Canon G12 without a lens attached.

Miniaturization is a large part of technological advance.  It allows for smaller and smaller gear and when gear hits the smallest usable unit size, allows for more and more power into the same chassis. Sony’s gone and made the smallest interchangeable lens compact with an APS-C sensor. Seriously, the body by itself is smaller than a Canon Powershot G12, but you can’t say the same thing once you stick an E to ?-mount adapter and that Sony Carl Zeiss 85mm that’s banging around in your bag on there.

It also continues Sony’s theme of making ‘creative’ photography accessible – terms like “aperture” will be replaced in certain modes with “background defocus.” The NEX-C3 will also add their own version of the art filters with modes like “Retro” and “Toy camera” which can be previewed and combined on screen.

Other stand-outs are the inclusion of Auto HDR, 2D and 3D sweep panorama modes, 720 HD video, and customizable soft keys.

We’ll have a pre-order page up soon over in our growing selection of Electronic Viewfinder Interchangeable Lens Compacts.