There are plenty of camera options for street photography these days. But a bunch of those tend to be out of reach for the budget-conscious photographer. Now, there’s no shame in going for older models or secondhand units just so you have something to get started with. If that sounds fine with you, here’s a Sony camera that you may come across during your search.
In the video above, UK-based photographer and videographer Curtis Padley shares his thoughts and experience using the Sony NEX-C3. Released in 2011, this digital mirrorless camera from Sony’s second generation of mirrorless cameras has a compact form factor which houses a 16MP APS-C sensor. He was able to score a “for repairs” unit on ebay for less than $50. Fortunately, he was able to get its sensor cleaned. So, you can definitely get it dirt cheap on the secondhand market. But expect units in good working condition to go for twice or thrice as much.
Now, while the Sony NEX-C3 is budget-friendly, is it still worth picking up? Padley covers as much as he can about both the shooting experience and the photos you can get out of it. His final verdict? The photos can turn out pretty decent, but the process of getting to them can be too fiddly and and problematic. He says the handling isn’t too great either. So, he suggests skipping this camera. Either make do with your smartphone camera or save up for a better model.
Of course, if you can get past or work around the “quirks” of old cameras like the Sony NEX-C3, it’s still possible to find your own process and get photos you’d like. After all, camera technology has come a long way. Many improvements have been made to mirrorless cameras since these cameras were released.
But do you think Padley was a bit harsh in his conclusion? Would you still consider getting this camera as a first, budget-friendly street photography camera and see if you can work with it? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
