• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 22.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Canon 5D Mark III advantages over Sony A6100

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.25 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 950 vs 420 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 51200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony A6100 advantages over Canon 5D Mark III

  • Less expensive
    $698 vs $2299
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Newer
    5 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    33 vs 18 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 5D Mark III

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A6100

Review Excerpt

  • Superb still and video image quality; Powerful, fast, and accurate AF system with loads of cross-type points, loads of configurability and great frame coverage; Rugged, weather-sealed body with great control layout and user-interface configurability.

  • Dynamic range is limited by noise in deep shadows; Somewhat heavy-handed noise suppression and sharpening at default settings. (Shooting RAW avoids both.); No AF illuminator.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark III
Canon 6D
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Less shutter lag
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Sony A6100
Canon 6D
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon 5D Mark III
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2349
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Sony A6100
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $2349
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony A850

Canon 5D Mark III
Sony A850
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony A6100
Sony A850
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Nikon D800E

Canon 5D Mark III
Nikon D800E
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
Sony A6100
Nikon D800E
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony A99

Canon 5D Mark III
Sony A99
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Sony A6100
Sony A99
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
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