• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 16,000

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Differences

Canon EOS M advantages over Sony NEX-3N

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • More telephoto lens reach
    88 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    13 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 16000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony NEX-3N advantages over Canon EOS M

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,067 vs 827 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.4 vs 11.2 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 480 vs 230 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Less shutter lag
    0.27 vs 0.74 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 29 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality similar to Rebel T4i, T5i and SL1 DSLRs, with 18-megapixel APS-C-type sensor delivering considerable resolution for a mirrorless camera; Solid build and sleek design; Bright, high-resolution 3-inch LCD touchscreen monitor; Full 1080p HD video recording that's virtually silent with an STM lens.

  • Barely acceptable autofocus speed still lags far behind most mirrorless cameras despite firmware update fix; Limited physical controls and buttons, including no Program, Priority, or Manual on Mode dial; Lacks built-in flash or electronic viewfinder option; Only two compact EF-M mount lenses currently available.

  • Excellent image quality for an entry-level mirrorless; User interface ideal for consumers stepping up from point-and-shoots; Speedy and accurate autofocusing; Zoom lever on body; Tremendous value.

  • Lack of hot shoe or accessory port limits more advanced shooting; No electronic viewfinder; Performance lags behind previous model, especially on burst shooting speed.

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Canon EOS M
Sony NEX-C3
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
Sony NEX-3N
Sony NEX-C3
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • More dots on screen

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Canon EOS M
Sony NEX-5N
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Sony NEX-3N
Sony NEX-5N
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • More dots on screen
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Canon EOS M
Sony NEX-5R
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Sony NEX-3N
Sony NEX-5R
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Canon EOS M
Samsung NX1100
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Sony NEX-3N
Samsung NX1100
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Higher-res screen

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Canon EOS M
Sony NEX-5T
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Sony NEX-3N
Sony NEX-5T
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
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