• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Sony A6500

  • Less expensive
    $700 vs $1598
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 231 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony A6500 advantages over Canon EOS M3

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Fast startup
    ~1.30 vs 2.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,405 vs 1,169 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.7 vs 11.8 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.1 fps vs 4.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.1 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    110 vs 4 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon EOS M3

Review Excerpt

  • DSLR image quality & resolution in a mirrorless body; Higher-res 24MP APS-C sensor; Much improved AF performance; Better ergonomics with full PASM dial; Built-in Wi-Fi & NFC; Tilting LCD.

  • No built-in EVF; Limited native lens selection; Slow burst mode; Shallow buffer depth with RAW files; No 60p video frame rate or 4K video option.

  • Comfortable, premium body with good controls; Touch-screen for subject selection; Hybrid image stabilization system; Excellent image quality; Better high ISO JPEGs than the A6300; Extremely fast 11.1 fps burst capture; Very deep buffers for raw and JPEG alike; 4K video capture with no pixel binning

  • Pricey for an APS-C camera; JPEG colors aren't the most accurate; Very slow buffer clearing; Laggy touch-pad AF function; Poorly-placed movie button; No headphone jack; Mediocre battery life

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Canon EOS M3
Samsung NX3000
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Sony A6500
Samsung NX3000
  • $1216
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Thinner

Compared to Samsung NX500

Canon EOS M3
Samsung NX500
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
Sony A6500
Samsung NX500
  • $1216
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro2

Canon EOS M3
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Sony A6500
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $1216
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Higher max flash sync
  • More dots on screen

Compared to Sony A6300

Canon EOS M3
Sony A6300
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $846
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Sony A6500
Sony A6300
  • $1216
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $846
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compared to Fujifilm X-E3

Canon EOS M3
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • NFC
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Sony A6500
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $1216
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
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