• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Sony A9 II

  • Less expensive
    $1049 vs $4498*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    44 mm vs 77 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    366g vs 678g
    Lighter weight
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 361 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony A9 II advantages over Canon EOS M3

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    35mm 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
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.93 vs 3.72 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 690 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    5 years vs 9 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    1440k vs 1040k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 4.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    20.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    239 vs 4 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 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
  • 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 panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

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.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A6000

Canon EOS M3
Sony A6000
  • $1049
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $674
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Sony A9 II
Sony A6000
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $674
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Canon EOS M3
Samsung NX3000
  • $1049
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Sony A9 II
Samsung NX3000
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony A9

Canon EOS M3
Sony A9
  • $1049
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $2995
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Sony A9 II
Sony A9
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • Newer
  • $2995
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive

Compared to Fujifilm X-E3

Canon EOS M3
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $1049
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • NFC
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Sony A9 II
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Canon R6

Canon EOS M3
Canon R6
  • $1049
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $2149
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Sony A9 II
Canon R6
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • NFC
  • More pixels
  • $2149
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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