• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 42.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Sony A99 II

  • Less expensive
    $850 vs $3198*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    44 mm vs 76 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    366g vs 849g
    Lighter weight
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 61 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony A99 II advantages over Canon EOS M3

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
    ~ 4.51 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Fast startup
    ~1.20 vs 2.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Better color depth
    25.4 vs 22.8 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,317 vs 1,169 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.4 vs 11.8 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 490 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More pixels
    42.4 vs 24.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.5 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
    25 vs 4 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 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
  • 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

  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos

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.

  • Superb image quality at low, moderate ISOs; Improved high ISO performance; Fast continuous shooting speeds; Very impressive hybrid autofocus; High-quality 4K UHD video; Rugged camera body.

  • Multi-selector joystick can be awkward to use; No EVF live view at fastest burst rate; Buffer clearing is slow with no UHS-II support; 4K UHD video isn't as full-featured as E-mount counterparts.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A6000

Canon EOS M3
Sony A6000
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $674
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Sony A99 II
Sony A6000
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $674
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Canon EOS M3
Samsung NX3000
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Sony A99 II
Samsung NX3000
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Thinner
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon EOS M3
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Sony A99 II
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D850

Canon EOS M3
Nikon D850
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Sony A99 II
Nikon D850
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Fujifilm X-E3

Canon EOS M3
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • NFC
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Sony A99 II
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
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