Canon EOS M3 vs Sony RX100 IV

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Canon EOS M3 vs Sony RX100 IV

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APS-C 332.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Canon EOS M3 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon EOS M3 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the EOS M3.
Compare Canon EOS M3 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon EOS M3 conclusion.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX100 IV Review.
How does it shoot? Sony RX100 IV in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the RX100 IV.
Compare Sony RX100 IV image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony RX100 IV conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon EOS M6
Compare EOS M3 vs EOS M6

Succeeded by the Sony RX100 V
Compare RX100 IV vs RX100 V

Compare CANON EOS M6 vs SONY RX100 V

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Differences

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Sony RX100 IV

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.72 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
EOS M3 test data on DxO Mark RX100 IV test data on DxO Mark

1,169 vs 562 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 40 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony RX100 IV advantages over Canon EOS M3

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
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/200 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Faster JPEG shooting
16.0 fps vs 4.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
8.6 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
28 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

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Both provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
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

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read EOS M3 User Reviews

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Buy the Canon EOS M3

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm and 55-200mm lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm lens (White)

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Buy the Sony RX100 IV

Sony RX100 IV

All RX100 IV Deals

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.
Read our Canon EOS M3 Review

Vastly improved burst speeds with deep buffer; Great performance with very fast autofocus; Very high resolution gives lots of detail in good light; High ISO noise levels much better than most pocket camera rivals; High-quality 4K video with uncompressed HDMI out; Super-fast High Frame Rate video; Same great pocket-friendly design.
Pricey for a compact camera; JPEGs can look over-processed at higher ISOs; Lens doesn't offer as much telephoto reach; Battery life not as good as predecessor; 24-70mm-equivalent lens can feel limiting.
Read our Sony RX100 IV Review

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Canon EOS M3

Samsung NX3000

$1049
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$950
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Samsung NX3000

Sony RX100 IV

Samsung NX3000

$898
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Focus peaking

$950
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Samsung NX3000

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Canon EOS M3

Sony RX100 III

$1049
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$748
1 inch

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100 IV

Sony RX100 III

$898
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Shoot 4K video

$748
1 inch

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Samsung NX500

Canon EOS M3

Samsung NX500

$1049
APS-C

More telephoto lens reach
Internal flash

$1600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Samsung NX500

Sony RX100 IV

Samsung NX500

$898
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Eye-level viewfinder

$1600
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Samsung NX500

Compared to Sony RX100 V

Canon EOS M3

Sony RX100 V

$1049
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$987
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Sony RX100 V

Sony RX100 IV

Sony RX100 V

$898
1 inch

Longer stills battery life

$987
1 inch

On-sensor phase detect
Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Sony RX100 V

Compared to Fujifilm X-E3

Canon EOS M3

Fujifilm X-E3

$1049
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
NFC

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Fujifilm X-E3

Sony RX100 IV

Fujifilm X-E3

$898
1 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Fujifilm X-E3

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