• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Sony RX100 VA

  • Less expensive
    $850 vs $998*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • 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 233 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony RX100 VA 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
  • Newer
    6 years vs 9 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    23.9 fps vs 4.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    23.9 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    103 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
  • 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
  • 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

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
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $674
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Sony RX100 VA
Sony A6000
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $674
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Canon EOS M3
Samsung NX3000
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Sony RX100 VA
Samsung NX3000
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony RX100 V

Canon EOS M3
Sony RX100 V
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony RX100 VA
Sony RX100 V
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $998
  • 1 inch

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 RX100 VA
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compared to Sony ZV-1

Canon EOS M3
Sony ZV-1
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $800
  • 1 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video
Sony RX100 VA
Sony ZV-1
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Internal flash
  • $800
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Bluetooth
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