• APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Sony A3000 advantages over Canon EOS M3

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 470 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Sony A3000

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    44 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.28 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 20.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.2 fps vs 3.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 11 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 16000 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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 Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Sony A3000
Kit with 18-55mm Lens
All A3000 Deals

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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)
All EOS M3 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Absolutely incredible value; Includes a stabilized kit lens; More versatile than a fixed-lens bridge camera; Comfortable body with good ergonomics; Great image quality; Good autofocus performance; Decent battery life.

  • Feels a bit plasticky; Slow burst shooting with limited buffer; Sluggish to power on or switch modes; Low-res EVF and LCD monitor; Can't review images using EVF; No video output; Weak flash; Battery charges in-camera.

  • Read our Sony A3000 Review

  • 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

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-01

Sony A3000
Pentax K-01
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony A3000 vs Pentax K-01

Canon EOS M3
Pentax K-01
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Pentax K-01

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Sony A3000
Samsung NX3000
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony A3000 vs Samsung NX3000

Canon EOS M3
Samsung NX3000
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Samsung NX3000

Compared to Sigma sd Quattro

Sony A3000
Sigma sd Quattro
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • HDMI out

Compare Sony A3000 vs Sigma sd Quattro

Canon EOS M3
Sigma sd Quattro
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Sigma sd Quattro

Compared to Canon EOS M5

Sony A3000
Canon EOS M5
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony A3000 vs Canon EOS M5

Canon EOS M3
Canon EOS M5
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Thinner
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Canon EOS M5

Compared to Fujifilm X-E3

Sony A3000
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony A3000 vs Fujifilm X-E3

Canon EOS M3
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • NFC
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Fujifilm X-E3

Compare Other Cameras?