Sony A33 vs Canon EOS M3

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Sony A33 vs Canon EOS M3

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APS-C 369.7mm²
14.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Sony A33 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A33.

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.

Succeeded by the Canon EOS M6
Compare EOS M3 vs EOS M6
Compare Sony A33 vs Canon EOS M6

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Differences

Sony A33 advantages over Canon EOS M3

Lens selection
Good vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Larger sensor
APS-C 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
~ 5.16 vs 3.72 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Fast startup
~0.80 vs 2.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 4.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Sony A33

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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 A33 test data on DxO Mark

1,169 vs 591 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
44 mm vs 84 mm
Thinner
Newer
9 years vs 14 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.21 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.2 vs 14.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 13 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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 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

Amazon
Adorama
Read A33 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)

All EOS M3 Deals

Review Excerpt

Read our Sony A33 Full 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 Nikon D3100

Sony A33

Nikon D3100

$540
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
In-camera panoramas

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A33 vs Nikon D3100

Canon EOS M3

Nikon D3100

$850
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Nikon D3100

Compared to Sony A55

Sony A33

Sony A55

$540
APS-C

$734
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Built-in GPS

Compare Sony A33 vs Sony A55

Canon EOS M3

Sony A55

$850
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$734
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Sony A55

Compared to Sony A35

Sony A33

Sony A35

$540
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Faster JPEG shooting

$567
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony A33 vs Sony A35

Canon EOS M3

Sony A35

$850
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$567
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Sony A35

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Sony A33

Samsung NX3000

$540
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$950
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony A33 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 Fujifilm X-E3

Sony A33

Fujifilm X-E3

$540
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony A33 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

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