• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Sony A58 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
    ~ 4.31 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
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 700 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.9 fps vs 4.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    4.8 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    6 vs 4 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Sony A58

  • 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
    1,169 vs 753 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 77 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • 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
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 8 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
  • 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

  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A58

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon EOS M3

Review Excerpt

  • Improved 20.1-megapixel resolution; Impressive image quality, especially for its price; Fast and decisive autofocus (in most conditions); Very good battery life; Good video quality (Full HD 1080p, though it doesn't support 60p frame rate).

  • Plastic lens mount; Slower burst mode speeds and shallower buffer than A57; LCD no longer fully articulating; Mediocre kit lens; Electronic instead of an optical viewfinder may be a turnoff for some.

  • 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 Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A58
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Canon EOS M3
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon D5200

Sony A58
Nikon D5200
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D5200
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Canon T5i

Sony A58
Canon T5i
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Canon EOS M3
Canon T5i
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Sony A58
Samsung NX3000
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Canon EOS M3
Samsung NX3000
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Fujifilm X-E3

Sony A58
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Canon EOS M3
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • NFC
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
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