• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Sony A77 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.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • 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
  • More dynamic range
    13.2 vs 11.8 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 530 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 29 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.6 fps vs 4.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.6 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    14 vs 4 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Sony A77

  • Less expensive
    $1049 vs $1899
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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 801 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • More telephoto lens reach
    88 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Thinner
    44 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    9 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 17 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
  • 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
  • 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 A77

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon EOS M3

Review Excerpt

  • Very fast top frame rate; full-time phase-detect autofocus; Full 60p HD video; Excellent kit lens; Very good high-resolution sensor.

  • Heavy; EVF appears dim when used in bright light; AF tracking in Movie mode was unreliable in our testing.

  • 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 Canon 7D

Sony A77
Canon 7D
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Canon EOS M3
Canon 7D
  • $1049
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Canon 70D

Sony A77
Canon 70D
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Canon EOS M3
Canon 70D
  • $1049
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • NFC
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Sony A77 II

Sony A77
Sony A77 II
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Built-in GPS
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Canon EOS M3
Sony A77 II
  • $1049
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Sony A77
Samsung NX3000
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Canon EOS M3
Samsung NX3000
  • $1049
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Fujifilm X-E3

Sony A77
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
Canon EOS M3
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $1049
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • NFC
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
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