• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Sony A99 advantages over Canon EOS M3

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    35mm 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
    ~ 5.97 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
    ~0.70 vs 2.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,555 vs 1,169 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.9 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 500 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.9 fps vs 4.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    5.9 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    18 vs 4 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Sony A99

  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    44 mm vs 78 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    366g vs 828g
    Lighter weight
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 17 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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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 Nikon D800

Sony A99
Nikon D800
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D800
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A99
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2084
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Canon EOS M3
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $2084
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon D800E

Sony A99
Nikon D800E
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D800E
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Sony A99
Samsung NX3000
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Canon EOS M3
Samsung NX3000
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Fujifilm X-E3

Sony A99
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Canon EOS M3
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • NFC
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
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