• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
  • Canon EOS M3
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Canon EOS M
EOS M vs EOS M3
Successor:   Canon EOS M6
EOS M3 vs EOS M6
General
Model Number: DSLR-A550 EOS M3
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1049.99 $799.99
Street Price: $859.40 $849.99
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2015-10-01
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 32.2 oz (912 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
12.9 oz (366 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.4 x 4.1 x 3.3 in.
(137 x 104 x 84 mm)
4.4 x 2.7 x 1.7 in.
(111 x 68 x 44 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Canon
Effective Megapixels: 14.2 24.2
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 332.27mm2 (22.30mm x 14.90mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.16 microns 3.72 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.6x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No Yes
DxO Sensor Score: 66 72
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.9 22.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.8 11.8
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 807 1,169
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4592 x 3056 (14.0 MP, 3:2),
4592 x 2576 (11.8 MP, 16:9),
3344 x 2224 (7.4 MP, 3:2),
3344 x 1872 (6.3 MP, Other),
2288 x 1520 (3.5 MP, Other),
2288 x 1280 (2.9 MP, Other)
6000 x 4000 (24.0 MP, 3:2),
4320 x 2880 (12.4 MP, 3:2),
2880 x 1920 (5.5 MP, 3:2),
2304 x 1536 (3.5 MP, 3:2),
720 x 480 (0.3 MP, 3:2),
5328 x 4000 (21.3 MP, 4:3),
3840 x 2880 (11.1 MP, 4:3),
2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
6000 x 3376 (20.3 MP, 16:9),
4320 x 2432 (10.5 MP, 16:9),
2880 x 1616 (4.7 MP, 16:9),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
720 x 408 (0.3 MP, Other),
4000 x 4000 (16.0 MP, 1:1),
2880 x 2880 (8.3 MP, 1:1),
1920 x 1920 (3.7 MP, 1:1),
1536 x 1536 (2.4 MP, 1:1),
480 x 480 (0.2 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW JPEG, .CR2 14-bit RAW, RAW+L/F JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.7 4.2
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p)
640x480 (30p/​25p)
Movie File Format:   MP4 [Video: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, Audio: MPEG-4 AAC-LC (stereo)]
Composite Video Out: No No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) Canon EF-M
Lens: Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM Canon EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 29 - 88mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 3.10x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T) f/3.5 - f/22 (W) / f/5.6 - f/36 (T); 7-blade circular aperture
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 55.0mm 58.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a  
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point TTL phase detection (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF; Wide, Spot, Local modes Hybrid CMOS AF III PDAF/CDAF on image sensor: FlexiZone - Multi (49 zones, AF at the touched Zone), Single; Face Detection + Tracking AF
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter Optional Electronic Viewfinder EVF-DC1: (0.48 type), 4:3 aspect ratio, Approx. 2,360,000 dots, 100% coverage
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.53x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.80x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 1,040,000 dots
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 14.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 12800
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 Auto (100-12800), 100-12800 in 1/3EV steps, expandable to H=25600
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Twilight and Sunset, Tungsten, White Fluorescent, Flash, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot; (1200 zone evaluative metering in Live View) Evaluative metering (384 zones), partial metering (center: approx. 10%), spot metering (center: approx. 2.%), center-weighted average metering
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View Creative Assist (Background Blur, Brightness, Contrast, Saturation, Color Tone, Monochrome (Off/ BW/ S (Sepia)/ B (Blue)/ P (Purple) /G (Green)), SCN (Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Handheld Night Scene, Food), Creative Filters (HDR, Fish-eye Effect, Art Bold Effect, Water Painting Effect, Miniature Effect (Stills and Movie), Toy Camera Effect, Soft Focus, Grainy B/W)
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 10, 2 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off Auto, Manual Flash On/off, Slow Synchro; FE Lock, Red-eye Reduction
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 5.0 m / 16.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent GN=5 (m, ISO 100); range depends on lens aperture
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/200
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:   UHS-I compliant
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW .CR2 14-bit RAW, RAW+L/F JPEG
Movie File Format:   MP4 [Video: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, Audio: MPEG-4 AAC-LC (stereo)]
Included Memory:   No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: Yes
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Wireless or Wired Wi-Fi or optional RC-6 wireless remote
Connections (extended): DC input, mini-HDMI, Wired Remote Mini (Type C) HDMI, 3.5mm External Stereo Mic Jack
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.41 1.11
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.41  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 19  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   1.38
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 6.7 4.2
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 15 Unlimited
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   4.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   4
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   4.0
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   4
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.18 seconds 0.13 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.178 seconds 0.112 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.22 seconds 0.59 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.074 seconds 0.056 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Quick AF Live View shutter lag: 0.188s  
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds 2.4 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.4 seconds 1.6 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.5 seconds 3.5 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   250 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 950 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FM500H Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable LP-E17 Lithium-ion rechargeble
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H 1 x Proprietary LP-E17 Lithium-ion rechargeble
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Software/USB Driver CD-ROM EOS Digital Solutions Disc (Digital Photo Professional, Picture Style Editor, EOS Utility, Image Transfer Utility )
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (v. 10.13+) Windows 7/8/8.1, Mac OS X 10.8+
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Exmore CMOS Sensor, Variable-angle LCD, SteadyShot In-body Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Live View, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer (Auto, Level 1-5), HDMI Output, 7 fps (AF/AE Locked). Comes in black or white.