Sony NEX-3 vs Canon EOS M3

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Sony NEX-3 vs Canon EOS M3

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APS-C 369.7mm²
14.2 megapixels

Go in depth with our full Sony NEX-3 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the NEX-3.

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 Sony NEX-3N
Compare NEX-3 vs NEX-3N

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

Compare SONY NEX-3N vs CANON EOS M6

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Differences

Sony NEX-3 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.
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
~1.00 vs 2.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

330 vs 250 shots
Capture more photos
Thinner
33 mm vs 44 mm
Thinner

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Sony NEX-3

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
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 NEX-3 test data on DxO Mark

1,169 vs 830 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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 0.44 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
Faster JPEG shooting
4.2 fps vs 2.7 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 38 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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

Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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 NEX-3 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read EOS M3 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony NEX-3

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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 NEX-3 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 Sony NEX-5

Sony NEX-3

Sony NEX-5

$600
APS-C

Less expensive

$700
APS-C

Compare Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-5

Canon EOS M3

Sony NEX-5

$700
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Sony NEX-5

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Sony NEX-3

Sony NEX-C3

$600
APS-C

Bigger JPEG buffer

$559
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-C3

Canon EOS M3

Sony NEX-C3

$700
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$559
APS-C

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Sony NEX-C3

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-3

Sony NEX-5N

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$700
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony NEX-3 vs Sony NEX-5N

Canon EOS M3

Sony NEX-5N

$700
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Sony NEX-3

Samsung NX3000

$600
APS-C

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$950
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
Lighter weight

Compare Sony NEX-3 vs Samsung NX3000

Canon EOS M3

Samsung NX3000

$700
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 NEX-3

Fujifilm X-E3

$600
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Tiltable Screen

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-3 vs Fujifilm X-E3

Canon EOS M3

Fujifilm X-E3

$700
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
NFC

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Fujifilm X-E3

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