Sony RX100 II vs Canon EOS M3

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Sony RX100 II vs Canon EOS M3

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1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
28.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX100 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony RX100 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the RX100 II.
Compare Sony RX100 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony RX100 II conclusion.

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 RX100 III
Compare RX100 II vs RX100 III

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

Compare SONY RX100 III vs CANON EOS M6

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Differences

Sony RX100 II advantages over Canon EOS M3

Less expensive
$598* vs $1049
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
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

350 vs 250 shots
Capture more photos
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/200 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Lighter weight
281g vs 366g
Lighter weight
Faster JPEG shooting
9.6 fps vs 4.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
4.9 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
13 vs 4 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Sony RX100 II

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.72 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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 RX100 II test data on DxO Mark

1,169 vs 483 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 13 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Both provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
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
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
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 EOS M3 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100M II

All RX100 II Deals

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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

New, 20.2MP, 1-inch type, backside illuminated (BSI) image sensor produces superb image quality, with particular improvements in low light and high ISO; 3-inch tilting rear LCD screen handy for composing shots from difficult angles; Fast all-around performer with quick autofocus and virtually no shutter lag; New, multi-interface hotshoe for adding a strobe or optional electronic viewfinder; Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC.
Bigger and heavier than previous model; More expensive than previous model; Reduced burst performance when shooting RAW files; Somewhat confusing menu structure and control layout; Wi-Fi features can be difficult to set up.
Read our Sony RX100 II 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 RX100

Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100

$598
1 inch

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$1074
1 inch

Faster RAW shooting

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100

Canon EOS M3

Sony RX100

$1049
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1074
1 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Sony RX100

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100 III

$598
1 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100 III

Canon EOS M3

Sony RX100 III

$1049
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$748
1 inch

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Sony RX100 II

Samsung NX3000

$598
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$950
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Samsung NX3000

Canon EOS M3

Samsung NX3000

$1049
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$950
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Samsung NX3000

Compared to Sony RX100 IV

Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100 IV

$598
1 inch

More telephoto lens reach
Longer stills battery life

$898
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100 IV

Canon EOS M3

Sony RX100 IV

$1049
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$898
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Sony RX100 IV

Compared to Fujifilm X-E3

Sony RX100 II

Fujifilm X-E3

$598
1 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Fujifilm X-E3

Canon EOS M3

Fujifilm X-E3

$1049
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
NFC

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Fujifilm X-E3

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