Canon M vs Sony NEX-3
89 Imaging
58 Features
65 Overall
60
89 Imaging
53 Features
55 Overall
53
Canon M vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF-M Mount
- 298g - 109 x 66 x 32mm
- Revealed July 2012
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
- Launched June 2010
- Updated by Sony NEX-C3
Photography Glossary Canon M vs Sony NEX-3 Overview
In this write-up, we will be contrasting the Canon M vs Sony NEX-3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Canon and Sony. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the M (18MP) and NEX-3 (14MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideThe M was unveiled 2 years after the NEX-3 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before we go straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise summation of how the M scores versus the NEX-3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon EOS M & Sony Alpha NEX-3. The full galleries are viewable at Canon M Gallery & Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon M over the Sony NEX-3
| M | NEX-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | July 2012 | June 2010 | Newer by 26 months | |
| Screen resolution | 1040k | 920k | Sharper screen (+120k dot) | |
| Touch screen | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Canon M
| NEX-3 | M | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Canon M and Sony NEX-3
| M | NEX-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | More exact focus | |||
| Screen sizing | 3" | 3" | Equivalent screen measurement | |
| Selfie screen | Neither provides selfie screen |
Canon M vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
When you are going to travel with your camera often, you should consider its weight and volume. The Canon M provides external measurements of 109mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs) while the Sony NEX-3 has sizing of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Check the Canon M vs Sony NEX-3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the M and the NEX-3.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the M and NEX-3 is 89 and 89 respectively.
Canon M vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is hard to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing specifications. The picture underneath might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the M and NEX-3.
Plainly, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Canon M to deliver extra detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more recent M provides a benefit in sensor tech.
Canon M vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon M vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
| Canon EOS M | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Canon | Sony |
| Model | Canon EOS M | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
| Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Revealed | 2012-07-23 | 2010-06-07 |
| Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | Digic 5 | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 22.3 x 14.9mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor area | 332.3mm² | 365.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 18 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 5184 x 3456 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
| Maximum enhanced ISO | 25600 | - |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 200 |
| RAW format | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| AF single | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detect AF | ||
| Contract detect AF | ||
| Phase detect AF | ||
| Number of focus points | 31 | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | Canon EF-M | Sony E |
| Amount of lenses | 23 | 121 |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.6 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display size | 3" | 3" |
| Resolution of display | 1,040 thousand dots | 920 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Display tech | Clear View II TFT LCD | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
| Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
| Continuous shutter rate | 4.0fps | 7.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | no built-in flash | 12.00 m |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Max flash synchronize | 1/200s | 1/160s |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
| Microphone support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Eye-Fi Connected |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | Optional | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 298 grams (0.66 pounds) | 297 grams (0.65 pounds) |
| Dimensions | 109 x 66 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | 65 | 68 |
| DXO Color Depth score | 22.1 | 22.1 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 11.2 | 12.0 |
| DXO Low light score | 827 | 830 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 230 photographs | 330 photographs |
| Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | LP-E12 | NPFW50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | Single | Single |
| Retail cost | $510 | $0 |