Clicky

Canon M vs Sony NEX-3N

Portability
89
Imaging
60
Features
65
Overall
62
Canon EOS M front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
Portability
89
Imaging
58
Features
52
Overall
55

Canon M vs Sony NEX-3N Key Specs

Canon M
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF-M Mount
  • 298g - 109 x 66 x 32mm
  • Announced July 2012
Sony NEX-3N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 62 x 35mm
  • Launched February 2013
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-F3
  • Replacement is Sony a5000
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Canon M vs Sony NEX-3N Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Canon M versus Sony NEX-3N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the M (18MP) and the NEX-3N (16MP) is relatively well matched and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The M was manufactured 7 months prior to the NEX-3N and they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the M scores vs the NEX-3N in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon M over the Sony NEX-3N

 M NEX-3N 
Screen resolution1040k460kCrisper screen (+580k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Canon M

 NEX-3N M 
LaunchedFebruary 2013July 2012More modern by 7 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Canon M and Sony NEX-3N

 M NEX-3N 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Canon M vs Sony NEX-3N Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera often, you'll need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon M has physical measurements of 109mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3N has measurements of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Contrast the Canon M versus Sony NEX-3N in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the M compared to the NEX-3N.

Canon M vs Sony NEX-3N size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the M and NEX-3N is 89 and 89 respectively.

Canon M vs Sony NEX-3N top view buttons comparison

Canon M vs Sony NEX-3N Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to envision the difference between sensor sizes just by looking at technical specs. The picture below should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the M and NEX-3N.

As you have seen, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Canon M to give you extra detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged M is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon M vs Sony NEX-3N sensor size comparison

Canon M vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and ViewFinder

Canon M vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon M Portrait photography factors
Sony NEX-3N Portrait photography factors
76
has manual focus
good MP (18 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
saves RAW files
66
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
can't use external flash
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Street Comparison

Canon M Street photography details
Sony NEX-3N Street photography details
72
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
comes with touch to focus
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
77
has a tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Canon M Sports photography features
Sony NEX-3N Sports photography features
55
good MP (18MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low battery (230 shots)
54
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good battery power (480 shots)
max fps low (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Canon M Travel photography details
Sony NEX-3N Travel photography details
63
comes with touch to focus
good MP (18 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse mode
low battery (230 per charge)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
71
good battery power (480 shots)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon M
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-3N
66
has manual focus
switch lenses (Canon EF-M mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
good MP (18MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
low battery (230 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
70
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
good battery power (480 shots)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon M
Vlogging with Sony NEX-3N
37
screen is touchscreen
provides face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external mic jack
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
28
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have microphone jack
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Canon M vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon M and Sony NEX-3N
 Canon EOS MSony Alpha NEX-3N
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model Canon EOS M Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2012-07-23 2013-02-25
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 5 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 22.3 x 14.9mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 332.3mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5184 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 12800 16000
Highest boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 31 25
Lens
Lens mount Canon EF-M Sony E
Total lenses 23 121
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech Clear View II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/200 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps) 1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 298g (0.66 pounds) 269g (0.59 pounds)
Dimensions 109 x 66 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 65 74
DXO Color Depth score 22.1 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.2 12.5
DXO Low light score 827 1067
Other
Battery life 230 photos 480 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E12 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $510 $399