Canon M vs Sony NEX-C3
89 Imaging
59 Features
65 Overall
61
91 Imaging
56 Features
57 Overall
56
Canon M vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF-M Mount
- 298g - 109 x 66 x 32mm
- Released July 2012
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
- Introduced August 2011
- Superseded the Sony NEX-3
- New Model is Sony NEX-F3
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In this article, we are comparing the Canon M versus Sony NEX-C3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by competitors Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the M (18MP) and the NEX-C3 (16MP) is very close and they use the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).
Photography GlossaryThe M was announced 12 months after the NEX-C3 which means that they are of a similar age. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick summation of how the M matches up vs the NEX-C3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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This is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon EOS M & Sony Alpha NEX-C3. The whole galleries are provided at Canon M Gallery & Sony NEX-C3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon M over the Sony NEX-C3
| M | NEX-C3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | July 2012 |  | August 2011 | More modern by 12 months |
| Display resolution | 1040k |  | 920k | Crisper display (+120k dot) |
| Touch friendly display |  | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Canon M
| NEX-C3 | M | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Canon M and Sony NEX-C3
| M | NEX-C3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually |  | More precise focus | ||
| Display sizing | 3" |  | 3" | Equivalent display sizing |
| Selfie screen |  | Neither comes with selfie screen |
Canon M vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon M comes with outside measurements of 109mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs) and the Sony NEX-C3 has dimensions of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).
See the Canon M versus Sony NEX-C3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select at that moment. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the M versus the NEX-C3.
Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the M and NEX-C3 is 89 and 91 respectively.
Canon M vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizes just by viewing a spec sheet. The image below will help give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the M and NEX-C3.
As you can see, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Canon M to render greater detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The newer M is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.
Canon M vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon M vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications
| Canon EOS M | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Canon | Sony |
| Model type | Canon EOS M | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 |
| Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Released | 2012-07-23 | 2011-08-22 |
| Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | Digic 5 | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 22.3 x 14.9mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor surface area | 332.3mm² | 365.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 18MP | 16MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Peak resolution | 5184 x 3456 | 4912 x 3264 |
| Highest native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
| Highest enhanced ISO | 25600 | - |
| Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW support | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detection focus | ||
| Contract detection focus | ||
| Phase detection focus | ||
| Total focus points | 31 | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | Canon EF-M | Sony E |
| Number of lenses | 23 | 121 |
| Crop factor | 1.6 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
| Screen resolution | 1,040 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Screen technology | Clear View II TFT LCD | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
| Continuous shutter speed | 4.0 frames/s | 6.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash distance | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
| External flash | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash sync | 1/200s | 1/160s |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| 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) |
| Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
| Mic jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| 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 | ||
| Environment seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 298 grams (0.66 pounds) | 225 grams (0.50 pounds) |
| Dimensions | 109 x 66 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") | 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | 65 | 73 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 22.1 | 22.7 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.2 | 12.2 |
| DXO Low light rating | 827 | 1083 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 230 pictures | 400 pictures |
| Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | LP-E12 | NPFW50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Storage slots | Single | Single |
| Price at release | $510 | $343 |