Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-3
85 Imaging
65 Features
76 Overall
69


89 Imaging
54 Features
55 Overall
54
Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF-M Mount
- 366g - 111 x 68 x 44mm
- Revealed February 2015
- Successor is Canon M6
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
- Announced June 2010
- Successor is Sony NEX-C3

Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview
Let's look a little more in depth at the Canon M3 and Sony NEX-3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Canon and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the M3 (24MP) and NEX-3 (14MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

The M3 was released 4 years later than the NEX-3 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the M3 scores versus the NEX-3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-3 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon EOS M3 & Sony Alpha NEX-3. The complete galleries are provided at Canon M3 Gallery & Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon M3 over the Sony NEX-3
M3 | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2015 | ![]() | June 2010 | Fresher by 57 months |
Display resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 920k | Crisper display (+120k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Canon M3
NEX-3 | M3 |
---|
Common features in the Canon M3 and Sony NEX-3
M3 | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display sizing |
Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is looking to carry your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon M3 has got external measurements of 111mm x 68mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") and a weight of 366 grams (0.81 lbs) while the Sony NEX-3 has dimensions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Compare the Canon M3 and Sony NEX-3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the M3 compared to the NEX-3.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the M3 and NEX-3 is 85 and 89 respectively.

Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
Generally, its hard to picture the gap in sensor sizing simply by looking through specs. The visual underneath will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the M3 and NEX-3.
All in all, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You can anticipate the Canon M3 to provide you with greater detail as a result of its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics more aggressively. The fresher M3 provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
Canon EOS M3 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Sony |
Model | Canon EOS M3 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2015-02-06 | 2010-06-07 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | DIGIC 6 | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 22.3 x 14.9mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 332.3mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 6000 x 4000 | 4592 x 3056 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
Max boosted ISO | 25600 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 49 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Canon EF-M | Sony E |
Total lenses | 23 | 121 |
Crop factor | 1.6 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Tilting | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 1,040 thousand dots | 920 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display tech | - | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 4.2 frames per sec | 7.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 5.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, on, off, slow synchro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | - | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | H.264 | MPEG-4 |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 366 grams (0.81 pounds) | 297 grams (0.65 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 111 x 68 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 72 | 68 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.8 | 22.1 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.8 | 12.0 |
DXO Low light score | 1169 | 830 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 250 pictures | 330 pictures |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | LP-E17 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Cost at launch | $481 | $0 |