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Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-3N

Portability
85
Imaging
65
Features
76
Overall
69
Canon EOS M3 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
52
Overall
55

Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-3N Key Specs

Canon M3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF-M Mount
  • 366g - 111 x 68 x 44mm
  • Released February 2015
  • Updated by Canon M6
Sony NEX-3N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 62 x 35mm
  • Released February 2013
  • Earlier Model is Sony NEX-F3
  • Replacement is Sony a5000
Photography Glossary

Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-3N Overview

Below is a thorough assessment of the Canon M3 versus Sony NEX-3N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Canon and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the M3 (24MP) and NEX-3N (16MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The M3 was brought out 24 months later than the NEX-3N making them a generation apart from one another. The two cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a concise summary of how the M3 matches up versus the NEX-3N when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon M3 over the Sony NEX-3N

 M3 NEX-3N 
ReleasedFebruary 2015February 2013More recent by 24 months
Display resolution1040k460kClearer display (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Canon M3

 NEX-3N M3 

Common features in the Canon M3 and Sony NEX-3N

 M3 NEX-3N 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement

Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-3N Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon M3 comes with outer dimensions of 111mm x 68mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") with a weight of 366 grams (0.81 lbs) while the Sony NEX-3N has dimensions of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Analyze the Canon M3 versus Sony NEX-3N in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the M3 compared to the NEX-3N.

Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-3N size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the M3 and NEX-3N is 85 and 89 respectively.

Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-3N top view buttons comparison

Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-3N Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements simply by researching a spec sheet. The visual here may offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the M3 and NEX-3N.

Clearly, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Canon M3 to result in more detail having its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images more aggressively. The more modern M3 is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-3N sensor size comparison

Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and ViewFinder

Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon M3 Portrait photography info
Sony NEX-3N Portrait photography info
79
manual focus
decent MP (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
66
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
can't use external flash
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Street Comparison

Canon M3 Street photography information
Sony NEX-3N Street photography information
79
screen tilts
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
features focus via touch
no image stabilization
77
screen tilts
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon M3 Sports photography information
Sony NEX-3N Sports photography information
61
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
supports phase detect autofocus
slow frames per second (4.2 frames per second)
no image stabilization
bad battery (250 per charge)
53
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
better than average battery pack (480 per charge)
low fps (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon M3 Travel photography highlights
Sony NEX-3N Travel photography highlights
73
features focus via touch
decent MP (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
bad battery (250 CIPA)
71
better than average battery pack (480 per charge)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon M3 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Landscape photography camera
67
manual focus
swap lenses (Canon EF-M mount)
nice screen size (3")
decent MP (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
bad battery (250 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
70
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (480 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon M3 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Vlogging camera
80
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with mic jack
no image stabilization
28
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have mic jack
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Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon M3 and Sony NEX-3N
 Canon EOS M3Sony Alpha NEX-3N
General Information
Make Canon Sony
Model Canon EOS M3 Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2015-02-06 2013-02-25
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 6 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 22.3 x 14.9mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 332.3mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6000 x 4000 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 12800 16000
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 49 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Canon EF-M Sony E
Available lenses 23 121
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,040k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 4.2 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 366 grams (0.81 lbs) 269 grams (0.59 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 68 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 72 74
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.8 12.5
DXO Low light score 1169 1067
Other
Battery life 250 pictures 480 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E17 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $481 $399