Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-5R
85 Imaging
65 Features
76 Overall
69


89 Imaging
57 Features
76 Overall
64
Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-5R Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF-M Mount
- 366g - 111 x 68 x 44mm
- Introduced February 2015
- Refreshed by Canon M6
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
- Released August 2012
- Superseded the Sony NEX-5N
- Renewed by Sony NEX-5T

Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview
Let's look more closely at the Canon M3 versus Sony NEX-5R, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Canon and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the M3 (24MP) and NEX-5R (16MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

The M3 was revealed 2 years after the NEX-5R which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the M3 matches up versus the NEX-5R with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-5R Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon EOS M3 and Sony Alpha NEX-5R. The full galleries are available at Canon M3 Gallery and Sony NEX-5R Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon M3 over the Sony NEX-5R
M3 | NEX-5R | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2015 | ![]() | August 2012 | Newer by 30 months |
Display resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 920k | Sharper display (+120k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Canon M3
NEX-5R | M3 |
---|
Common features in the Canon M3 and Sony NEX-5R
M3 | NEX-5R | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display measurements |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison
If you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon M3 provides physical dimensions of 111mm x 68mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") and a weight of 366 grams (0.81 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5R has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).
Look at the Canon M3 versus Sony NEX-5R in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use during that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the M3 vs the NEX-5R.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the M3 and NEX-5R is 85 and 89 respectively.

Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison
Generally, its difficult to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions just by looking at specs. The picture underneath might give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the M3 and NEX-5R.
All in all, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Canon M3 to give you extra detail because of its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will let you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more modern M3 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications
Canon EOS M3 | Sony Alpha NEX-5R | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Sony |
Model type | Canon EOS M3 | Sony Alpha NEX-5R |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2015-02-06 | 2012-08-29 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
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 area | 332.3mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 6000 x 4000 | 4912 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
Maximum boosted ISO | 25600 | - |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 49 | 99 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Canon EF-M | Sony E |
Amount of lenses | 23 | 121 |
Crop factor | 1.6 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 1,040k dot | 920k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen tech | - | Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 4.2 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m (at ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash options | Auto, on, off, slow synchro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | - | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | H.264 | AVCHD |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 366g (0.81 pounds) | 276g (0.61 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 111 x 68 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") | 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 72 | 78 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.8 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.8 | 13.1 |
DXO Low light rating | 1169 | 910 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 250 pictures | 330 pictures |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | LP-E17 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse shooting | With downloadable app | |
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at launch | $481 | $750 |