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


89 Imaging
57 Features
79 Overall
65
Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-5T Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF-M Mount
- 366g - 111 x 68 x 44mm
- Announced February 2015
- Updated by Canon M6
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
- Released August 2013
- Replaced the Sony NEX-5R

Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-5T Overview
Let's examine more closely at the Canon M3 and Sony NEX-5T, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Canon and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the M3 (24MP) and NEX-5T (16MP) but they use the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

The M3 was announced 18 months after the NEX-5T which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before getting through a full comparison, below is a quick overview of how the M3 matches up versus the NEX-5T with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-5T Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon EOS M3 & Sony Alpha NEX-5T. The whole galleries are viewable at Canon M3 Gallery & Sony NEX-5T Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon M3 over the Sony NEX-5T
M3 | NEX-5T | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2015 | ![]() | August 2013 | More modern by 18 months |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 922k | Crisper screen (+118k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5T over the Canon M3
NEX-5T | M3 |
---|
Common features in the Canon M3 and Sony NEX-5T
M3 | NEX-5T | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Both good for selfies | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-5T Physical Comparison
If you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon M3 has outside measurements of 111mm x 68mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") and a weight of 366 grams (0.81 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5T has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).
Check the Canon M3 and Sony NEX-5T in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the M3 and the NEX-5T.

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

Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-5T Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it can be difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizes purely by checking specs. The pic here may give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the M3 and NEX-5T.
All in all, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Canon M3 to give you greater detail with its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more recent M3 will have an advantage in sensor tech.

Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-5T Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon M3 vs Sony NEX-5T Specifications
Canon EOS M3 | Sony Alpha NEX-5T | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Sony |
Model | Canon EOS M3 | Sony Alpha NEX-5T |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2015-02-06 | 2013-08-27 |
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 dimensions | 22.3 x 14.9mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 332.3mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 6000 x 4000 | 4912 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
Max boosted ISO | 25600 | - |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 49 | 99 |
Cross focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Canon EF-M | Sony E |
Amount of lenses | 23 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.6 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 1,040k dot | 922k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen technology | - | Tilt Up 180° Down 50° TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 4.2fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 5.00 m (at ISO 100) | 7.00 m (ISO100) |
Flash modes | Auto, on, off, slow synchro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | - | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) | 1920 x1080 (60p/60i/24p) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Mic 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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 366g (0.81 lbs) | 276g (0.61 lbs) |
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 score | 72 | 78 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.8 | 23.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.8 | 13.0 |
DXO Low light score | 1169 | 1015 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 250 images | 330 images |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | LP-E17 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes ((10/2 sec. delay), Self-timer (Cont.) (with 10 sec. delay; 3/5 exposures)) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Launch pricing | $481 | $400 |