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Canon M3 vs Sony ZV-E1

Portability
85
Imaging
66
Features
76
Overall
70
Canon EOS M3 front
 
Sony ZV-E1 front
Portability
80
Imaging
67
Features
89
Overall
75

Canon M3 vs Sony ZV-E1 Key Specs

Canon M3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF-M Mount
  • 366g - 111 x 68 x 44mm
  • Released February 2015
  • Updated by Canon M6
Sony ZV-E1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 102400 (Increase to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 1920 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 483g - 121 x 72 x 54mm
  • Announced March 2023
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Canon M3 vs Sony ZV-E1 Overview

Below is a complete analysis of the Canon M3 versus Sony ZV-E1, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by companies Canon and Sony. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the M3 (24MP) and ZV-E1 (12MP) and the M3 (APS-C) and ZV-E1 (Full frame) use different sensor sizing.

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The M3 was launched 9 years earlier than the ZV-E1 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving through a in-depth comparison, below is a simple summation of how the M3 grades against the ZV-E1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon M3 over the Sony ZV-E1

 M3 ZV-E1 
Display resolution1040k1037kClearer display (+3k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony ZV-E1 over the Canon M3

 ZV-E1 M3 
AnnouncedMarch 2023February 2015More recent by 99 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display

Common features in the Canon M3 and Sony ZV-E1

 M3 ZV-E1 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display dimension3"3.00"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Canon M3 vs Sony ZV-E1 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon M3 has physical 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 ZV-E1 has proportions of 121mm x 72mm x 54mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 2.1") along with a weight of 483 grams (1.06 lbs).

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Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select during that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the M3 compared to the ZV-E1.

Canon M3 vs Sony ZV-E1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the M3 and ZV-E1 is 85 and 80 respectively.

Canon M3 vs Sony ZV-E1 top view buttons comparison

Canon M3 vs Sony ZV-E1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to imagine the difference between sensor measurements merely by reading technical specs. The graphic here will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the M3 and ZV-E1.

As you have seen, both of the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The M3 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field trickier and the Canon M3 will offer greater detail utilizing its extra 12MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The older M3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon M3 vs Sony ZV-E1 sensor size comparison

Canon M3 vs Sony ZV-E1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon M3 vs Sony ZV-E1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon M3 Portrait photography highlights
Sony ZV-E1 Portrait photography highlights
79
has manual focus
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
72
you can focus manually
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW files
low MP (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Canon M3 as a Street photography camera
Sony ZV-E1 as a Street photography camera
79
tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
includes focus by touch
does not have image stabilization
84
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
features touch focus
environment proofing
lighter than competition (483g)
above average ISO range (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Canon M3 Sports photography info
Sony ZV-E1 Sports photography info
61
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking focus
has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (4.2 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
low battery pack (250 per charge)
72
silent shutter (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
environment proofing
better than average battery (570 per charge)
supports phase detect auto focus
max shutter speed is low (1/ seconds)
low MP (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Canon M3 Travel photography highlights
Sony ZV-E1 Travel photography highlights
73
includes focus by touch
good MP (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low battery pack (250 shots)
79
better than average battery (570 shots)
lighter than competition (483g)
environment proofing
has bluetooth
features touch focus
display is selfie friendly
low MP (12MP)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon M3 Landscape photography features
Sony ZV-E1 Landscape photography features
68
has manual focus
switch lenses (Canon EF-M mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
low battery pack (250 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
79
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3.00 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (102,400)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
better than average battery (570 per charge)
low MP (12MP)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon M3 as a Vlogging camera
Sony ZV-E1 as a Vlogging camera
80
display is selfie friendly
screen is touchscreen
features face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has microphone port
does not have image stabilization
85
display is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focus
great video quality (3840 x 1920 pxls)
comes with mic socket
lighter than competition (483g)
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Canon M3 vs Sony ZV-E1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon M3 and Sony ZV-E1
 Canon EOS M3Sony ZV-E1
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Sony
Model Canon EOS M3 Sony ZV-E1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2015-02-06 2023-03-29
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 6 -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 22.3 x 14.9mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 332.3mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 6000 x 4000 4240 x 2832
Highest native ISO 12800 102400
Highest boosted ISO 25600 409600
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Min boosted ISO - 40
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 49 759
Lens
Lens mount Canon EF-M Sony E
Total lenses 23 195
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3" 3.00"
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs -
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.2fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, on, off, slow synchro no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XA3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x1920
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 366g (0.81 pounds) 483g (1.06 pounds)
Dimensions 111 x 68 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") 121 x 72 x 54mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.8 not tested
DXO Low light score 1169 not tested
Other
Battery life 250 photographs 570 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E17 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $481 $2,198