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Canon M6 vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
84
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Canon EOS M6 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54

Canon M6 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs

Canon M6
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF-M Mount
  • 390g - 112 x 68 x 45mm
  • Introduced February 2017
  • Older Model is Canon M3
  • Successor is Canon M6 MII
Sony NEX-3
(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
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Newer Model is Sony NEX-C3
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Canon M6 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Canon M6 and Sony NEX-3, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Canon and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the M6 (24MP) and NEX-3 (14MP) but both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The M6 was revealed 6 years later than the NEX-3 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting right into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise overview of how the M6 scores vs the NEX-3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon M6 over the Sony NEX-3

 M6 NEX-3 
IntroducedFebruary 2017June 2010Fresher by 82 months
Display resolution1040k920kCrisper display (+120k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Canon M6

 NEX-3 M6 

Common features in the Canon M6 and Sony NEX-3

 M6 NEX-3 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing

Canon M6 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon M6 provides outside measurements of 112mm x 68mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.8") with a weight of 390 grams (0.86 lbs) and the Sony NEX-3 has dimensions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

Check the Canon M6 and Sony NEX-3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select at that time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the M6 vs the NEX-3.

Canon M6 vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the M6 and NEX-3 is 84 and 89 respectively.

Canon M6 vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison

Canon M6 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing just by checking out specs. The photograph underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the M6 and NEX-3.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You can anticipate the Canon M6 to produce more detail because of its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images more aggressively. The fresher M6 provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Canon M6 vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison

Canon M6 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon M6 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon M6 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Portrait photography camera
80
has manual focus
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW formats
72
focusing manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Canon M6 Street photography details
Sony NEX-3 Street photography details
80
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
includes touch to focus
good ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
76
has a tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon M6 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Sports photography camera
67
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
has phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
not so great battery (295 shots)
52
MP count good (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon M6 Travel photography features
Sony NEX-3 Travel photography features
80
has bluetooth
includes touch to focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
not so great battery (295 per charge)
59
MP count good (14 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon M6
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-3
74
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF-M mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
no image stabilization
not so great battery (295 per charge)
68
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon M6 Vlogging details
Sony NEX-3 Vlogging details
80
screen is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
provides face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has mic jack
no image stabilization
27
has face detect focus
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic support
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Canon M6 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon M6 and Sony NEX-3
 Canon EOS M6Sony Alpha NEX-3
General Information
Make Canon Sony
Model type Canon EOS M6 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Category Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2017-02-15 2010-06-07
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 7 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 24 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 6000 x 4000 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
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
Total focus points 49 25
Lens
Lens support Canon EF-M Sony E
Total lenses 23 121
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,040k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 9.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 35 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 390 gr (0.86 lb) 297 gr (0.65 lb)
Physical dimensions 112 x 68 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.8") 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 78 68
DXO Color Depth rating 23.4 22.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.6 12.0
DXO Low light rating 1317 830
Other
Battery life 295 shots 330 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom, remote) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $679 $0