• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Sony A5100 advantages over Canon EOS M3

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Less expensive
    $448 vs $549
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,347 vs 1,169 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 29 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.0 fps vs 4.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    6.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    25 vs 4 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Sony A5100

  • More telephoto lens reach
    88 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.23 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 67 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A5100

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon EOS M3

Review Excerpt

  • Very small and comfortable form factor; Very good image quality for its class; New dual video record function; Quick autofocus and good dynamic range.

  • Lacks an EVF and external mode dial; No hot shoe; JPEG processing at higher ISOs not as good as some competing mid-level models.

  • DSLR image quality & resolution in a mirrorless body; Higher-res 24MP APS-C sensor; Much improved AF performance; Better ergonomics with full PASM dial; Built-in Wi-Fi & NFC; Tilting LCD.

  • No built-in EVF; Limited native lens selection; Slow burst mode; Shallow buffer depth with RAW files; No 60p video frame rate or 4K video option.

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sony A5100
Samsung NX1100
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe
Canon EOS M3
Samsung NX1100
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Sony A5100
Sony NEX-5T
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher-res screen
Canon EOS M3
Sony NEX-5T
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony A5000

Sony A5100
Sony A5000
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
Canon EOS M3
Sony A5000
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Canon EOS M100

Sony A5100
Canon EOS M100
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Canon EOS M3
Canon EOS M100
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • External Mic Jack
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Fujifilm X-E3

Sony A5100
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
Canon EOS M3
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
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