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

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Differences

Sony NEX-5R 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.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.78 vs 3.72 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • More dynamic range
    13.1 vs 11.8 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 330 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 4.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Sony NEX-5R

  • Higher effective ISO
    1,169 vs 910 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • 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 Canon EOS M3

Review Excerpt

  • 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 Sony NEX-C3

Sony NEX-5R
Sony NEX-C3
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
Canon EOS M3
Sony NEX-C3
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5R
Sony NEX-5N
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
Canon EOS M3
Sony NEX-5N
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-5R
Canon EOS M
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack
Canon EOS M3
Canon EOS M
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony A5100

Sony NEX-5R
Sony A5100
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Hot shoe
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
Canon EOS M3
Sony A5100
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • External Mic Jack
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Fujifilm X-E3

Sony NEX-5R
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • 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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