• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Sony NEX-7 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.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Fast startup
    ~1.20 vs 2.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More dynamic range
    13.4 vs 11.8 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 430 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 4.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    13 vs 4 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Sony NEX-7

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,169 vs 1,016 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Newer
    8 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.22 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 18 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 16000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony NEX-7

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon EOS M3

Review Excerpt

  • 24.3-megapixel sensor with excellent image quality; Small body; Exceptional user interface; Full HD 60p video; Electronic viewfinder and flash are built-in.

  • No Mode dial; Flash sync is a touch slow; No UHS-I card support; Needs a better kit lens to match the sensor quality.

  • 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 NX200

Sony NEX-7
Samsung NX200
  • $1248
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
Canon EOS M3
Samsung NX200
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Samsung NX300

Sony NEX-7
Samsung NX300
  • $1248
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Canon EOS M3
Samsung NX300
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Internal flash
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Samsung Galaxy NX

Sony NEX-7
Samsung Galaxy NX
  • $1248
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1199
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Canon EOS M3
Samsung Galaxy NX
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1199
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony A5100

Sony NEX-7
Sony A5100
  • $1248
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
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-7
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $1248
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Canon EOS M3
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Compare Other Cameras?