• APS-C 323.4mm2
  • 12.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Canon T3 advantages over Sony A6400

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.15 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 1.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 700 vs 410 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    88 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens

Sony A6400 advantages over Canon T3

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    59 mm vs 77 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    5 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    519g vs 702g
    Lighter weight
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 77k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.31 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.50x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 12.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 29 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.0 fps vs 2.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    87 vs 17 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.1 fps vs 2.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    42 vs 3 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon T3

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A6400

Review Excerpt

  • Well-considered ergonomics and control layout; Solid build; Good image quality; Great battery life; High-def movie capture.

  • Frame rate and burst depth not the best, especially for raw; Weak flash for an SLR; No sensor cleaning function; No spot metering.

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A230

Canon T3
Sony DSLR-A230
  • $199
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony A6400
Sony DSLR-A230
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D3100

Canon T3
Nikon D3100
  • $199
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
Sony A6400
Nikon D3100
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A37

Canon T3
Sony A37
  • $199
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony A6400
Sony A37
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Fujifilm X-T100

Canon T3
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $199
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Sony A6400
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Fast startup
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Sony A6100

Canon T3
Sony A6100
  • $199
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $748
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony A6400
Sony A6100
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $748
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
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