• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 16,000
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Sony NEX-3N 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
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 480 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 29 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Sony NEX-3N

  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.27 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 6 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
  • 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

  • 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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Buy the Sony NEX-3N
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Buy the Canon EOS M3
Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Kit with 18-55mm and 55-200mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 18-55mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 18-55mm lens (White)
All EOS M3 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality for an entry-level mirrorless; User interface ideal for consumers stepping up from point-and-shoots; Speedy and accurate autofocusing; Zoom lever on body; Tremendous value.

  • Lack of hot shoe or accessory port limits more advanced shooting; No electronic viewfinder; Performance lags behind previous model, especially on burst shooting speed.

  • Read our Sony NEX-3N Review

  • 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.

  • Read our Canon EOS M3 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-3N
Sony NEX-5R
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony NEX-3N vs Sony NEX-5R

Canon EOS M3
Sony NEX-5R
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Internal flash
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sony NEX-3N
Samsung NX1100
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Higher-res screen

Compare Sony NEX-3N vs Samsung NX1100

Canon EOS M3
Samsung NX1100
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Samsung NX1100

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Sony NEX-3N
Sony NEX-5T
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony NEX-3N vs Sony NEX-5T

Canon EOS M3
Sony NEX-5T
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Sony NEX-5T

Compared to Sony A5100

Sony NEX-3N
Sony A5100
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony NEX-3N vs Sony A5100

Canon EOS M3
Sony A5100
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • External Mic Jack
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Sony A5100

Compared to Fujifilm X-E3

Sony NEX-3N
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony NEX-3N vs Fujifilm X-E3

Canon EOS M3
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Fujifilm X-E3

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