Sony a3000 vs Canon EOS 70D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a3000 and Canon EOS 70D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a3000 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS 70D is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2013.

Camera Released
Sony a3000 2013
Canon EOS 70D 2013

Type of camera

Sony a3000 is a Mirrorless camera while Canon EOS 70D is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a3000 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Canon EOS 70D has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a3000 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS 70D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Sony a3000 has a 20 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 70D has 20,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a3000 20 MP
19816192 pixels
5456 x 3632
Canon EOS 70D 20,2 MP
19961856 pixels
5472 x 3648

Canon EOS 70D has a 1 % larger resolution than Sony a3000. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Sony a3000 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 70D. Sony a3000 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 16000 while Canon EOS 70D has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a3000 100-16000
Canon EOS 70D 100-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a3000
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 70D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a3000 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 70D can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a3000 2,5
Canon EOS 70D 7

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Sony a3000 and Canon EOS 70D can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS 70D weighs 755 gr (equal to 1.66 lb) which is 84% heavier than Sony a3000 and its 411 gr (or 0.91 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a3000 411 gr
0.91 lb
Canon EOS 70D 755 gr
1.66 lb

Sony a3000 vs Canon EOS 70D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a3000 and Canon EOS 70D, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Sony a3000
Canon EOS 70D
Name Sony a3000 Canon EOS 70D
Manufacturer Sony Canon
Release Date and Price
Sony a3000
Canon EOS 70D
Release Year 2013 2013
Release Date 2013-08-27 2013-07-02
MSRP 399 USD 1199 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a3000
Canon EOS 70D
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony a3000
Canon EOS 70D
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5456 x 3632 pixels 5472 x 3648 pixels
Megapixels 20 MP 20,2 MP
Image Processor Bionz DIGIC 5+
Image
Sony a3000
Canon EOS 70D
ISO Range 100 - 16000 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 9 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Optical Steady Shot)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a3000
Canon EOS 70D
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 25 19
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a3000
Canon EOS 70D
Articulated LCD Fixed Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 230400 1040000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type TFT LCD Clear View II TFT color LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 98%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× (0.47× 35mm equiv.) 0.95× (0.59× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Sony a3000
Canon EOS 70D
Frames per second 2,5 fps 7 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 6 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a3000
Canon EOS 70D
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
AVCHD
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a3000
Canon EOS 70D
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a3000
Canon EOS 70D
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Remote Control Yes (via optional RM-VPR1)
Yes (RS-60E3 cable release, RC-6 wireless remote, or using smartphone over Wi-Fi)
GPS No Yes
Optional through GP-E2
Body & Dimensions
Sony a3000
Canon EOS 70D
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50
Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 470 shots 920 shots
Width 128 mm 139 mm
Height 91 mm 104 mm
Depth 85 mm 79 mm
Weight 411 gram 755 gram