Sony a58 vs Canon EOS M3

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a58 and Canon EOS M3. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a58 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS M3 is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.

Sony a58 were released 2013 and Canon EOS M3 was released 2015. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a58 2013
Canon EOS M3 2015

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a58 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Canon EOS M3 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 a58 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS M3 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 a58 has a 20 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS M3 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a58 20 MP
19816192 pixels
5456 x 3632
Canon EOS M3 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Canon EOS M3 has a 21 % larger resolution than Sony a58. 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 a58 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS M3. Sony a58 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 16000 while Canon EOS M3 has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a58 100-16000
Canon EOS M3 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.

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS M3 belongs to the Canon EOS M-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS M

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a58
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS M3

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a58 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS M3 can shoot up to 4,2 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a58 5
Canon EOS M3 4,2

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Sony a58 and Canon EOS M3 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.

Sony a58 weighs 492 gr (equal to 1.08 lb) which is 34% heavier than Canon EOS M3 and its 366 gr (or 0.81 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a58 492 gr
1.08 lb
Canon EOS M3 366 gr
0.81 lb

Sony a58 vs Canon EOS M3 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a58 and Canon EOS M3, 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 a58
Canon EOS M3
Name Sony a58 Canon EOS M3
Manufacturer Sony Canon
Release Date and Price
Sony a58
Canon EOS M3
Release Year 2013 2015
Release Date 2013-02-20 2015-02-06
MSRP 599 USD 679 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a58
Canon EOS M3
Camera Type SLT Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a58
Canon EOS M3
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 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 20 MP 24 MP
Image Processor Bionz DIGIC 6
Image
Sony a58
Canon EOS M3
ISO Range 100 - 16000 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 9 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Optical SteadyShot INSIDE)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a58
Canon EOS M3
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
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 15 49
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF-M

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 a58
Canon EOS M3
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Tilting
Screen size 2.7” 3”
Screen dots 460000 1040000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type N/A ClearView II TFT-LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic (Optional via Canon EVF-DC2)
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Sony a58
Canon EOS M3
Frames per second 5 fps 4,2 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 0 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/0 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 10 meters 5 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation N/A +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a58
Canon EOS M3
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
H.264
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a58
Canon EOS M3
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a58
Canon EOS M3
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n with NFC)
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (via smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a58
Canon EOS M3
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
LP-E17 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 690 shots 250 shots
Width 129 mm 111 mm
Height 95 mm 68 mm
Depth 78 mm 44 mm
Weight 492 gram 366 gram