Sony a7R vs Canon EOS M3

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7R and Canon EOS M3. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a7R is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS M3 is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.

Sony a7R 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 a7R 2013
Canon EOS M3 2015

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a7R has a "Sony Full Frame"-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 a7R 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
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 a7R has a 36 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 a7R 36 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912
Canon EOS M3 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Sony a7R has a 51 % larger resolution than Canon EOS M3. 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 a7R has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS M3. Sony a7R has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS M3 has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a7R 100-25600
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 a7R
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 a7R can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS M3 can shoot up to 4,2 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a7R 4
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 a7R 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 a7R weighs 465 gr (equal to 1.03 lb) which is 27% heavier than Canon EOS M3 and its 366 gr (or 0.81 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a7R 465 gr
1.03 lb
Canon EOS M3 366 gr
0.81 lb

Sony a7R vs Canon EOS M3 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7R 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 a7R
Canon EOS M3
Name Sony a7R Canon EOS M3
Manufacturer Sony Canon
Release Date and Price
Sony a7R
Canon EOS M3
Release Year 2013 2015
Release Date 2013-10-16 2015-02-06
MSRP 2299 USD 679 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a7R
Canon EOS M3
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a7R
Canon EOS M3
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 7360 x 4912 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 36 MP 24 MP
Image Processor Bionz X DIGIC 6
Image
Sony a7R
Canon EOS M3
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 10 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a7R
Canon EOS M3
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
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 49
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF-M

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 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 a7R
Canon EOS M3
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1230000 1040000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type Xtra Fine LCD ClearView II TFT-LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic (Optional via Canon EVF-DC2)
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71x
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Sony a7R
Canon EOS M3
Frames per second 4 fps 4,2 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 0 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/0 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 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 +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a7R
Canon EOS M3
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
AVCHD
H.264
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a7R
Canon EOS M3
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a7R
Canon EOS M3
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (with NFC and wireless control via PlayMemories Mobile app)
Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n with NFC)
Remote Control Yes (Wired) Yes (via smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a7R
Canon EOS M3
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger
LP-E17 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 340 shots 250 shots
Width 127 mm 111 mm
Height 94 mm 68 mm
Depth 48 mm 44 mm
Weight 465 gram 366 gram