Sony NEX-5R vs Canon EOS M3

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-5R and Canon EOS M3. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony NEX-5R is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS M3 is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.

Sony NEX-5R were released 2012 and Canon EOS M3 was released 2015. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony NEX-5R 2012
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 NEX-5R 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 NEX-5R 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 NEX-5R has a 16 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 NEX-5R 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264
Canon EOS M3 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Canon EOS M3 has a 50 % larger resolution than Sony NEX-5R. 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 NEX-5R has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS M3. Sony NEX-5R has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS M3 has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony NEX-5R 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 NEX-5R
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 NEX-5R can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS M3 can shoot up to 4,2 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony NEX-5R 10
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 NEX-5R 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.

Canon EOS M3 weighs 366 gr (equal to 0.81 lb) which is 33% heavier than Sony NEX-5R and its 276 gr (or 0.61 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony NEX-5R 276 gr
0.61 lb
Canon EOS M3 366 gr
0.81 lb

Sony NEX-5R vs Canon EOS M3 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony NEX-5R 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 NEX-5R
Canon EOS M3
Name Sony NEX-5R Canon EOS M3
Manufacturer Sony Canon
Release Date and Price
Sony NEX-5R
Canon EOS M3
Release Year 2012 2015
Release Date 2012-08-29 2015-02-06
MSRP 649 USD 679 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony NEX-5R
Canon EOS M3
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony NEX-5R
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 4912 x 3264 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 24 MP
Image Processor Bionz DIGIC 6
Image
Sony NEX-5R
Canon EOS M3
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 6 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 NEX-5R
Canon EOS M3
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
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 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 NEX-5R
Canon EOS M3
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 920000 1040000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type Tilt Up 180° Down 50° TFT LCD ClearView II TFT-LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic (Optional) Electronic (Optional via Canon EVF-DC2)
Viewfinder Coverage
Viewfinder Magnification
Viewfinder Resolution 0 0
Photography features
Sony NEX-5R
Canon EOS M3
Frames per second 10 fps 4,2 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 0 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 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 +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony NEX-5R
Canon EOS M3
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format 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 NEX-5R
Canon EOS M3
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony NEX-5R
Canon EOS M3
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-in
Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n with NFC)
Remote Control Yes (Optional RMT-DSLR1)
Yes (via smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony NEX-5R
Canon EOS M3
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NPFW50 rechargeable battery & charger
LP-E17 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 330 shots 250 shots
Width 111 mm 111 mm
Height 59 mm 68 mm
Depth 39 mm 44 mm
Weight 276 gram 366 gram