Canon EOS M2 vs Sony a3000 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · Mirrorless · 18 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Canon EOS M2
46
SCORE
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 20.1 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony a3000
49
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS M2 and the Sony a3000 are both mirrorless cameras released in 2013, so neither carries a generational edge. The EOS M2 takes Canon EF-M lenses while the a3000 uses the Sony E mount, which shapes the lenses each camera can accept. The a3000 is the larger body at 128 x 91 x 85 mm and 411 g, against the EOS M2's 116 x 88 x 59 mm and 387 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2013 | 2013 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
December 3, 2013 | August 27, 2013 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 116 x 88 x 59 mm | 128 x 91 x 85 mm |
| Camera weight | 387 g | 411 g |
| Optics | 44/100 | 58/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe a3000's 20.1 MP sensor gives a little extra room to crop or enlarge compared with the EOS M2's 18 MP, though both use APS-C CMOS sensors. For photographing active subjects, the EOS M2 is the clear winner: its 10 fps burst and 31 autofocus points outpace the a3000's 2.5 fps and 25 points. The EOS M2's electronic viewfinder is also far more detailed, at 2,360,000 dots against the a3000's 201,600. Both share the same 1/4000 second top shutter speed, and neither has in-body stabilisation, so steady handheld work in dim light depends on the lens. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
18 MP050 | 20.1 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6000 x 4000 | 5456 x 3632 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
14.9 x 22.3 | 15.6 x 23.5 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
10 fps045 | 2.5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF-M | Sony E |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic 8 | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
128003003280000 | 160003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 160003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
310300 | 250300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 236000009900000 | 20160009900000 |
| Video | 57/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Sony a3000 gives you more room for slow motion: its maximum video frame rate of 60 fps is twice the EOS M2's 30 fps, so sports or running pets can be slowed further while staying smooth. Both cap out at Full HD resolution, so neither offers 4K. The EOS M2 has a built-in interval timer, which the a3000 lacks, so day-to-night timelapses need no external trigger. Canon records MOV and Sony AVCHD, a difference that shapes how footage fits an editing workflow. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | No |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV | AVCHD |
| Features | 57/100 | 36/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe EOS M2's touchscreen makes setting focus points and adjusting settings quick by tapping directly on the subject, while the a3000 relies entirely on buttons. Its 1,040,000-dot LCD is also much more detailed than the a3000's 230,400-dot screen for reviewing shots on the camera. The a3000 answers with a tilting LCD for waist-level or overhead framing, which the EOS M2's fixed screen cannot do. Both include built-in flash, an external flash shoe, Wi-Fi and live view, and both omit GPS and weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | No |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 2304001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 21/100 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryFor long days out, the a3000's rating of 470 shots comfortably exceeds the EOS M2's 305. Each uses its own battery type, the NP-FW50 and the LP-E12 respectively. Neither offers USB charging or a second card slot. Both take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, but the a3000 also accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo, and the EOS M2 supports UHS-I transfer speeds for faster card offload after a shoot. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC / Memory Stick Pro Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | LP-E12 | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
305 shots1505000 | 470 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon EOS M2 if you photograph moving subjects like children, wildlife or street scenes, because its 10 fps burst, 31 autofocus points and 2,360,000-dot viewfinder make it far better suited to action than the 2.5 fps a3000. Its touchscreen and timelapse mode add everyday convenience.
Choose the Sony a3000 if you mostly shoot static scenes, portraits or landscapes and value its higher 470-shot battery rating, along with its 60 fps maximum video frame rate for smoother slow motion. The tilting screen helps with low and high angles. EF-M and Sony E are separate mounts, so weigh each system's native lenses before buying.