Canon EOS 5DS vs Sony NEX-3

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Sony NEX-3
      73
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      59
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Canon EOS 5DS and the Sony NEX-3, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Canon EOS 5DS was introduced in February 2015 and Sony NEX-3 was introduced in June 2010. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Canon EOS 5DS Highlights

      • 50.6 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 6,400 Native ISO
      • 61 Focus Points (61 Cross-type)
      • 3.2" 1,040k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 5.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Sony NEX-3 Highlights

      • 14.2 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 200 - 12,800 Native ISO
      • 25 Focus Points
      • 3.0" 920k dot Tilting Screen
      • 7.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Canon EOS 5DS
      4. Advantage of Sony NEX-3
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Canon EOS 5DS and Sony NEX-3.

      PROS

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Sony NEX-3

      •   Video Capture
      •   Large Sensor
      •   High Resolution Sensor - 50.6 Megapixel
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   High DxO Overall Score - 87
      •   Webcam Functionality
      •   High USB Speed
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Video Capture
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 297 g (0.65 lb / 10.48 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Sony NEX-3

      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14.2 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 330 shots


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Sony NEX-3

      •   Price
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   -2 EV Min AF Detection
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   Weight - 930 g (2.05 lb / 32.80 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 700 shots
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 68

      Advantage of Canon EOS 5DS

      Canon 5DS
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon EOS 5DS over Sony NEX-3.

      Canon EOS 5DS vs Sony NEX-3
      Larger Sensor Full Frame vs APS-C
      Higher Sensor Resolution 50.6 Megapixel vs 14.2 Megapixel
      Lower Native ISO 100 vs 200
      Max Image Resolution 8688 x 5792 vs 4592 x 3056
      Timelapse Recording vs
      More Focus Points 61 vs 25
      Center Autofocus vs
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Phase Detection for Autofocus vs
      Larger Screen 3.2" vs 3.0"
      Higher Resolution Screen 1,040k dot vs 920k dot
      Top LCD Screen vs
      Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) vs
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/8000 sec vs 1/4000 sec
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/200 sec vs 1/160 sec
      Partial Metering vs
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 2381 vs 830
      Higher DxO Color Depth 24.7 vs 22.1
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 12.4 vs 12.0
      Higher DxO Overall Score 87 vs 68
      Higher Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 vs 1280 x 720
      Higher USB Speed USB 3.2 Gen 1x1 (5 GBit/sec) vs USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
      Microphone Input vs
      Environmental Sealing vs
      Dust Proof vs
      Longer Battery Life 700 shots vs 330 shots
      More Storage Slots 2 vs 1

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon EOS 5DS.

      Canon 5D III
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      Full Frame

      22.3 MP

      Canon 5DS R
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Panasonic S1
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      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Panasonic S1
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.33-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon 5D
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      Full Frame

      13.3 MP

      Leica D-Lux (Typ 109)
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      12.8 MP

      Canon 5D IV
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      Full Frame

      30.4 MP

      Canon 5D II
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      Full Frame

      21.1 MP

      Nikon A
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      APS-C

      16.2 MP

      Sony a6700
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      APS-C

      26.0 MP

      Fujifilm GFX 100
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      Medium format

      102 MP

      Sigma SD1 Merrill
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      APS-C

      15 MP

      Advantage of Sony NEX-3

      Sony NEX-3
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony NEX-3 over Canon EOS 5DS.

      Canon EOS 5DS vs Sony NEX-3
      Higher Native ISO 6,400 vs 12,800
      Screen Type Fixed vs Tilting
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 5.0 fps vs 7.0 fps
      Built-in Microphone Mono vs Stereo
      Lighter 930 g (2.05 lb / 32.80 oz) vs 297 g (0.65 lb / 10.48 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sony NEX-3.

      Sony NEX-C3
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      APS-C

      16 MP

      Sony NEX-7
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      APS-C

      24.3 MP

      Sony NEX-5N
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-3N
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-5R
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-F3
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-5
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      APS-C

      14 MP

      Sony NEX-6
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-5T
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Canon Rebel T5
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      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Sony a7S III
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      Full Frame

      12.1 MP

      Sony a7R III
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      Full Frame

      42.4 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Canon EOS 5DS Sony NEX-3
        Video Capture
        Face Detection
        Live View Autofocus
        HDMI Output Mini Mini Type C
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Canon EOS 5DS Sony NEX-3
        No Image Stabilization
        Low Video Resolution1920 x 10801280 x 720
        Low Video Recording Limit30 min30 min
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi Eye-Fi is possible
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Canon EOS 5DS has a 3.2" Fixed screen with 1,040k dot resolution and Sony NEX-3 has a 3.0" Tilting screen with 920k dot resolution. Tilting screen makes Sony NEX-3 very useful for photography purposes but not so useful for video shooting.


      Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder on Canon EOS 5DS

      Canon EOS 5DS has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 100% coverage and 0.71x magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Sony NEX-3.

      Sensor

      Canon EOS 5DS features a 50.6 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 36 x 24 mm and a total area of 864 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400 and expands to 100 - 12,800 in boosted mode. Sony NEX-3 features a 14.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.4 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 243.4 mm2. Its native ISO range is 200 - 12,800.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Canon EOS 5DS is equipped with Dual DIGIC 6 processor and can take pictures up to 8688 x 5792 resolution. Sony NEX-3 is equipped with BIONZ processor and can take pictures up to 4592 x 3056 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4592 x 2576, 3344 x 2224, 3344 x 1872, 2288 x 1520, 2288 x 1280 with 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Canon EOS 5DS has Canon EF lens mount and Sony NEX-3 has Sony E lens mount. Due to Full Frame sensor in Canon EOS 5DS its crop factor is equal to 1x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length. Due to APS-C sensor in Sony NEX-3 its crop factor is equal to 1.5x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


      No Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Canon EOS 5DS it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Sony NEX-3 nothing can be done. On Sony NEX-3 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Canon EOS 5DS nothing can be done.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB inputs for data transfer. Canon EOS 5DS has a Mini HDMI and Sony NEX-3 has a Mini Type C HDMI connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Canon EOS 5DS comes with LP-E6 battery pack with battery life of 700 shots and Sony NEX-3 comes with NPFW50 battery pack with battery life of 330 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Canon EOS 5DS has two card slots - one for SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) and one for CompactFlash (UDMA 7). Sony NEX-3 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Canon EOS 5DS, and up to 1/4000 sec on Sony NEX-3. Canon EOS 5DS can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps. Sony NEX-3 can shoot continuously up to 7.0 fps.


      Focusing

      Canon EOS 5DS has Dual Pixel CMOS AF system with 61 (41 cross-type) focusing points and Sony NEX-3 has 25 focusing points. Canon EOS 5DS has detection range from -2 to +18 EV.


      Exposure

      Exposure meterings of Canon EOS 5DS ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Canon EOS 5DS and ±2 EV range on Sony NEX-3. You can also do exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Canon EOS 5DS and and manual exposure adjustment on Sony NEX-3.


      Flash

      Cameras have no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected to both of them via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal to Canon EOS 5DS and via Smart accessory Terminal to Sony NEX-3. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on Canon EOS 5DS and 1/160 sec on Sony NEX-3.

      Physical Parameters

      Canon EOS 5DS body has dimensions of 152 x 116 x 76 mm (5.98 x 4.57 x 2.99") and Sony NEX-3 body has dimensions of 117 x 62 x 33 mm (4.61 x 2.44 x 1.3"). Canon EOS 5DS weighs 930 g (2.05 lb / 32.80 oz) and Sony NEX-3 weighs 297 g (0.65 lb / 10.48 oz).

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Sony NEX-3

      152 mm

      116 mm

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      117 mm

      62 mm

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      116 mm

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      62 mm

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      Size comparisons of Canon EOS 5DS and Sony NEX-3

      Canon EOS 5DS and Sony NEX-3 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Sony NEX-3

      EXCELLENT
      86
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      70
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Sony NEX-3

      GOOD
      74
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Battery Life - 700 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 330 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Sony NEX-3

      GOOD
      70
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Battery Life - 700 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      55
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 330 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Sony NEX-3

      GOOD
      82
      •   Large Sensor
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      79
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Sony NEX-3

      GOOD
      79
      •   Large Sensor
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 930 g (2.05 lb / 32.80 oz)
      GOOD
      82
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 297 g (0.65 lb / 10.48 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Sony NEX-3

      GOOD
      76
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 930 g (2.05 lb / 32.80 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 700 shots
      GOOD
      82
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 297 g (0.65 lb / 10.48 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 330 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Canon EOS 5DS and Sony NEX-3 and give them scores of 73 and 59 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Canon EOS 5DS

      Sony NEX-3

      OVERALL
      73
      OVERALL
      59

      Sensor

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Sony NEX-3

      GOOD
      75
      •   Large Sensor
      •   High Resolution Sensor - 50.6 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   High DxO Overall Score - 87
      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14.2 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 68

      Photo

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Sony NEX-3

      GOOD
      75
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      AVERAGE
      55
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec

      Video

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Sony NEX-3

      BAD
      32
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Webcam Functionality
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      BAD
      9
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   Low Video Recording Limit

      Focusing

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Sony NEX-3

      GOOD
      83
      •   -2 EV Min AF Detection
      •   61 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      67
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Sony NEX-3

      GOOD
      74
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,040k dot
      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Connectivity

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Sony NEX-3

      GOOD
      77
      •   High USB Speed
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Canon EOS 5DS

      Sony NEX-3

      GOOD
      72
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 930 g (2.05 lb / 32.80 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 700 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 297 g (0.65 lb / 10.48 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 330 shots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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