Canon Remote Release Jack Style E3 versus Jack style N3

Canon uses jack style N3 for its higher level cameras, such as the R5. This style is a proprietary design with a specific plug orientation. When pushed in to the camera socket it locks in place with a click.


Canon uses jack style E3 for their lower-level cameras--such as the R6. E3 is a 2.5mm audio-style mini-jack plug which pushes in and pulls out of the camera’s remote socket.

I can't see any superiority to the N3 design. If anything, it seems to be to practically inferior. It has the aggravation of requiring a specific orientation to plug in, and it's unique to Canon.

Agreed, it’s super annoying to need 2 different connectors if you have more than one body (e.g. an R5 and an R, or a 5d4 and a 90d). But the N3 is a little less likely to get dislodged.

In addition the Canon N3 wired remote and intervalometer are stupidly expensive.

puttick wrote in post #19322824
Agreed, it’s super annoying to need 2 different connectors if you have more than one body (e.g. an R5 and an R, or a 5d4 and a 90d). But the N3 is a little less likely to get dislodged.

In addition the Canon N3 wired remote and intervalometer are stupidly expensive.

I would not agree that the N3 is, practically speaking, less likely to be dislodged. But for sure, it's a lot harder to get connected in dim and fumbly situations when your fingers are numb and you're balancing on the top of a ladder.

If the cord gets snagged or pulled, the E3 which is just a 2.5mm jack just gets pulled right out. Not so with the N3 which in my experience is definitely more secure. But it’s not a big issue. The compatibility and cost are an issue.

puttick wrote in post #19328631
If the cord gets snagged or pulled, the E3 which is just a 2.5mm jack just gets pulled right out. Not so with the N3 which in my experience is definitely more secure. But it’s not a big issue. The compatibility and cost are an issue.

OTOH, what really reduces chance of accidental pull out is the OFFSET design of the N3 cord. If the 2.5mm jack cable was like this, similarly offset, there were not really be a strong advantage of N3 vs. E3

N3 is a development of Canon's first electrical remote control contact, the T3. That was even more secure, but it was considered a nuisance to connect and disconnect, since you had to screw it in and out. So they made a similar connector, but made intentional plugging and unplugging as easy as it could be, while still maintaining a lock for the connector.

Then came a desire for a cost-reduced connector for the low-level cameras, and there you got E3.

This short history lesson may explain why it is as it is. Even if you don't like it any better for that.

apersson850 wrote in post #19328896
N3 is a development of Canon's first electrical remote control contact, the T3. That was even more secure, but it was considered a nuisance to connect and disconnect, since you had to screw it in and out. So they made a similar connector, but made intentional plugging and unplugging as easy as it could be, while still maintaining a lock for the connector.

Then came a desire for a cost-reduced connector for the low-level cameras, and there you got E3.

This short history lesson may explain why it is as it is. Even if you don't like it any better for that.

I would recommend, then, the E3 with an optional screw-in capability...like the old screw-lock PC connector they used to have.

puttick wrote in post #19322824
Agreed, it’s super annoying to need 2 different connectors if you have more than one body (e.g. an R5 and an R, or a 5d4 and a 90d). But the N3 is a little less likely to get dislodged.

In addition the Canon N3 wired remote and intervalometer are stupidly expensive.

There are so many other better wired and wireless remotes than Canon's overpriced offerings... I would shy away from Canon's items in this regard.

I am waiting for that one enterprising individual to design an N3 to 2.5mm adapter, and vice versa... They do the same exact things, and you only worry about the pinouts for each adapter, and these pinouts are very easily obtainable on the web.

The 2.5mm is just fine and very stable. If you have situations that are constantly pulling out the plug, I would suggest re-evaluating the situation that is causing this.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #19328974
I am waiting for that one enterprising individual to design an N3 to 2.5mm adapter, and vice versa... They do the same exact things, and you only worry about the pinouts for each adapter, and these pinouts are very easily obtainable on the web.

The 2.5mm is just fine and very stable. If you have situations that are constantly pulling out the plug, I would suggest re-evaluating the situation that is causing this.

One could do what some aftermarket suppliers do...one remote unit with interchangeable cords, and supply both.

Wilt wrote in post #19329051
One could do what some aftermarket suppliers do...one remote unit with interchangeable cords, and supply both.

While I had cameras that used both types, that's what I did. Canon drove me to it.

Canon could but didn’t, and won’t, unfortunately.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #19328974
I am waiting for that one enterprising individual to design an N3 to 2.5mm adapter, and vice versa... They do the same exact things, and you only worry about the pinouts for each adapter, and these pinouts are very easily obtainable on the web.

The 2.5mm is just fine and very stable. If you have situations that are constantly pulling out the plug, I would suggest re-evaluating the situation that is causing this.

In fact, regardless of the style of plug, if the situation was one that put that kind of stress on the jack, I'd rig something to prevent that stress from reaching the jack. I've had a jack get "jacked up" that way...it's an expensive repair.

I always, always rig some kind of strain relief, even if it's just throwing an extra loop of the cable around something solid.

when I first got a Canon N3 connectored remote, I spliced in a 2.5mm plug & inline socket so I could use it on various cameras, plus have the option of adding an extension cord.