Canon 7D vs Canon M3
56 Imaging
57 Features
70 Overall
62


85 Imaging
65 Features
76 Overall
69
Canon 7D vs Canon M3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Increase to 12800)
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF/EF-S Mount
- 860g - 148 x 111 x 74mm
- Introduced November 2009
- Replacement is Canon 7D MII
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF-M Mount
- 366g - 111 x 68 x 44mm
- Introduced February 2015
- New Model is Canon M6

Canon 7D vs Canon M3 Overview
On this page, we are looking at the Canon 7D versus Canon M3, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both produced by Canon. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the 7D (18MP) and M3 (24MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

The 7D was announced 6 years prior to the M3 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Canon 7D being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Canon M3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before going right into a full comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the 7D grades against the M3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon 7D vs Canon M3 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon EOS 7D & Canon EOS M3. The whole galleries are available at Canon 7D Gallery & Canon M3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 7D over the Canon M3
7D | M3 |
---|
Reasons to pick Canon M3 over the Canon 7D
M3 | 7D | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2015 | ![]() | November 2009 | Fresher by 63 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 920k | Clearer display (+120k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Canon 7D and Canon M3
7D | M3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display sizing |
Canon 7D vs Canon M3 Physical Comparison
When you are going to carry your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon 7D has got physical measurements of 148mm x 111mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 2.9") and a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs) and the Canon M3 has dimensions of 111mm x 68mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") and a weight of 366 grams (0.81 lbs).
Analyze the Canon 7D versus Canon M3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Here is a front view scale comparison of the 7D compared to the M3.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the 7D and M3 is 56 and 85 respectively.

Canon 7D vs Canon M3 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is very tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing just by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic below may offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the 7D and M3.
As you can see, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Canon M3 to result in greater detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images more aggressively. The older 7D will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Canon 7D vs Canon M3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 7D vs Canon M3 Specifications
Canon EOS 7D | Canon EOS M3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Canon |
Model type | Canon EOS 7D | Canon EOS M3 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2009-11-06 | 2015-02-06 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Dual Digic 4 | DIGIC 6 |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 22.3 x 14.9mm | 22.3 x 14.9mm |
Sensor area | 332.3mm² | 332.3mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixel | 24 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 5184 x 3456 | 6000 x 4000 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Max enhanced ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 19 | 49 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Canon EF/EF-S | Canon EF-M |
Amount of lenses | 326 | 23 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.6 | 1.6 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 920 thousand dots | 1,040 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display technology | TFT color LCD, liquid-crystal monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic (optional) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.63x | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 8.0 frames per second | 4.2 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m | 5.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye | Auto, on, off, slow synchro |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/250 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | H.264 | H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 860g (1.90 lb) | 366g (0.81 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 148 x 111 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 2.9") | 111 x 68 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 66 | 72 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.0 | 22.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.7 | 11.8 |
DXO Low light rating | 854 | 1169 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 800 pictures | 250 pictures |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | LP-E6 | LP-E17 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Microdrive cards | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at release | $1,050 | $481 |