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Canon M vs Nikon Z fc

Portability
89
Imaging
59
Features
65
Overall
61
Canon EOS M front
 
Nikon Z fc front
Portability
79
Imaging
69
Features
80
Overall
73

Canon M vs Nikon Z fc Key Specs

Canon M
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF-M Mount
  • 298g - 109 x 66 x 32mm
  • Launched July 2012
Nikon Z fc
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 445g - 135 x 94 x 44mm
  • Announced June 2021
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Canon M vs Nikon Z fc Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Canon M and Nikon Z fc, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the M (18MP) and the Z fc (21MP) is fairly similar and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The M was unveiled 10 years earlier than the Z fc and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Canon M being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Nikon Z fc being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick summation of how the M grades against the Z fc with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon M over the Nikon Z fc

 M Z fc 

Reasons to pick Nikon Z fc over the Canon M

 Z fc M 
AnnouncedJune 2021July 2012More recent by 108 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Canon M and Nikon Z fc

 M Z fc 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Display resolution1040k1040kThe same display resolution
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Canon M vs Nikon Z fc Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon M enjoys outside measurements of 109mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") with a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs) whilst the Nikon Z fc has dimensions of 135mm x 94mm x 44mm (5.3" x 3.7" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 445 grams (0.98 lbs).

Compare the Canon M and Nikon Z fc in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the M compared to the Z fc.

Canon M vs Nikon Z fc size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the M and Z fc is 89 and 79 respectively.

Canon M vs Nikon Z fc top view buttons comparison

Canon M vs Nikon Z fc Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to picture the difference between sensor measurements merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The photograph below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the M and Z fc.

Clearly, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You can anticipate the Nikon Z fc to deliver extra detail having an extra 3 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The older M is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon M vs Nikon Z fc sensor size comparison

Canon M vs Nikon Z fc Screen and ViewFinder

Canon M vs Nikon Z fc Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon M as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon Z fc as a Portrait photography camera
75
you can focus manually
MP count good (18 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
exports RAW formats
81
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (21MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon M as a Street photography camera
Nikon Z fc as a Street photography camera
72
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
includes focus by touch
fixed screen
no image stabilization
74
screen articulates
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
features touch focus
very good ISO range (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (445g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon M
Sports photography with Nikon Z fc
54
MP count good (18 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
slow fps (4.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low battery power (230 shots)
67
decent sensor resolution (21MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
supports phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (300 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Canon M Travel photography factors
Nikon Z fc Travel photography factors
63
includes focus by touch
MP count good (18 megapixels)
no Timelapse mode
low battery power (230 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
72
supports bluetooth
features touch focus
decent sensor resolution (21 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
terrible battery (300 CIPA)
more heavy than average in class (445g)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon M
Landscape photography with Nikon Z fc
65
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Canon EF-M mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
MP count good (18 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
low battery power (230 per charge)
no Timelapse mode
75
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (300 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon M Vlogging features
Nikon Z fc Vlogging features
37
touch screen
provides face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has microphone port
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
73
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
supports face detection focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with external microphone port
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (445 grams)
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Canon M vs Nikon Z fc Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon M and Nikon Z fc
 Canon EOS MNikon Z fc
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model Canon EOS M Nikon Z fc
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2012-07-23 2021-06-28
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 5 -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 22.3 x 14.9mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 332.3mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 21 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5184 x 3456 5568 x 3712
Highest native ISO 12800 51200
Highest boosted ISO 25600 204800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 31 209
Lens
Lens mount Canon EF-M Nikon Z
Number of lenses 23 21
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,040k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech Clear View II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.68x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames per sec 11.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/200 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 298 gr (0.66 lbs) 445 gr (0.98 lbs)
Physical dimensions 109 x 66 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") 135 x 94 x 44mm (5.3" x 3.7" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 65 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 827 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 pictures 300 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E12 EN-EL25
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $510 $949