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Canon M vs Olympus E-P3

Portability
89
Imaging
59
Features
65
Overall
61
Canon EOS M front
 
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
60
Overall
52

Canon M vs Olympus E-P3 Key Specs

Canon M
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF-M Mount
  • 298g - 109 x 66 x 32mm
  • Released July 2012
Olympus E-P3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 369g - 122 x 69 x 34mm
  • Announced August 2011
  • Superseded the Olympus E-P2
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-P5
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Canon M vs Olympus E-P3 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Canon M and Olympus E-P3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Canon and Olympus. There exists a significant gap among the sensor resolutions of the M (18MP) and E-P3 (12MP) and the M (APS-C) and E-P3 (Four Thirds) use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The M was introduced 12 months after the E-P3 and they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief summary of how the M matches up vs the E-P3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon M over the Olympus E-P3

 M E-P3 
AnnouncedJuly 2012August 2011Newer by 12 months
Display resolution1040k614kClearer display (+426k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Canon M

 E-P3 M 

Common features in the Canon M and Olympus E-P3

 M E-P3 
Manual focus More exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Canon M vs Olympus E-P3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon M offers exterior measurements of 109mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-P3 has measurements of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") and a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs).

Check out the Canon M and Olympus E-P3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the M against the E-P3.

Canon M vs Olympus E-P3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the M and E-P3 is 89 and 86 respectively.

Canon M vs Olympus E-P3 top view buttons comparison

Canon M vs Olympus E-P3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to see the gap in sensor dimensions simply by researching specs. The pic here may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the M and E-P3.

All in all, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The M with its larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Canon M will provide you with more detail using its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images far more aggressively. The more recent M is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Canon M vs Olympus E-P3 sensor size comparison

Canon M vs Olympus E-P3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon M vs Olympus E-P3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon M
Portrait photography with Olympus E-P3
75
manual focus
megapixel count good (18MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
exports RAW formats
60
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Canon M Street photography highlights
Olympus E-P3 Street photography highlights
72
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
boasts touch focus
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
75
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
features touch to focus
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Canon M as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-P3 as a Sports photography camera
54
megapixel count good (18MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
slow frames per second (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery power (230 shots)
48
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon M
Travel photography with Olympus E-P3
63
boasts touch focus
megapixel count good (18MP)
no Timelapse function
terrible battery power (230 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
59
features touch to focus
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
MP count low (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon M Landscape photography info
Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography info
65
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF-M mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
megapixel count good (18MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery power (230 CIPA)
no Timelapse function
64
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon M Vlogging info
Olympus E-P3 Vlogging info
37
touchscreen
includes face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external microphone socket
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
35
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
no microphone jack
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Canon M vs Olympus E-P3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon M and Olympus E-P3
 Canon EOS MOlympus PEN E-P3
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Olympus
Model type Canon EOS M Olympus PEN E-P3
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2012-07-23 2011-08-17
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 5 TruePic VI
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 22.3 x 14.9mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 332.3mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3
Max resolution 5184 x 3456 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 12800 12800
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 31 35
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF-M Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 23 107
Focal length multiplier 1.6 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dot 614 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech Clear View II TFT LCD 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.00 m (@ ISO 200)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/200 seconds 1/180 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 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 298 grams (0.66 lbs) 369 grams (0.81 lbs)
Dimensions 109 x 66 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 65 51
DXO Color Depth rating 22.1 20.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.2 10.1
DXO Low light rating 827 536
Other
Battery life 230 photographs 330 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E12 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots One One
Launch price $510 $0