Canon M vs Olympus E-P3
89 Imaging
59 Features
65 Overall
61


86 Imaging
47 Features
60 Overall
52
Canon M vs Olympus E-P3 Key Specs
(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
(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- Superseded the Olympus E-P2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

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.

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.

Canon M vs Olympus E-P3 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon EOS M and Olympus PEN E-P3. The whole galleries are viewable at Canon M Gallery and Olympus E-P3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon M over the Olympus E-P3
M | E-P3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | July 2012 | ![]() | August 2011 | Newer by 12 months |
Display resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 614k | Clearer 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon M vs Olympus E-P3 Specifications
Canon EOS M | Olympus 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 |