Canon M vs Panasonic G3
89 Imaging
59 Features
65 Overall
61


83 Imaging
51 Features
62 Overall
55
Canon M vs Panasonic G3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF-M Mount
- 298g - 109 x 66 x 32mm
- Introduced July 2012
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 160 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 336g - 115 x 84 x 47mm
- Introduced July 2011
- Older Model is Panasonic G2
- Successor is Panasonic G5

Canon M vs Panasonic G3 Overview
Let's look closer at the Canon M versus Panasonic G3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the M (18MP) and the G3 (16MP) is pretty comparable but the M (APS-C) and G3 (Four Thirds) posses different sensor size.

The M was announced 13 months later than the G3 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Canon M being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic G3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the M scores versus the G3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon M vs Panasonic G3 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon EOS M and Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3. The whole galleries are available at Canon M Gallery and Panasonic G3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon M over the Panasonic G3
M | G3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | July 2012 | ![]() | July 2011 | Fresher by 13 months |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer screen (+580k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic G3 over the Canon M
G3 | M | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Canon M and Panasonic G3
M | G3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen size |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Canon M vs Panasonic G3 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry your camera often, you have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon M features outside 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 Panasonic G3 has dimensions of 115mm x 84mm x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") along with a weight of 336 grams (0.74 lbs).
Contrast the Canon M versus Panasonic G3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the M versus the G3.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the M and G3 is 89 and 83 respectively.

Canon M vs Panasonic G3 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizing simply by checking out technical specs. The visual underneath will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the M and G3.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The M using its bigger sensor is going to make getting bokeh simpler and the Canon M will show extra detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures more aggressively. The newer M provides an edge in sensor technology.

Canon M vs Panasonic G3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon M vs Panasonic G3 Specifications
Canon EOS M | Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Panasonic |
Model type | Canon EOS M | Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2012-07-23 | 2011-07-11 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 5 | Venus Engine FHD |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 22.3 x 14.9mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor surface area | 332.3mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 5184 x 3456 | 4592 x 3448 |
Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 6400 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 25600 | - |
Min native ISO | 100 | 160 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 31 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Canon EF-M | Micro Four Thirds |
Amount of lenses | 23 | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.6 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Display diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 1,040k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display technology | Clear View II TFT LCD | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 1,440k dot |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.7x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60s | 60s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 4.0 frames/s | 4.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 11.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/200s | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
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 (60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps)) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD, Motion JPEG |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 gr (0.66 lbs) | 336 gr (0.74 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 109 x 66 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") | 115 x 84 x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 65 | 56 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.1 | 21.0 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.2 | 10.6 |
DXO Low light rating | 827 | 667 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 230 photos | 270 photos |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | LP-E12 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail pricing | $510 | $500 |