Canon M vs Panasonic GF3
89 Imaging
59 Features
65 Overall
61


90 Imaging
48 Features
48 Overall
48
Canon M vs Panasonic GF3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF-M Mount
- 298g - 109 x 66 x 32mm
- Revealed July 2012
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 160 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 264g - 108 x 67 x 32mm
- Launched August 2011
- Earlier Model is Panasonic GF2
- Newer Model is Panasonic GF5

Canon M vs Panasonic GF3 Overview
Below is a thorough overview of the Canon M versus Panasonic GF3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. There is a huge difference between the resolutions of the M (18MP) and GF3 (12MP) and the M (APS-C) and GF3 (Four Thirds) feature totally different sensor dimensions.

The M was announced 12 months later than the GF3 and they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before delving through a detailed comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the M grades vs the GF3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon M vs Panasonic GF3 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon EOS M and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3. The whole galleries are viewable at Canon M Gallery and Panasonic GF3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon M over the Panasonic GF3
M | GF3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | July 2012 | ![]() | August 2011 | More recent by 12 months |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper screen (+580k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Canon M
GF3 | M |
---|
Common features in the Canon M and Panasonic GF3
M | GF3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Canon M vs Panasonic GF3 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to lug around your camera, you need to consider its weight and size. The Canon M has external dimensions of 109mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") with a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs) and the Panasonic GF3 has specifications of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs).
Examine the Canon M versus Panasonic GF3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the M and the GF3.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the M and GF3 is 89 and 90 respectively.

Canon M vs Panasonic GF3 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it can be tough to see the gap between sensor measurements only by reading specifications. The visual underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the M and GF3.
To sum up, both cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The M with its bigger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field easier and the Canon M will offer greater detail with its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The fresher M is going to have an advantage in sensor technology.

Canon M vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon M vs Panasonic GF3 Specifications
Canon EOS M | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Panasonic |
Model | Canon EOS M | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2012-07-23 | 2011-08-11 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-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 area | 332.3mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 5184 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 6400 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 25600 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 160 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 31 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Canon EF-M | Micro Four Thirds |
Amount of lenses | 23 | 107 |
Crop factor | 1.6 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 1,040 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display technology | Clear View II TFT LCD | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
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 | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 6.30 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/200 seconds | 1/160 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 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD, Motion JPEG |
Mic 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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 298 grams (0.66 pounds) | 264 grams (0.58 pounds) |
Dimensions | 109 x 66 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") | 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 65 | 50 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.1 | 20.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.2 | 10.1 |
DXO Low light score | 827 | 459 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 230 images | 300 images |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | LP-E12 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at release | $510 | $360 |