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Canon M3 vs Leica M8

Portability
85
Imaging
66
Features
76
Overall
70
Canon EOS M3 front
 
Leica M8 front
Portability
79
Imaging
50
Features
31
Overall
42

Canon M3 vs Leica M8 Key Specs

Canon M3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF-M Mount
  • 366g - 111 x 68 x 44mm
  • Revealed February 2015
  • Newer Model is Canon M6
Leica M8
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-H Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 2500
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 591g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
  • Launched July 2007
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Canon M3 vs Leica M8 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Canon M3 versus Leica M8, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Canon and Leica. There is a huge difference between the resolutions of the M3 (24MP) and M8 (10MP) and the M3 (APS-C) and M8 (APS-H) come with different sensor sizes.

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The M3 was revealed 7 years after the M8 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the M3 matches up vs the M8 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon M3 over the Leica M8

 M3 M8 
LaunchedFebruary 2015July 2007More modern by 92 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1040k230kCrisper screen (+810k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Leica M8 over the Canon M3

 M8 M3 

Common features in the Canon M3 and Leica M8

 M3 M8 
Focus manually Very accurate focus

Canon M3 vs Leica M8 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon M3 features outer dimensions of 111mm x 68mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") along with a weight of 366 grams (0.81 lbs) while the Leica M8 has proportions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") having a weight of 591 grams (1.30 lbs).

Analyze the Canon M3 versus Leica M8 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the M3 vs the M8.

Canon M3 vs Leica M8 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the M3 and M8 is 85 and 79 respectively.

Canon M3 vs Leica M8 top view buttons comparison

Canon M3 vs Leica M8 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to picture the difference between sensor sizes purely by checking specifications. The image below will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the M3 and M8.

To sum up, both the cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The M3 with its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF more challenging and the Canon M3 will give you more detail because of its extra 14 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The fresher M3 provides an advantage in sensor technology.

Canon M3 vs Leica M8 sensor size comparison

Canon M3 vs Leica M8 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon M3 vs Leica M8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon M3
Portrait photography with Leica M8
79
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
54
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-H)
saves RAW formats
no liveview
low resolution (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Canon M3 Street photography details
Leica M8 Street photography details
79
tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
has focus by touch
lack of image stabilization
62
good sensor size (APS-H)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon M3 Sports photography advice
Leica M8 Sports photography advice
61
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
has phase detect AF
low fps (4.2 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery (250 shots)
43
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
good sensor size (APS-H)
great battery (550 shots)
no liveview
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (10 megapixels)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon M3 as a Travel photography camera
Leica M8 as a Travel photography camera
73
has focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse recording
not so great battery (250 per charge)
51
great battery (550 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse function
low resolution (10MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon M3 Landscape photography info
Leica M8 Landscape photography info
68
manual focus
change lenses (Canon EF-M mount)
screen size is good (3")
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery (250 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
55
focusing manually
switch lenses (Leica M mount)
good sensor size (APS-H)
no anti-alias filter
saves RAW formats
great battery (550 CIPA)
screen is small (2.5 inch)
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (10MP)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon M3 Vlogging factors
Leica M8 Vlogging factors
80
display is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has mic port
lack of image stabilization
9
no video shooting
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Canon M3 vs Leica M8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon M3 and Leica M8
 Canon EOS M3Leica M8
General Information
Brand Canon Leica
Model type Canon EOS M3 Leica M8
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2015-02-06 2007-07-31
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 6 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-H
Sensor dimensions 22.3 x 14.9mm 27 x 18mm
Sensor area 332.3mm² 486.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 6000 x 4000 3936 x 2630
Maximum native ISO 12800 2500
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 100 160
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 49 -
Lens
Lens support Canon EF-M Leica M
Available lenses 23 59
Crop factor 1.6 1.3
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.5"
Display resolution 1,040 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Optical (rangefinder)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 8 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.2 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, on, off, slow synchro Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format H.264 -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 366 gr (0.81 lbs) 591 gr (1.30 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 68 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 72 59
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 21.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.8 11.3
DXO Low light rating 1169 663
Other
Battery life 250 photos 550 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E17 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $481 $4,400