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Canon M3 vs Nikon 1 J1

Portability
85
Imaging
66
Features
76
Overall
70
Canon EOS M3 front
 
Nikon 1 J1 front
Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
56
Overall
46

Canon M3 vs Nikon 1 J1 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
  • Announced February 2015
  • Replacement is Canon M6
Nikon 1 J1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 234g - 106 x 61 x 30mm
  • Announced January 2012
  • Replacement is Nikon 1 J2
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Canon M3 vs Nikon 1 J1 Overview

Below is a thorough overview of the Canon M3 and Nikon 1 J1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the M3 (24MP) and 1 J1 (10MP) and the M3 (APS-C) and 1 J1 (1") feature totally different sensor dimensions.

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The M3 was released 3 years later than the 1 J1 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise summary of how the M3 scores vs the 1 J1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon M3 over the Nikon 1 J1

 M3 1 J1 
AnnouncedFebruary 2015January 2012More recent by 38 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1040k460kCrisper display (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J1 over the Canon M3

 1 J1 M3 

Common features in the Canon M3 and Nikon 1 J1

 M3 1 J1 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing

Canon M3 vs Nikon 1 J1 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to lug around your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Canon M3 features exterior 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) whilst the Nikon 1 J1 has specifications of 106mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 234 grams (0.52 lbs).

Look at the Canon M3 and Nikon 1 J1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select during that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the M3 against the 1 J1.

Canon M3 vs Nikon 1 J1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the M3 and 1 J1 is 85 and 91 respectively.

Canon M3 vs Nikon 1 J1 top view buttons comparison

Canon M3 vs Nikon 1 J1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to see the gap in sensor measurements simply by going through a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the M3 and 1 J1.

Clearly, each of these cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The M3 featuring a larger sensor will make shooting bokeh simpler and the Canon M3 will produce extra detail as a result of its extra 14MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos much more aggressively. The more modern M3 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Canon M3 vs Nikon 1 J1 sensor size comparison

Canon M3 vs Nikon 1 J1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon M3 vs Nikon 1 J1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon M3 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon 1 J1 as a Portrait photography camera
79
you can focus manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
48
focusing manually
good sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
can't use external flash
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon M3
Street photography with Nikon 1 J1
79
tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
includes focus by touch
no image stabilization
69
good sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
lighter than average (234g)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon M3 as a Sports photography camera
Nikon 1 J1 as a Sports photography camera
61
good resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
has phase detect autofocus
max fps low (4.2 fps)
no image stabilization
not so great battery life (250 shots)
48
quiet mode (1/16,000 seconds)
good sensor size (1")
supports tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect AF
no image stabilization
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
bad battery (230 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon M3
Travel photography with Nikon 1 J1
73
includes focus by touch
good resolution (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
no Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (250 shots)
60
lighter than average (234g)
built-in flash
bad battery (230 per charge)
resolution not great (10MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon M3 as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon 1 J1 as a Landscape photography camera
68
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF-M mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
good resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
not so great battery life (250 CIPA)
no Time Lapse recording
56
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen is a good size (3")
good sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
no image stabilization
resolution not great (10MP)
bad battery (230 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon M3 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon 1 J1 as a Vlogging camera
80
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
provides face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external mic jack
no image stabilization
30
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (234g)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
missing external microphone port
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Canon M3 vs Nikon 1 J1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon M3 and Nikon 1 J1
 Canon EOS M3Nikon 1 J1
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model type Canon EOS M3 Nikon 1 J1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2015-02-06 2012-01-20
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 6 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1"
Sensor measurements 22.3 x 14.9mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 332.3mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 6000 x 4000 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Max boosted ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 49 135
Lens
Lens support Canon EF-M Nikon 1
Number of lenses 23 13
Crop factor 1.6 2.7
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 1,040k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Maximum quiet shutter speed - 1/16000s
Continuous shooting speed 4.2 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.00 m
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/60s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 1072 x 720 (60 fps) 640 x 240 (400), 320 x 120 (1200)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 grams (0.81 lbs) 234 grams (0.52 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 68 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") 106 x 61 x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 72 56
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 21.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.8 11.0
DXO Low light rating 1169 372
Other
Battery life 250 photos 230 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E17 EN-EL20
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots One One
Retail price $481 $625