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Canon M3 vs Nikon 1 J2

Portability
85
Imaging
66
Features
76
Overall
70
Canon EOS M3 front
 
Nikon 1 J2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
60
Overall
48

Canon M3 vs Nikon 1 J2 Key Specs

Canon M3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF-M Mount
  • 366g - 111 x 68 x 44mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Updated by Canon M6
Nikon 1 J2
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 238g - 106 x 61 x 30mm
  • Revealed August 2012
  • Succeeded the Nikon 1 J1
  • Successor is Nikon 1 J3
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Canon M3 vs Nikon 1 J2 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Canon M3 versus Nikon 1 J2, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the M3 (24MP) and 1 J2 (10MP) and the M3 (APS-C) and 1 J2 (1") provide different sensor sizing.

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The M3 was announced 2 years after the 1 J2 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise view of how the M3 matches up vs the 1 J2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon M3 over the Nikon 1 J2

 M3 1 J2 
RevealedFebruary 2015August 2012More modern by 31 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1040k921kSharper display (+119k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J2 over the Canon M3

 1 J2 M3 

Common features in the Canon M3 and Nikon 1 J2

 M3 1 J2 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display size3"3"Same display measurement

Canon M3 vs Nikon 1 J2 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon M3 enjoys outside measurements of 111mm x 68mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") having a weight of 366 grams (0.81 lbs) and the Nikon 1 J2 has proportions of 106mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs).

Contrast the Canon M3 versus Nikon 1 J2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the M3 versus the 1 J2.

Canon M3 vs Nikon 1 J2 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the M3 and 1 J2 is 85 and 91 respectively.

Canon M3 vs Nikon 1 J2 top view buttons comparison

Canon M3 vs Nikon 1 J2 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizes simply by going through a spec sheet. The pic below will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the M3 and 1 J2.

Clearly, the 2 cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The M3 using its larger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the Canon M3 will show extra detail with its extra 14 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics way more aggressively. The more recent M3 should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Canon M3 vs Nikon 1 J2 sensor size comparison

Canon M3 vs Nikon 1 J2 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon M3 vs Nikon 1 J2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon M3 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon 1 J2 as a Portrait photography camera
79
you can focus manually
decent MP (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW formats
48
focusing manually
good sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Canon M3 as a Street photography camera
Nikon 1 J2 as a Street photography camera
79
screen tilts
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
comes with focus via touch
no image stabilization
69
good sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (238 grams)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon M3 Sports photography information
Nikon 1 J2 Sports photography information
61
decent MP (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
comes with phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (4.2 frames per second)
no image stabilization
terrible battery (250 shots)
48
silent shutter (1/16,000s)
good sensor size (1")
has tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
low battery pack (230 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon M3
Travel photography with Nikon 1 J2
73
comes with focus via touch
decent MP (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
no Timelapse mode
terrible battery (250 CIPA)
60
lighter than competition in class (238 grams)
built-in flash
low battery pack (230 shots)
megapixel count low (10MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon M3 as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon 1 J2 as a Landscape photography camera
68
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Canon EF-M mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no image stabilization
terrible battery (250 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
56
focusing manually
change lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
good sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
low battery pack (230 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon M3 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon 1 J2 as a Vlogging camera
80
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
supports face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone jack
no image stabilization
30
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (238 grams)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
no external microphone port
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Canon M3 vs Nikon 1 J2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon M3 and Nikon 1 J2
 Canon EOS M3Nikon 1 J2
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model type Canon EOS M3 Nikon 1 J2
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2015-02-06 2012-08-09
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 6 Expeed 3
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 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 3872 x 2592
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 49 135
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF-M Nikon 1
Number of lenses 23 13
Focal length multiplier 1.6 2.7
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Max silent shutter speed - 1/16000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.2 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.00 m
Flash modes Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/60 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 366g (0.81 pounds) 238g (0.52 pounds)
Physical 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 Overall rating 72 54
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 21.3
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.8 10.8
DXO Low light rating 1169 363
Other
Battery life 250 photographs 230 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E17 EN-EL20
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots One One
Launch price $481 $550