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Canon M3 vs Nikon Z fc

Portability
85
Imaging
64
Features
76
Overall
68
Canon EOS M3 front
 
Nikon Z fc front
Portability
79
Imaging
68
Features
80
Overall
72

Canon M3 vs Nikon Z fc Key Specs

Canon M3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF-M Mount
  • 366g - 111 x 68 x 44mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Later Model is Canon M6
Nikon Z fc
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 445g - 135 x 94 x 44mm
  • Introduced June 2021
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Canon M3 vs Nikon Z fc Overview

Lets examine more closely at the Canon M3 vs Nikon Z fc, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the M3 (24MP) and the Z fc (21MP) is very similar and they come with the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The M3 was revealed 7 years prior to the Z fc and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Canon M3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Nikon Z fc being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the M3 grades vs the Z fc when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon M3 over the Nikon Z fc

 M3 Z fc 

Reasons to pick Nikon Z fc over the Canon M3

 Z fc M3 
IntroducedJune 2021February 2015Fresher by 77 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display

Common features in the Canon M3 and Nikon Z fc

 M3 Z fc 
Manual focus More exact focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution1040k1040kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch display Easily navigate

Canon M3 vs Nikon Z fc Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon M3 enjoys outside dimensions of 111mm x 68mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 366 grams (0.81 lbs) whilst the Nikon Z fc has proportions of 135mm x 94mm x 44mm (5.3" x 3.7" x 1.7") and a weight of 445 grams (0.98 lbs).

Look at the Canon M3 vs Nikon Z fc in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have at the time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the M3 versus the Z fc.

Canon M3 vs Nikon Z fc size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the M3 and Z fc is 85 and 79 respectively.

Canon M3 vs Nikon Z fc top view buttons comparison

Canon M3 vs Nikon Z fc Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizing merely by reviewing technical specs. The graphic here may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the M3 and Z fc.

As you have seen, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Canon M3 to offer more detail because of its extra 3MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The older M3 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Canon M3 vs Nikon Z fc sensor size comparison

Canon M3 vs Nikon Z fc Screen and ViewFinder

Canon M3 vs Nikon Z fc Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon M3 Portrait photography advice
Nikon Z fc Portrait photography advice
78
has manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
80
manual focus
resolution is good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detect focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon M3
Street photography with Nikon Z fc
78
tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
boasts focus by touch
lack of image stabilization
73
screen articulates
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
comes with focus by touch
very good high ISO (51,200)
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition (445 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon M3 Sports photography info
Nikon Z fc Sports photography info
60
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.2 fps)
lack of image stabilization
bad battery life (250 CIPA)
67
resolution is good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has tracking focus
comes with phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
not so great battery (300 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Canon M3 Travel photography info
Nikon Z fc Travel photography info
73
boasts focus by touch
resolution is good (24MP)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse recording
bad battery life (250 per charge)
71
has bluetooth
comes with focus by touch
resolution is good (21 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
not so great battery (300 CIPA)
more heavy than competition (445 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon M3 Landscape photography info
Nikon Z fc Landscape photography info
67
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF-M mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
bad battery life (250 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
75
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
resolution is good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
not so great battery (300 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon M3
Vlogging with Nikon Z fc
80
screen is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
features face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external mic socket
lack of image stabilization
73
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen
has face detect focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have microphone port
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition (445g)
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Canon M3 vs Nikon Z fc Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon M3 and Nikon Z fc
 Canon EOS M3Nikon Z fc
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model Canon EOS M3 Nikon Z fc
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2015-02-06 2021-06-28
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 6 -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 22.3 x 14.9mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 332.3mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 21 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 6000 x 4000 5568 x 3712
Highest native ISO 12800 51200
Highest boosted ISO 25600 204800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 49 209
Lens
Lens mounting type Canon EF-M Nikon Z
Total lenses 23 21
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,040k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.68x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.2 frames per second 11.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 366 grams (0.81 lb) 445 grams (0.98 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 68 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") 135 x 94 x 44mm (5.3" x 3.7" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.8 not tested
DXO Low light score 1169 not tested
Other
Battery life 250 images 300 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E17 EN-EL25
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $481 $949