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Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL5

Portability
85
Imaging
66
Features
76
Overall
70
Canon EOS M3 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL5 front
Portability
88
Imaging
52
Features
72
Overall
60

Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Key Specs

Canon M3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF-M Mount
  • 366g - 111 x 68 x 44mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Newer Model is Canon M6
Olympus E-PL5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
  • Launched September 2012
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Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Overview

Here is a extended assessment of the Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Canon and Olympus. There exists a substantial gap among the resolutions of the M3 (24MP) and E-PL5 (16MP) and the M3 (APS-C) and E-PL5 (Four Thirds) provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The M3 was unveiled 2 years later than the E-PL5 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the M3 scores vs the E-PL5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon M3 over the Olympus E-PL5

 M3 E-PL5 
LaunchedFebruary 2015September 2012Fresher by 30 months
Display resolution1040k460kCrisper display (+580k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Canon M3

 E-PL5 M3 

Common features in the Canon M3 and Olympus E-PL5

 M3 E-PL5 
Manual focus More precise focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon M3 offers external measurements of 111mm x 68mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 366 grams (0.81 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL5 has proportions of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") having a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs).

Analyze the Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with at the time. The following is a front view size comparison of the M3 compared to the E-PL5.

Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL5 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the M3 and E-PL5 is 85 and 88 respectively.

Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL5 top view buttons comparison

Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to see the difference in sensor sizing only by researching specs. The visual below will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the M3 and E-PL5.

All in all, both cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The M3 using its larger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Canon M3 will provide you with greater detail having an extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images more aggressively. The newer M3 will have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL5 sensor size comparison

Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon M3 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-PL5 as a Portrait photography camera
79
focusing manually
MP count good (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
71
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Canon M3 Street photography information
Olympus E-PL5 Street photography information
79
tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
offers focus by touch
does not have image stabilization
85
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
offers focus by touch
very good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Canon M3 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-PL5 as a Sports photography camera
61
MP count good (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect autofocus
low frames per second (4.2 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery power (250 shots)
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon M3
Travel photography with Olympus E-PL5
73
offers focus by touch
MP count good (24MP)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
no Timelapse recording
terrible battery power (250 CIPA)
75
offers focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
missing Time Lapse function
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Landscape Comparison

Canon M3 Landscape photography factors
Olympus E-PL5 Landscape photography factors
68
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF-M mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery power (250 shots)
no Timelapse recording
74
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon M3 Vlogging info
Olympus E-PL5 Vlogging info
80
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen
includes face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external microphone support
does not have image stabilization
78
selfie friendly screen
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
missing external mic port
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Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon M3 and Olympus E-PL5
 Canon EOS M3Olympus PEN E-PL5
General Information
Make Canon Olympus
Model type Canon EOS M3 Olympus PEN E-PL5
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2015-02-06 2012-09-17
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 6 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 22.3 x 14.9mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 332.3mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Full resolution 6000 x 4000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 12800 25600
Max boosted ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 49 35
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF-M Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 23 107
Focal length multiplier 1.6 2.1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.2 frames per sec 8.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.00 m (at ISO 100) 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1)
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
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) 325g (0.72 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 68 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 72 72
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.8 12.3
DXO Low light rating 1169 889
Other
Battery life 250 images 360 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E17 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $481 $400