Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL5
85 Imaging
65 Features
76 Overall
69


88 Imaging
52 Features
72 Overall
60
Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon EOS M3 & Olympus PEN E-PL5. The full galleries are available at Canon M3 Gallery & Olympus E-PL5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon M3 over the Olympus E-PL5
M3 | E-PL5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | February 2015 | ![]() | September 2012 | Fresher by 30 months |
Display resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper 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 type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Specifications
Canon EOS M3 | Olympus 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 |