Canon EOS M3 vs Olympus PEN E-PM1: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Entry-Level Mirrorless Cameras

In the evolving mirrorless camera landscape, choices abound - sometimes to the point of analysis paralysis. Today, I want to cut through the noise by revisiting two entry-level mirrorless models from respected brands that made waves in their day: the Canon EOS M3, announced in early 2015, and the Olympus PEN E-PM1, launched at the tail end of 2011. While both are "entry-level," these cameras represent very different philosophies, sensor technologies, and practical approaches to image making. I have had the opportunity to test both extensively in various environments, and will share detailed insights grounded in real-world use and technical analysis that can help enthusiasts and professional photographers deciding between these two vintage classics.

Let's dive deep across all major dimensions: design, sensor performance, autofocus, handling, video, and specialized genres like wildlife and night photography. In doing so, we'll look at how these cameras perform today, what kind of photographers they still serve well, and where their limits lie.

Size and Ergonomics: Holding the Cameras in Your Hands

One of the first things you notice when comparing cameras is their physical form and the feel in your hands. Mirrorless cameras often benefit from compactness, but balance and grip also matter deeply.

The Canon EOS M3 is a larger body than the Olympus PEN E-PM1, measuring 111 x 68 x 44 mm and weighing about 366 grams. Meanwhile, the Olympus PEN E-PM1 is quite compact at 110 x 64 x 34 mm and significantly lighter at 265 grams. This difference highlights an interesting trade-off between the two: the Canon offers a more substantial grip and better handling for prolonged shooting sessions, whereas the Olympus excels in portability and discretion, crucial for street and travel photographers.

As someone who shoots extensively outdoors, I found that the Canon’s heft provides steadiness when using longer lenses, especially for wildlife or sports shoots, whereas the Olympus is great for slipping into a small bag or even a jacket pocket for spontaneous street photography. However, the smaller grip on the Olympus can become fiddly when paired with larger lenses.

From the top view, the Canon M3 offers a more intuitive and accessible button layout that includes dedicated dials and a hot shoe mount supporting external flashes. The Olympus PEN E-PM1, true to its age and category, sacrifices dedicated buttons for a minimalist design, relying more heavily on menu navigation for settings changes. This can slow down operation when composure time is critical.

Verdict: Canon EOS M3 is the more ergonomic choice for serious shooting sessions, while the Olympus PEN E-PM1 shines in portability and casual shooting.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Pixels and Beyond

Sensor size, resolution, and processing power directly influence image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance - crucial for professional or enthusiast photographers who demand the best out of their capture gear.

The Canon EOS M3 sports a 24MP APS-C sized CMOS sensor, with dimensions measuring 22.3 x 14.9 mm. The Olympus PEN E-PM1 uses a smaller Four Thirds sensor of 17.3 x 13 mm with a resolution of 12MP. This size difference alone points towards the M3’s advantage - a standard sensor area nearly 1.5 times larger, which theoretically means better noise control and wider dynamic range.

DxOMark scores reinforce this: the Canon M3 achieved a noteworthy overall score of 72, with 22.8 bits color depth and 11.8 stops dynamic range. The Olympus trails with a score of 52, 21.0 bits color depth, and a dynamic range of 10.3 stops. Real-world results from my shoots echo this gap, particularly in challenging lighting situations.

For portraits, the Canon M3’s higher resolution enables more detailed skin texture capture and better detail retention in shadows. The Olympus PEN E-PM1, while having a decent sensor for its time, shows more noise at higher ISOs and a less forgiving highlight roll-off, which can underwhelm in contrasty scenes like landscapes or backlit portraits.

Both cameras use an anti-aliasing filter, which slightly softens fine detail to avoid moiré. That said, Canon’s DIGIC 6 image processor handles noise reduction and JPEG rendering with more finesse than Olympus’s TruePic VI processor.

Verdict: For image quality with more flexibility, especially in low light or detailed work, Canon EOS M3 has the edge.

Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Coverage

Autofocus has evolved tremendously in mirrorless cameras, and evaluating these two shows how quickly AF has advanced.

The Canon M3 employs contrast-detection autofocus enhanced by 49 autofocus points, including face detection and tracking capabilities. Notably, it features hybrid AF with phase detection points improving performance and responsiveness in live view.

The Olympus E-PM1 relies solely on contrast detection with 35 focus points; it lacks phase detection, which limits its AF speed and tracking accuracy. While capable in static scenes, its AF can feel sluggish during action or wildlife photography.

In practical field tests, the Canon M3 locks focus rapidly and maintains it well on moving subjects up to moderate speeds. Tracking sports or wildlife at burst rates is workable but not cutting edge. The Olympus’s autofocus stumbles with fast-moving subjects, often hunting before locking, which can be frustrating for dynamic shooting.

Highlighting face detection, the Canon’s system excels in portrait scenarios with eye detection and multiple face tracking, though not as sophisticated as modern eye AF. The Olympus offers basic face detection but no eye AF.

Verdict: The Canon EOS M3 offers a more responsive, versatile autofocus system suitable for varied photography genres, while the Olympus E-PM1 is better reserved for controlled shooting or casual use.

Shooting Speeds and Buffer Depth: Capturing the Action

Burst rate and buffer capacity become crucial when shooting sports, wildlife, or any fast-moving subjects.

The Canon M3 manages 4.2 frames per second (fps) with continuous AF; the Olympus PEN E-PM1 nudges higher at 6 fps but with more limited continuous AF capabilities.

While the Olympus’s faster burst sounds appealing, in practice, its slower autofocus and weaker buffer mean the advantage is less meaningful. The M3’s burst feels more consistent during longer sequences, albeit slower in fps.

For sports shooters, neither are ideal compared to today’s top models, but the Canon’s AF reliability and image quality make it the more balanced option.

Video Capabilities: What Can These Cameras Capture?

Since mirrorless cameras commonly serve hybrid roles, video performance often weighs heavily.

The Canon EOS M3 shoots Full HD 1080p video up to 30 fps with H.264 compression. It includes a microphone jack but lacks a headphone port. It lacks 4K capabilities or advanced video features like focus peaking or zebras.

The Olympus PEN E-PM1 also offers Full HD 1080p video but maxes out at 60 fps and supports AVCHD and Motion JPEG formats. It lacks any microphone or headphone ports, making audio monitoring impossible.

Neither camera includes in-body stabilization; however, Olympus’s sensor-based stabilization in some models is a technical hallmark - unfortunately, the E-PM1 does not have sensor stabilization, relying solely on lens stabilization.

Neither camera offers 4K or advanced video tools expected on recent models, but for casual HD video, both are capable.

Interface, Controls, and Screens: How We Interact With the Cameras

Usability is paramount, especially when rapidly changing settings or reviewing images on the go.

The Canon M3’s 3-inch tilting touchscreen boasts 1,040k dots resolution, vastly outclassing the Olympus PEN E-PM1’s fixed 3-inch screen at 460k dots. The M3’s interface benefits from touchscreen operation, speeding up AF point selection, menu navigation, and image review.

The Olympus’s fixed screen lacks touch and is understandably less sharp given the camera’s vintage and entry-level design. This makes quick operation less fluid and less enjoyable for live-view shooting.

Both cameras lack built-in electronic viewfinders, but Canon offers an optional EVF add-on. The Olympus users may need to rely on external viewfinders or just live view.

Verdict: In terms of interface smoothness and screen quality, the Canon EOS M3 decisively outperforms the Olympus PEN E-PM1.

Lens Choices and Ecosystem

Lens availability and compatibility greatly influence camera system utility.

The Canon M3 uses the EF-M mount with a modest but steadily growing lineup of 23 native lenses, focusing primarily on general-purpose primes and zooms. The Canon EF and EF-S lenses can also be adapted with focal length multiplication of 1.6x, opening a vast catalog of over 70 lenses when using an adapter - considerable for versatility.

The Olympus PEN E-PM1 uses the Micro Four Thirds mount, one of the most extensive ecosystems with over 100 lenses available from Olympus, Panasonic, and third parties. The system covers everything from ultra-wide angle to specialized macro and super-telephoto options.

The smaller sensor on the Olympus requires a 2.1x multiplier, meaning longer effective focal lengths but less wide-angle reach than APS-C.

Interestingly, while Canon’s EF-M ecosystem is smaller in quantity, it's backed by Canon’s massive EF mount lens lineage if you consider adapters, expanding creative possibilities.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying Powered Through Shoots

Battery longevity often flies under the radar but is crucial for real-world workflows, especially on location or while traveling.

The Canon EOS M3 offers approximately 250 shots per charge with the LP-E17 battery, while the Olympus PEN E-PM1 achieves a more impressive 330 shots per charge on its BLS-5 battery.

The Olympus’s better battery performance compensates somewhat for its smaller size, making it better suited for longer walking tours or street photography sessions without easy access to chargers.

Both cameras utilize a single SD card slot compatible with SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Modern wireless connectivity eases workflows, but remember these cameras date from early mirrorless days.

The Canon M3 features built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, allowing quick image transfer to compatible smartphones or tablets for remote control - a useful feature for casual shooters or quick social sharing.

The Olympus PEN E-PM1 lacks any wireless connectivity, requiring wired transfer via USB or card readers, a dated inconvenience by today’s standards.

Handling in Specific Photography Genres: Putting Each Camera to Real Use

Portrait Photography

For capturing people, skin tones, and expressions, image quality and autofocus precision matter deeply.

The Canon M3 delivers superior skin tone reproduction thanks to its higher bit color depth and a more capable processor. The face detection autofocus, with eye correction, helps nail focused sharpness on subjects’ faces, especially for tight shots. The available EF-M lenses provide decent wide-aperture primes for pleasing bokeh.

The Olympus PEN E-PM1 delivers softer images due to its lower resolution and sensor size. Face detection works but lags in low light, and the lack of native stabilization forces more reliance on steady hands or stabilized lenses. It’s serviceable for casual portraits but falls short for professionals seeking sharpness and color fidelity.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range and resolution are king here.

The Canon M3’s 24MP sensor records intricate landscape details with excellent dynamic range (11.8 EV), preserving highlight and shadow information in tricky lighting such as sunsets or sunrise.

The Olympus PEN E-PM1’s smaller sensor and 12MP resolution capture fewer fine landscape details, and dynamic range is limited (10.3 EV), which can lead to lost shadow or highlight detail.

Neither camera offers weather sealing, a drawback in some environments, but the Canon’s image quality is easier to work with when pushing exposure in post.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Autofocus speed and burst shooting dominate.

The Canon M3’s hybrid AF and 4.2 fps burst allow for manageable tracking of moving subjects, but the limited buffer and lack of super-fast burst put a cap on action shooting capabilities.

The Olympus PEN E-PM1’s faster burst (6 fps) is negated by slower AF and a smaller sensor rendering less detail at telephoto equivalent focal lengths. The 2.1x crop factor means longer-reaching lenses but at the expense of light gathering, which is critical in wildlife scenarios.

Street and Travel Photography

Portability and discretion matter most here.

Olympus PEN E-PM1 shines with its lightweight, slim body that’s easier to carry all day and less conspicuous in public. Its quiet shutter and fixed screen also facilitate candid shooting.

Canon’s M3 is bulkier but still compact relative to DSLRs. Its touchscreen interface adds convenience in quick shoots. Battery life is inferior, but wireless connectivity aids image sharing on the go.

Macro Photography

Precise focusing and magnification matter.

Both cameras lack focus stacking and post-focus features - limited options here. Neither offer in-body stabilization, but Olympus’s lenses often include stabilization.

Canon’s higher sensor resolution assists in capturing fine macro details better, but the Olympus ecosystem offers many high-quality macro lenses, possibly offsetting its sensor limitation.

Night and Astrophotography

High ISO performance and dynamic range are pivotal.

Canon M3’s better low-light ISO performance (DXOMark low light ISO rating 1169 vs. 499) and wider dynamic range offer cleaner night shots and star photos with less noise and better highlight retention.

Olympus’s smaller sensor struggles in darkness, with more noise and less tonal range, limiting its appeal for astrophotography.

Professional Use and Workflow Integration

Canon ecosystem is better integrated with professional workflows, supporting RAW, external flashes, and better interface customization. The M3’s EF-M mount combined with adaptability to EF lenses opens extensive professional-grade options.

Olympus, while durable and lightweight, lacks pro-level features and ports (no mic input, limited tethering), relegating it mostly to enthusiast-level work.

Canon M3 front Canon M3 screen back Olympus E PM1 screen back

Above visual comparisons demonstrate the Canon M3’s richer detail, superior color fidelity, and better control over contrast compared to the Olympus PEN E-PM1’s softer, more muted output.

Price-to-Performance and Overall Ratings

For context, both cameras retail in the $480-$500 range (at launch prices), aligned closely but reflecting generation differences.

Canon EOS M3 scores higher overall for image quality, autofocus, and interface usability, while Olympus offers competitive battery life and portability advantages.

Genre-Specific Performance Summary

Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Choose?

Both the Canon EOS M3 and Olympus PEN E-PM1 were strong contenders in early mirrorless days, but their technology reflects their time and design focus.

• Choose the Canon EOS M3 if you prioritize image quality, dynamic range, autofocus speed, and a more modern interface - making it well-suited for enthusiasts requiring flexibility across genres like portrait, landscape, and even wildlife.

• Opt for the Olympus PEN E-PM1 if your focus is on travel, street photography, portability, and longer battery life, accepting compromises in image quality and autofocus sophistication.

If you need a compact camera yesterday and want to slip easily into city life or travel light, Olympus PEN E-PM1 is charming and approachable. But for photographers looking for sharper images, better controls, and an expandable system geared to varied styles, the Canon M3 holds more lasting appeal.

In essence: the Canon M3 is the more all-rounder, while the Olympus PEN E-PM1 excels at portability and casual use.

I hope this detailed comparison helps you make a more informed decision - choose based on your shooting style and priorities, rather than specs alone. After all, a good camera is one that feels right in your hands and inspires you to capture the world creatively.

Happy shooting!