Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PM2
85 Imaging
66 Features
76 Overall
70
![Canon EOS M3 front Canon EOS M3 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Canon-EOS-M3/Canon-M3-front.jpg)
![Olympus PEN E-PM2 front Olympus PEN E-PM2 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Olympus-PEN-E-PM2/Olympus-E-PM2-front.jpg)
89 Imaging
52 Features
63 Overall
56
Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PM2 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
- Replacement is Canon M6
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
- Revealed May 2013
- Previous Model is Olympus E-PM1
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PM2 Overview
Lets look more closely at the Canon M3 and Olympus E-PM2, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Canon and Olympus. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the M3 (24MP) and E-PM2 (16MP) and the M3 (APS-C) and E-PM2 (Four Thirds) feature totally different sensor sizing.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
The M3 was launched 21 months after the E-PM2 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the M3 grades against the E-PM2 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PM2 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon EOS M3 and Olympus PEN E-PM2. The complete galleries are provided at Canon M3 Gallery and Olympus E-PM2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon M3 over the Olympus E-PM2
M3 | E-PM2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2015 | ![]() | May 2013 | Newer by 21 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+580k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Canon M3
E-PM2 | M3 |
---|
Common features in the Canon M3 and Olympus E-PM2
M3 | E-PM2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurement |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PM2 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to travel with your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and volume. 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-PM2 has sizing of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).
Contrast the Canon M3 and Olympus E-PM2 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the M3 versus the E-PM2.
![Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PM2 size comparison Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PM2 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-EOS-M3-vs-Olympus-PEN-E-PM2-size-comparison.jpg)
Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the M3 and E-PM2 is 85 and 89 respectively.
![Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PM2 top view buttons comparison Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PM2 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-EOS-M3-vs-Olympus-PEN-E-PM2-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PM2 Sensor Comparison
Often, its hard to envision the difference between sensor dimensions just by checking specifications. The image here will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the M3 and E-PM2.
To sum up, each of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The M3 because of its bigger sensor will make getting shallow depth of field easier and the Canon M3 will resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The younger M3 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.
![Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PM2 sensor size comparison Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PM2 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Canon-EOS-M3-vs-Olympus-PEN-E-PM2-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and ViewFinder
![Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-EOS-M3-vs-Olympus-PEN-E-PM2-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PM2 Specifications
Canon EOS M3 | Olympus PEN E-PM2 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Olympus |
Model type | Canon EOS M3 | Olympus PEN E-PM2 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2015-02-06 | 2013-05-21 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | DIGIC 6 | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 22.3 x 14.9mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor area | 332.3mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 |
Highest Possible resolution | 6000 x 4000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 25600 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 49 | 35 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Canon EF-M | Micro Four Thirds |
Number of lenses | 23 | 107 |
Crop factor | 1.6 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 1,040k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 secs | 60 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 4.2fps | 8.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated 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 | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | - | 1/250 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported 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) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 366 gr (0.81 pounds) | 269 gr (0.59 pounds) |
Dimensions | 111 x 68 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") | 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 72 | 72 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.8 | 22.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.8 | 12.2 |
DXO Low light rating | 1169 | 932 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 250 pictures | 360 pictures |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | LP-E17 | BLS-5 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Launch pricing | $481 | $448 |