Canon M3 vs Olympus PEN-F
85 Imaging
65 Features
76 Overall
69


84 Imaging
59 Features
79 Overall
67
Canon M3 vs Olympus PEN-F Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF-M Mount
- 366g - 111 x 68 x 44mm
- Launched February 2015
- New Model is Canon M6
(Full Review)
- 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 427g - 125 x 72 x 37mm
- Released January 2016

Canon M3 vs Olympus PEN-F Overview
Here is a extended assessment of the Canon M3 and Olympus PEN-F, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by rivals Canon and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the M3 (24MP) and the PEN-F (20MP) is relatively close but the M3 (APS-C) and PEN-F (Four Thirds) offer totally different sensor measurements.

The M3 was announced 11 months before the PEN-F so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before going straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the M3 grades against the PEN-F in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon M3 vs Olympus PEN-F Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon EOS M3 and Olympus PEN-F. The whole galleries are viewable at Canon M3 Gallery and Olympus PEN-F Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon M3 over the Olympus PEN-F
M3 | PEN-F | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 1037k | Clearer screen (+3k dot) |
Reasons to pick Olympus PEN-F over the Canon M3
PEN-F | M3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2016 | ![]() | February 2015 | Fresher by 11 months |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating screen |
Common features in the Canon M3 and Olympus PEN-F
M3 | PEN-F | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Both good for selfies | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Canon M3 vs Olympus PEN-F Physical Comparison
If you are going to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon M3 has got 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) while the Olympus PEN-F has sizing of 125mm x 72mm x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5") and a weight of 427 grams (0.94 lbs).
Compare the Canon M3 and Olympus PEN-F in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the M3 compared to the PEN-F.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the M3 and PEN-F is 85 and 84 respectively.

Canon M3 vs Olympus PEN-F Sensor Comparison
Usually, it can be tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizing only by looking through technical specs. The visual underneath will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the M3 and PEN-F.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The M3 using its bigger sensor will make achieving bokeh simpler and the Canon M3 will result in extra detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The older M3 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon M3 vs Olympus PEN-F Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon M3 vs Olympus PEN-F Specifications
Canon EOS M3 | Olympus PEN-F | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Olympus |
Model type | Canon EOS M3 | Olympus PEN-F |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Advanced Mirrorless |
Launched | 2015-02-06 | 2016-01-27 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | DIGIC 6 | TruePic VII |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Four Thirds |
Sensor measurements | 22.3 x 14.9mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor area | 332.3mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24MP | 20MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 6000 x 4000 | 5184 x 3888 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
Max enhanced ISO | 25600 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW images | ||
Minimum enhanced ISO | - | 80 |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 49 | 81 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Canon EF-M | Micro Four Thirds |
Amount of lenses | 23 | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.6 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Tilting | Fully Articulated |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 1,040 thousand dots | 1,037 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 2,360 thousand dots |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.62x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 60 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Max quiet shutter speed | - | 1/16000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.2 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m (at ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Auto, on, off, slow synchro | Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain) |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 366 gr (0.81 pounds) | 427 gr (0.94 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 111 x 68 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") | 125 x 72 x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 72 | 74 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.8 | 23.1 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.8 | 12.4 |
DXO Low light rating | 1169 | 894 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 250 shots | 330 shots |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | LP-E17 | BLN-1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 seconds, custom) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail cost | $481 | $1,000 |