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Canon M3 vs Olympus PEN-F

Portability
85
Imaging
66
Features
76
Overall
70
Canon EOS M3 front
 
Olympus PEN-F front
Portability
84
Imaging
59
Features
79
Overall
67

Canon M3 vs Olympus PEN-F Key Specs

Canon M3
(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
Olympus PEN-F
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon M3 over the Olympus PEN-F

 M3 PEN-F 
Screen resolution1040k1037kClearer screen (+3k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus PEN-F over the Canon M3

 PEN-F M3 
ReleasedJanuary 2016February 2015Fresher by 11 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen

Common features in the Canon M3 and Olympus PEN-F

 M3 PEN-F 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen size3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon M3 vs Olympus PEN-F size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon M3 vs Olympus PEN-F Screen and ViewFinder

Canon M3 vs Olympus PEN-F Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon M3
Portrait photography with Olympus PEN-F
79
focusing manually
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detection focus
saves RAW files
75
focusing manually
good resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Canon M3 Street photography info
Olympus PEN-F Street photography info
79
screen tilts
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
features focus via touch
lack of image stabilization
84
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Canon M3 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus PEN-F as a Sports photography camera
61
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
supports phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (4.2 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery (250 CIPA)
67
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
low battery pack (330 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon M3 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus PEN-F as a Travel photography camera
73
features focus via touch
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
no Timelapse mode
not so great battery (250 per charge)
75
boasts focus via touch
good resolution (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
low battery pack (330 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon M3
Landscape photography with Olympus PEN-F
68
focusing manually
change lenses (Canon EF-M mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery (250 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
76
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
low battery pack (330 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon M3 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus PEN-F as a Vlogging camera
80
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
features face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external microphone support
lack of image stabilization
78
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lack of external microphone socket
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Canon M3 vs Olympus PEN-F Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon M3 and Olympus PEN-F
 Canon EOS M3Olympus 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