Canon M3 vs Panasonic GF3
85 Imaging
65 Features
76 Overall
69


90 Imaging
47 Features
48 Overall
47
Canon M3 vs Panasonic GF3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF-M Mount
- 366g - 111 x 68 x 44mm
- Revealed February 2015
- Later Model is Canon M6
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 160 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 264g - 108 x 67 x 32mm
- Launched August 2011
- Older Model is Panasonic GF2
- Renewed by Panasonic GF5

Canon M3 vs Panasonic GF3 Overview
Here is a complete assessment of the Canon M3 versus Panasonic GF3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by competitors Canon and Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the M3 (24MP) and GF3 (12MP) and the M3 (APS-C) and GF3 (Four Thirds) feature different sensor measurements.

The M3 was manufactured 3 years later than the GF3 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before diving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief view of how the M3 matches up vs the GF3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon M3 vs Panasonic GF3 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon EOS M3 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon M3 Gallery and Panasonic GF3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon M3 over the Panasonic GF3
M3 | GF3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | February 2015 | ![]() | August 2011 | Fresher by 43 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer display (+580k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Canon M3
GF3 | M3 |
---|
Common features in the Canon M3 and Panasonic GF3
M3 | GF3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display measurements |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Canon M3 vs Panasonic GF3 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is planning to carry your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon M3 features outside 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) while the Panasonic GF3 has sizing of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs).
Compare the Canon M3 versus Panasonic GF3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have at that moment. The following is the front view scale comparison of the M3 against the GF3.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the M3 and GF3 is 85 and 90 respectively.

Canon M3 vs Panasonic GF3 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing merely by checking out technical specs. The graphic underneath may offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the M3 and GF3.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The M3 featuring a larger sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Canon M3 will produce extra detail due to its extra 12MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics much more aggressively. The younger M3 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon M3 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon M3 vs Panasonic GF3 Specifications
Canon EOS M3 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Panasonic |
Model type | Canon EOS M3 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2015-02-06 | 2011-08-11 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | DIGIC 6 | Venus Engine FHD |
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 | 24MP | 12MP |
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 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 6400 |
Max enhanced ISO | 25600 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 160 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 49 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Canon EF-M | Micro Four Thirds |
Amount of lenses | 23 | 107 |
Crop factor | 1.6 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 1,040k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30s | 60s |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.2 frames per sec | 3.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m (at ISO 100) | 6.30 m |
Flash modes | Auto, on, off, slow synchro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | - | 1/160s |
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 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | H.264 | AVCHD, Motion JPEG |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 366g (0.81 pounds) | 264g (0.58 pounds) |
Dimensions | 111 x 68 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") | 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 72 | 50 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.8 | 20.6 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.8 | 10.1 |
DXO Low light rating | 1169 | 459 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 250 photos | 300 photos |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | LP-E17 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at release | $481 | $360 |