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Canon M3 vs Panasonic GF5

Portability
85
Imaging
66
Features
76
Overall
70
Canon EOS M3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
49
Features
54
Overall
51

Canon M3 vs Panasonic GF5 Key Specs

Canon M3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF-M Mount
  • 366g - 111 x 68 x 44mm
  • Announced February 2015
  • Replacement is Canon M6
Panasonic GF5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 267g - 108 x 67 x 37mm
  • Announced April 2012
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic GF3
  • Replacement is Panasonic GF6
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Canon M3 vs Panasonic GF5 Overview

Below is a thorough overview of the Canon M3 and Panasonic GF5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. There is a considerable difference among the sensor resolutions of the M3 (24MP) and GF5 (12MP) and the M3 (APS-C) and GF5 (Four Thirds) offer totally different sensor measurements.

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The M3 was launched 2 years later than the GF5 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting right into a complete comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the M3 scores versus the GF5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon M3 over the Panasonic GF5

 M3 GF5 
AnnouncedFebruary 2015April 2012More recent by 35 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k920kCrisper screen (+120k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF5 over the Canon M3

 GF5 M3 

Common features in the Canon M3 and Panasonic GF5

 M3 GF5 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Canon M3 vs Panasonic GF5 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon M3 has 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) and the Panasonic GF5 has dimensions of 108mm x 67mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 267 grams (0.59 lbs).

Contrast the Canon M3 and Panasonic GF5 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the M3 compared to the GF5.

Canon M3 vs Panasonic GF5 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the M3 and GF5 is 85 and 89 respectively.

Canon M3 vs Panasonic GF5 top view buttons comparison

Canon M3 vs Panasonic GF5 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to visualise the gap in sensor measurements simply by checking out technical specs. The photograph here might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the M3 and GF5.

As you have seen, both of those cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The M3 because of its bigger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Canon M3 will produce more detail utilizing its extra 12MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The fresher M3 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Canon M3 vs Panasonic GF5 sensor size comparison

Canon M3 vs Panasonic GF5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon M3 vs Panasonic GF5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon M3
Portrait photography with Panasonic GF5
79
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW formats
56
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focus
delivers RAW files
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Canon M3 Street photography information
Panasonic GF5 Street photography information
79
has a tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
offers touch focus
no image stabilization
70
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
provides touch to focus
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon M3 Sports photography advice
Panasonic GF5 Sports photography advice
61
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (4.2 frames/s)
no image stabilization
low battery (250 shots)
41
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon M3
Travel photography with Panasonic GF5
73
offers touch focus
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
does not have Time Lapse function
low battery (250 shots)
61
provides touch to focus
flash built-in
missing Timelapse mode
low MP (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon M3 Landscape photography information
Panasonic GF5 Landscape photography information
68
focusing manually
swap lenses (Canon EF-M mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no image stabilization
low battery (250 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse function
59
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon M3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic GF5 as a Vlogging camera
80
selfie friendly display
touchscreen capability
provides face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes mic jack
no image stabilization
32
touchscreen enabled
supports face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
missing external microphone support
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Canon M3 vs Panasonic GF5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon M3 and Panasonic GF5
 Canon EOS M3Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model Canon EOS M3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2015-02-06 2012-04-05
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 measurements 22.3 x 14.9mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 332.3mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 160
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 49 23
Lens
Lens mount Canon EF-M Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 23 107
Focal length multiplier 1.6 2.1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.2fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.00 m (at ISO 100) 6.30 m
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 366 gr (0.81 lb) 267 gr (0.59 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 68 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") 108 x 67 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 72 50
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 20.5
DXO Dynamic range score 11.8 10.0
DXO Low light score 1169 573
Other
Battery life 250 images 360 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 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 One One
Launch pricing $481 $600