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Canon M3 vs Panasonic S2

Portability
85
Imaging
66
Features
76
Overall
70
Canon EOS M3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34

Canon M3 vs Panasonic S2 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
  • Launched February 2015
  • New Model is Canon M6
Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Canon M3 vs Panasonic S2 Overview

Following is a thorough analysis of the Canon M3 versus Panasonic S2, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Canon and Panasonic. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the M3 (24MP) and S2 (14MP) and the M3 (APS-C) and S2 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor size.

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The M3 was released 3 years after the S2 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Canon M3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S2 being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the M3 grades against the S2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon M3 over the Panasonic S2

 M3 S2 
AnnouncedFebruary 2015January 2012More modern by 38 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1040k230kClearer screen (+810k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Canon M3

 S2 M3 

Common features in the Canon M3 and Panasonic S2

 M3 S2 

Canon M3 vs Panasonic S2 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Canon M3 enjoys physical dimensions of 111mm x 68mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") having a weight of 366 grams (0.81 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S2 has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon M3 versus Panasonic S2 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the M3 vs the S2.

Canon M3 vs Panasonic S2 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the M3 and S2 is 85 and 96 respectively.

Canon M3 vs Panasonic S2 top view buttons comparison

Canon M3 vs Panasonic S2 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to see the gap between sensor sizes merely by reviewing specifications. The image below will help offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the M3 and S2.

To sum up, both the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The M3 due to its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Canon M3 will offer you more detail as a result of its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The newer M3 is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Canon M3 vs Panasonic S2 sensor size comparison

Canon M3 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon M3 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon M3 Portrait photography info
Panasonic S2 Portrait photography info
79
has manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
delivers RAW files
34
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
features face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon M3
Street photography with Panasonic S2
79
screen tilts
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
provides focus via touch
lack of image stabilization
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (112 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon M3 Sports photography features
Panasonic S2 Sports photography features
61
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow fps (4.2 fps)
lack of image stabilization
bad battery life (250 per charge)
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
better than average battery pack (280 CIPA)
low fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon M3 Travel photography info
Panasonic S2 Travel photography info
73
provides focus via touch
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
does not have Time Lapse recording
bad battery life (250 CIPA)
71
better than average battery pack (280 CIPA)
lighter than competition (112 grams)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon M3 Landscape photography information
Panasonic S2 Landscape photography information
68
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF-M mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
bad battery life (250 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
41
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
better than average battery pack (280 shots)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon M3
Vlogging with Panasonic S2
80
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
includes face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic jack
lack of image stabilization
33
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
lighter than competition (112 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone socket
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Canon M3 vs Panasonic S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon M3 and Panasonic S2
 Canon EOS M3Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
General Information
Brand Name Canon Panasonic
Model Canon EOS M3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2015-02-06 2012-01-09
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 6 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 22.3 x 14.9mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 332.3mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 49 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Canon EF-M fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.1-6.5
Macro focus range - 5cm
Total lenses 23 -
Focal length multiplier 1.6 5.9
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 1,040k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 4.2 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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) 112 gr (0.25 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 68 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.8 not tested
DXO Low light score 1169 not tested
Other
Battery life 250 photos 280 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E17 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $481 $109