Canon M6 vs Panasonic GF3: A Deep-Dive Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Selecting the perfect mirrorless camera can often feel like navigating a maze, especially when two cameras from reputable brands like Canon and Panasonic cater to overlapping yet distinct user needs. Today, I’m putting the Canon EOS M6 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 head-to-head - two compact mirrorless cameras separated by several years of innovation but still relevant in certain shoots and workflows. From sensor tech to autofocus prowess, from ergonomics to video skills, I’ll cover every facet that could impact your buying decision. Whether you’re a portrait artist craving creamy bokeh or a landscape buff chasing dynamic range, this thorough review will unpack where each camera shines - and where compromises exist.

As always, my conclusions stem from extensive hands-on experience, lab-style testing, side-by-side field trials, and understanding how camera specs translate into practical value. Let’s dive in.

Getting Started: Physical Feel and Ergonomics Matter

How a camera feels in your hands is often undervalued yet critical for long-term shooting comfort and speed. The Canon M6 embodies Canon’s more recent design philosophy with a compact, refined "rangefinder-style" mirrorless body, whereas the Panasonic GF3 is a throwback to earlier mirrorless days - tiny and simple.

Physically, the Canon M6 measures 112 x 68 x 45 mm and weighs about 390g, offering a slightly heftier, more robust feel compared to the Panasonic GF3's 108 x 67 x 32 mm size and 264g weight. Although the GF3’s petite form favors extreme portability and unobtrusiveness (perfect for grab-and-go shooting or street photography), the M6’s added bulk translates to better grip ergonomics and more tactile button layout.

Speaking from experience, the M6's deeper hand rest and more thoughtfully placed controls significantly improve stability during longer sessions or using heavier lenses. The GF3’s slim body occasionally demands two-handed operation, which may slow you down in fast-paced scenarios.

If you prefer pocketable travel or street camera styling, GF3 nudges ahead. For more deliberate shooting where comfort and control count, I gravitate to the M6.

From Above and Behind: Control Layout & Interface Usability

How quickly you can adjust settings mid-shoot often unfolds the difference between capturing the moment or missing it. Let’s look at the M6 and GF3’s controls.

The Canon M6 boasts a refined, somewhat modernized top deck with dials for exposure compensation, mode selection, and a dedicated control wheel. The presence of a tilting touchscreen (3” with 1040k dots) also enables intuitive touch focusing and menu navigation.

Meanwhile, the Panasonic GF3 offers a simpler control scheme with a fixed 3” touchscreen LCD at half the resolution (~460k dots). While the screen is sufficiently responsive with wide viewing angles, the lack of dedicated dials or any electronic viewfinder limits its speed and precision when adjusting settings on the fly.

Viewing from the rear:

The M6’s tilting touchscreen grants significant flexibility for creative angles like low or high shots - something I sorely missed during my GF3 tests. Moreover, the M6’s touchscreen is more sensitive and responsive, significantly speeding up AF point selection and menu operations.

In sum, the M6 delivers a more advanced, professional-friendly user interface suited for photographers who demand quick access to controls. The GF3’s straightforward UI, while beginner-friendly, feels sparse and slower when compared to modern standards.

The Heart of the Matter: Sensor, Image Quality, and Processing

Image quality remains the foremost consideration for all photographers. Here, sensor technology and processor capabilities play a huge role in the final output.

The Canon M6 sports a 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor (22.3 x 14.9 mm, ~332 mm² area) paired with the powerful DIGIC 7 processor. This sensor size and processing pipeline enable it to produce detailed images with good high ISO performance and a pleasing dynamic range.

On the other hand, the Panasonic GF3 features a 12MP Four Thirds sensor (17.3 x 13 mm, ~225 mm²), which physically captures less light per pixel due to the smaller sensor size and lower resolution.

According to DXOMark benchmarks, the M6 scores an overall 78 (color depth 23.4 bits, dynamic range 12.6 stops, low-light ISO score 1317), whereas the GF3 achieves a much more modest 50 total score (20.6 bits color depth, 10.1 stops dynamic range, low-light ISO 459). This gap directly correlates with real-world observations: the M6 delivers cleaner images with less noise retention at ISO 1600 or above, and arguably richer tone gradations in shadows and highlights.

Ultimately, for photographers prioritizing image quality - especially in low light or demanding dynamic range scenarios such as landscapes, portraits, or wedding work - the Canon M6 is the clear winner.

Autofocus Systems and Speed: Catching the Decisive Moment

Autofocus can make or break a camera’s practical usability, notably for dynamic genres like sports, wildlife, or even street photography.

• Canon M6: Hybrid AF system combining 49 points of phase-detect autofocus (PDAF) and contrast-detection, supporting face detection and eye detection. Continuous AF speed reaches 9 fps burst shooting with AF tracking.
• Panasonic GF3: Contrast-detection only, 23 focus points, slower max continuous shooting at 3 fps, no PDAF, and basic face detection but no eye tracking.

In my hands-on tests, the difference was palpable. The M6 locks focus quickly under varied lighting, follows moving subjects smoothly, and maintains sharpness during bursts. GF3’s contrast-only AF struggles in low contrast and uplifts focus speed degradation during continuous shooting, resulting in less reliable tracking of erratic subjects.

While neither camera offers advanced animal eye AF or deep AI-enhanced tracking like newer models, the M6’s hybrid AF keeps up better with runners, cyclists, or kids on the move.

This makes the Canon M6 a more suitable choice for wildlife, sports, or active street photography, while the GF3 leans toward casual shooting where rapid focus isn’t a priority.

Build Quality, Durability, and Weather Resistance

Neither camera boasts advanced weather sealing or ruggedized construction; both are unsealed plastic-bodied mirrorless models built primarily for fair weather and typical casual use.

The Canon M6 offers a higher-quality build with a solid feel and more robust button construction, while the Panasonic GF3 errs strongly toward ultra-lightweight and minimalism - something noticeable once you begin to torque or grip these units.

If you frequently shoot outdoors in changing weather conditions, your best bet is to invest in external protection regardless of these models. For studio, travel, or urban environments, build quality differences are less critical here.

Lens Ecosystems and Compatibility: Opening Creative Doors

Lenses matter as much as the camera body - in fact, your glass often determines your style. The Canon M6 uses the EF-M mount with 23 native lenses available, ranging from affordable kit zooms and primes to high-quality STM lenses.

Canon M6 front Canon M6 screen back Panasonic GF3 front Panasonic GF3 screen back

Meanwhile, the Panasonic GF3 employs the Micro Four Thirds mount, boasting an enormous lens lineup of over 100 lenses from Panasonic, Olympus, and third parties. The MFT system’s breadth and maturity give a significant advantage to flexibility. Whether you seek ultrawide ultra-sharp primes, versatile telezooms, or specialized macro lenses, Micro Four Thirds has a broader catalog.

That said, each system comes with trade-offs in sensor size vs. lens size, and intended use. The M6’s larger APS-C sensor benefits from naturally shallower depth of field and Better low-light performance, while MFT’s smaller sensor supports smaller, lighter lenses but higher depth of field at same apertures.

If maximizing glass choices is paramount for diverse shooting situations - from macro to wildlife - GF3’s lens ecosystem is hard to beat. But opting for M6 stems from sensor-driven image quality advantages and a respectable EF-M lens selection.

Shooting Variety: Portraits, Landscapes, Wildlife and More

Now let's look at specific photographic disciplines and how these cameras perform.

Portrait Photography

The M6 shines with its 24MP APS-C sensor delivering better sharpness and lower noise. Canon’s face and eye AF consistently nails accurate focusing on eyes, critical for portraits. Additionally, the larger sensor and compatible fast lenses allow beautiful background blur (bokeh), enhancing subject isolation.

GF3’s small sensor and 12MP resolution yield images with less separation and a more limited capacity for creamy bokeh. Autofocus is slower and less precise for eye detection, sometimes requiring manual tweaks. However, GF3’s performance is acceptable for casual snapshots or beginner portraits.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters prize dynamic range and resolution - points where the Canon M6 excels with 12.6 EV DR and 24MP resolution. The M6’s raw files exhibit excellent latitude for recovering shadows and highlights, something landscape photographers often exploit in post-processing.

Environmental sealing is absent in both, so carrying rain covers or protective gear is advisable. Although lenses for GF3/MFT include ultra-wide options, the smaller sensor limits dynamic range and resolution.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Fast autofocus, high continuous shooting rates, and good autofocus tracking separate the M6 here. The ability to shoot 9fps with continuous AF and reliable subject tracking outperforms the GF3's sluggish 3fps and contrast-only autofocus.

Telephoto lens availability matters, too; GF3’s vast lens availability includes many small MFT telephotos, but the smaller sensor means effectively less reach (2.1x crop factor) compared to M6 (1.6x crop).

Street Photography

For street and candid photography, the GF3’s small, stealthy build is a genuine advantage. Its lightweight body and silent shutter (although limited shutter speed options) let you blend into scenes. The M6 is more conspicuous but offers faster controls and superior image quality, especially useful in mixed lighting.

Macro Photography

Macro shooters need precise autofocus and the ability to work with high-magnification lenses. GF3’s MFT lens options are rich in specialty macro glass, and its smaller sensor offers greater depth of field at wider apertures. However, the M6’s faster AF and better resolution allow crisper macro shots, albeit with less depth of field.

Video Performance: What About Moving Pictures?

Both cameras support Full HD (1080p) video but differ in capabilities.

• Canon M6: 1080p at 60fps, recording in MP4/H.264 with AAC audio. Includes a microphone input for external audio, improving sound control. No headphone jack though. Lacks 4K or high frame rate modes.

• Panasonic GF3: 1080p at 60fps but limited to AVCHD and Motion JPEG formats. No external mic input limits audio quality options.

Neither camera includes in-body image stabilization - an important consideration for handheld video. The M6’s better processor and audio input make it more viable for semiprofessional video, though still not a serious video powerhouse by modern standards.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Daily Considerations

Battery endurance impacts shooting during travel or extended sessions.

• M6 provides approximately 295 shots per charge.
• GF3 offers a slightly longer 300 shots rating.

Neither battery endurance is stellar by today’s standards but is typical for compact mirrorless from their eras. Charging spares is advised for all-day shooting.

Both cameras support SD/SDHC/SDXC cards in a single slot - standard fare.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Connectivity options often make life easier for rapid sharing or remote shooting.

• Canon M6 shines here with built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC for effortless wireless transfer and smartphone remote control.
• Panasonic GF3 offers no wireless features, limiting convenience in this department.

If you rely on quick image transfer or wireless tethering, the M6 holds a significant edge.

Value and Pricing: What Are You Paying For?

At current reference prices, the Canon M6 retailed around $679 new at launch, positioning it as an advanced enthusiast mirrorless camera. The Panasonic GF3, being an older entry-level model, was priced around $360.

The gap explains differences in technology, features, and performance. For hobbyists or beginners on a tight budget, the GF3 offers a competent introduction to mirrorless photography, especially if paired with MFT’s expansive lens choices.

For discerning photographers seeking superior image quality, faster AF, and better ergonomics, the Canon M6 justifies its higher price with a more modern, capable package.

Tossing It All Together: How Do They Stack Up in Performance?

Here’s a consolidated visual rating drawing from my tests and industry benchmarks:

And a genre-specific performance breakdown:

Key takeaways:

Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Pick?

Pick the Canon EOS M6 if:

• You want superior image quality with higher resolution and better ISO performance.
• Fast and accurate autofocus is critical, especially for capturing action, wildlife, or portraiture.
• You value a versatile tilting touchscreen and potential EVF use.
• You need contemporary wireless features for easy sharing and remote control.
• Video work matters and microphone input is important.
• You prefer a balanced camera with good ergonomics and solid build.

Lean toward the Panasonic GF3 if:

• You’re a beginner on a tight budget wanting a simple, lightweight mirrorless camera.
• You prioritize portability and discretion (great for street or casual travel).
• You want to tap into the vast Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem for varied shooting styles.
• You don’t need fast autofocus or advanced features.
• Your video needs are minimal and you prefer a camera you can pocket easily.

Personal Reflections

Having tested both extensively, I admire the Canon M6 for marrying solid technology and user-friendly design in a compact form. It holds up well even versus newer entry models thanks to its APS-C sensor and responsive controls. On the flip side, the Panasonic GF3 represents a classic lightweight mirrorless path - ideal for those who prioritize portability and lens choice over raw speed or advanced features.

Dear Canon, please consider including an EVF in future M6 iterations as an optional - a feature sorely missed for bright outdoor shooting. For Panasonic fans, the GF3 is dated now, but a solid foundation paved the way for their outstanding later MFT cameras.

Whichever you choose, I hope this deep comparison helps clarify where each camera fits in the evolving mirrorless landscape.

If you want to see sample images from both cameras for a real-world feel:

Canon M6 front Canon M6 screen back Panasonic GF3 front Panasonic GF3 screen back

Thanks for reading, and as always, happy shooting!