Canon EOS M3 vs Canon EOS M

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS M3 and Canon EOS M. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Canon EOS M3 were released 2015 and Canon EOS M was released 2012. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS M3 2015
Canon EOS M 2012

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Canon APS-C") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS M3 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Canon EOS M 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Canon EOS M3 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS M has 18 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS M3 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Canon EOS M 18 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456

Canon EOS M3 has a 34 % larger resolution than Canon EOS M. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS M3 100-12800
Canon EOS M 100-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS M3 belongs to the Canon EOS M-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS M

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS M belongs to the Canon EOS M-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS M

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS M3
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS M

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS M3 can shoot up to 4,2 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS M can shoot up to 4,3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS M3 4,2
Canon EOS M 4,3

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Canon EOS M3 and Canon EOS M can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS M3 weighs 366 gr (equal to 0.81 lb) which is 23% heavier than Canon EOS M and its 298 gr (or 0.66 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS M3 366 gr
0.81 lb
Canon EOS M 298 gr
0.66 lb

Canon EOS M3 vs Canon EOS M Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS M3 and Canon EOS M, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS M3
Canon EOS M
Name Canon EOS M3 Canon EOS M
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS M3
Canon EOS M
Release Year 2015 2012
Release Date 2015-02-06 2012-07-23
MSRP 679 USD 799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS M3
Canon EOS M
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Canon EOS M3
Canon EOS M
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 18 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 6 DIGIC 5
Image
Canon EOS M3
Canon EOS M
ISO Range 100 - 12800 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 6 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS M3
Canon EOS M
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 49 31
Lens Mount Canon EF-M

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF-M

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS M3
Canon EOS M
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1040000 1040000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type ClearView II TFT-LCD Clear View II TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic (Optional via Canon EVF-DC2) No Viewfinder
Viewfinder Coverage
Viewfinder Magnification
Viewfinder Resolution 0 0
Photography features
Canon EOS M3
Canon EOS M
Frames per second 4,2 fps 4,3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 0 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/0 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 5 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS M3
Canon EOS M
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Canon EOS M3
Canon EOS M
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS M3
Canon EOS M
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n with NFC)
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (via smartphone) No
GPS No Yes
Optional via GP-E2
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS M3
Canon EOS M
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details LP-E17 lithium-ion battery & charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E12 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 250 shots 230 shots
Width 111 mm 109 mm
Height 68 mm 66 mm
Depth 44 mm 32 mm
Weight 366 gram 298 gram