Canon EOS M3 vs Nikon D1

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS M3 and Nikon D1. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS M3 is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D1 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Type of camera

Canon EOS M3 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D1 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS M3 has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D1 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

** 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)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Canon EOS M3 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D1 has 2,7 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Canon EOS M3 has a 815 % larger resolution than Nikon D1. 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

Canon EOS M3 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D1. Canon EOS M3 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Nikon D1 has 200 to 1600.

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

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS M3
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D1

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 Nikon D1 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds.

Ability to record movies

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

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Canon EOS M3. Unfortunately Nikon D1 does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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.

Nikon D1 weighs 1200 gr (equal to 2.65 lb) which is 228% heavier than Canon EOS M3 and its 366 gr (or 0.81 lb).

Canon EOS M3 vs Nikon D1 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS M3 and Nikon D1, 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	Nikon D1
Name	Canon EOS M3	Nikon D1
Manufacturer	Canon	Nikon
Release Date and Price	Canon EOS M3	Nikon D1
Release Year	2015	1999
Release Date	2015-02-06	1999-06-15
MSRP	679 USD	4999 USD
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Camera Type	Canon EOS M3	Nikon D1
Camera Type	Mirrorless	DSLR
Sensor	Canon EOS M3	Nikon D1
Sensor Size	APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)	APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type	CMOS	CCD
Resolution	6000 x 4000 pixels	2000 x 1312 pixels
Megapixels	24 MP	2,7 MP
Image Processor	DIGIC 6	Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration)
Image	Canon EOS M3	Nikon D1
ISO Range	100 - 12800	200 - 1600
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	Nikon D1
Autofocus Motor	Yes	Yes
Autofocus	Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView	Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous
Focus Points	49	5
Lens Mount	Canon EF-M See Compatible Lenses	Nikon F 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	DX / APS-C (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder	Canon EOS M3	Nikon D1
Articulated LCD	Tilting	Fixed
Screen size	3”	2”
Screen dots	1040000	130000
Touch screen	Yes	No
Screen type	ClearView II TFT-LCD	N/A
Live view	Yes	No
Viewfinder Type	Electronic (Optional via Canon EVF-DC2)	Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage		96%
Viewfinder Magnification		0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution	0	N/A
Photography features	Canon EOS M3	Nikon D1
Frames per second	4,2 fps	4,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed	0 seconds	30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed	1/0 seconds	1/16000 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
Exposure Compensation	+/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps)	+/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features	Canon EOS M3	Nikon D1
Video recording	Yes	No
Video format	H.264	N/A
Video resolution	1280 x 720 1920 x 1080	N/A
Built-in Microphone	Yes	No
Built-in Speakers	Yes	No
Storage	Canon EOS M3	Nikon D1
Memory Card	SD/SDHC	Compact Flash
Connectivity	Canon EOS M3	Nikon D1
HDMI Output	Yes	No
Microphone Port	Yes	No
Headphone Port	No	No
Wireless	Yes Built-in (802.11b/g/n with NFC)	No
Remote Control	Yes (via smartphone)	Supported
GPS	No	No
Body & Dimensions	Canon EOS M3	Nikon D1
Enviromentally sealed	No	No
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	LP-E17 lithium-ion battery & charger	Rechargeable EN-4 Ni-MH battery
Battery Life (CIPA)	250 shots	N/A
Width	111 mm	157 mm
Height	68 mm	153 mm
Depth	44 mm	85 mm
Weight	366 gram	1200 gram