Canon EOS M3 vs Nikon D5500
This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS M3 and Nikon D5500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Canon EOS M3 is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D5500 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.
These two camera models were both released 2015.Camera | Released |
Canon EOS M3 | 2015 |
Nikon D5500 | 2015 |
Type of camera
Canon EOS M3 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D5500 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 D5500 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.
Camera | Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 ** |
Canon EOS M3 | 80 mm Canon APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6 |
Nikon D5500 | 75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
** 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
Both these cameras have the exact same resolution. Canon EOS M3 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D5500 has 24 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 |
Nikon D5500 |
24 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
ISO range
Nikon D5500 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS M3. Nikon D5500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS M3 has 100 to 12800.
Camera | ISO Range |
Canon EOS M3 | 100-12800 |
Nikon D5500 | 100-25600 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS M3 has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D5500 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D5500 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.
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 D5500
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 D5500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Canon EOS M3 | 4,2 |
Nikon D5500 | 5 |
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 Nikon D5500 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.
Nikon D5500 weighs 420 gr (equal to 0.93 lb) which is 15% heavier than Canon EOS M3 and its 366 gr (or 0.81 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Canon EOS M3 | 366 gr 0.81 lb |
Nikon D5500 | 420 gr 0.93 lb |
Canon EOS M3 vs Nikon D5500 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS M3 and Nikon D5500, 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 D5500 |
Name | Canon EOS M3 | Nikon D5500 |
Manufacturer | Canon | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Canon EOS M3 |
Nikon D5500 |
Release Year | 2015 | 2015 |
Release Date | 2015-02-06 | 2015-01-06 |
MSRP | 679 USD | 899 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Canon EOS M3 |
Nikon D5500 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | DSLR |
Sensor |
Canon EOS M3 |
Nikon D5500 |
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 | CMOS |
Resolution | 6000 x 4000 pixels | 6000 x 4000 pixels |
Megapixels | 24 MP | 24 MP |
Image Processor | DIGIC 6 | EXPEED 4 |
Image |
Canon EOS M3 |
Nikon D5500 |
ISO Range | 100 - 12800 | 100 - 25600 |
White Balance Presets | 6 | 12 |
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 D5500 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | No |
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 Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 49 | 39 |
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 D5500 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Fully articulated |
Screen size | 3” | 3,2” |
Screen dots | 1040000 | 1037000 |
Touch screen | Yes | Yes |
Screen type | ClearView II TFT-LCD | TFT LCD Monitor |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic (Optional via Canon EVF-DC2) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.82× (0.51× 35mm equiv.) | |
Viewfinder Resolution | 0 | 0 |
Photography features |
Canon EOS M3 |
Nikon D5500 |
Frames per second | 4,2 fps | 5 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 0 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/0 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | 5 meters | 12 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | Yes |
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 D5500 |
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 |
Nikon D5500 |
Memory Card |
SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Canon EOS M3 |
Nikon D5500 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | Yes | Yes |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless |
Yes Built-in (802.11b/g/n with NFC) |
Yes Built-In |
Remote Control | Yes (via smartphone) |
Yes (MC-DC2 (wired), WR-1/WR-R10 (wireless))
|
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Canon EOS M3 |
Nikon D5500 |
Enviromentally sealed | No | No |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
LP-E17 lithium-ion battery & charger
|
EN-EL14 / EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 250 shots | 820 shots |
Width | 111 mm | 124 mm |
Height | 68 mm | 97 mm |
Depth | 44 mm | 70 mm |
Weight | 366 gram | 420 gram |