Canon EOS M5 vs Canon EOS M3

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS M5 and Canon EOS M3. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Canon EOS M5 were released 2016 and Canon EOS M3 was released 2015. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS M5 2016
Canon EOS M3 2015

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 M5 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Canon EOS M3 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

Both these cameras have the exact same resolution. Canon EOS M5 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS M3 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS M5 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Canon EOS M3 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

ISO range

Canon EOS M5 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS M3. Canon EOS M5 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS M3 has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS M5 100-25600
Canon EOS M3 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 M5 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 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 M5
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS M3

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS M5 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS M3 can shoot up to 4,2 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS M5 9
Canon EOS M3 4,2

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Canon EOS M5 and Canon EOS M3 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 M5 weighs 427 gr (equal to 0.94 lb) which is 17% heavier than Canon EOS M3 and its 366 gr (or 0.81 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS M5 427 gr
0.94 lb
Canon EOS M3 366 gr
0.81 lb

Canon EOS M5 vs Canon EOS M3 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS M5 and Canon EOS M3, 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 M5
Canon EOS M3
Name Canon EOS M5 Canon EOS M3
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS M5
Canon EOS M3
Release Year 2016 2015
Release Date 2016-09-15 2015-02-06
MSRP 979 USD 679 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS M5
Canon EOS M3
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Canon EOS M5
Canon EOS M3
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 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 24 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 7 DIGIC 6
Image
Canon EOS M5
Canon EOS M3
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 6 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No
(5-axis for video only)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS M5
Canon EOS M3
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
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 49 49
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 M5
Canon EOS M3
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3.2” 3”
Screen dots 1620000 1040000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD ClearView II TFT-LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic (Optional via Canon EVF-DC2)
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.62x
Viewfinder Resolution 2360000 0
Photography features
Canon EOS M5
Canon EOS M3
Frames per second 9 fps 4,2 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 0 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/0 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 5 meters 5 meters
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 steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS M5
Canon EOS M3
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
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 M5
Canon EOS M3
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS M5
Canon EOS M3
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11/b/g/n with Bluetooth and NFC)
Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n with NFC)
Remote Control Yes (Wired, wireless, or smartphone) Yes (via smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS M5
Canon EOS M3
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details LP-E17 lithium-ion battery & charger
LP-E17 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 295 shots 250 shots
Width 116 mm 111 mm
Height 89 mm 68 mm
Depth 61 mm 44 mm
Weight 427 gram 366 gram