Canon EOS R8 vs Canon EOS M3

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS R8 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 R8 were released 2023 and Canon EOS M3 was released 2015. That is a 8 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS R8 2023
Canon EOS M3 2015

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS R8 has a "Canon Full Frame"-sensor while Canon EOS M3 has a "Canon APS-C"-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 R8 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
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 R8 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 R8 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Canon EOS M3 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

ISO range

Canon EOS R8 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS M3. Canon EOS R8 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 102400 while Canon EOS M3 has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS R8 100-102400
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 R8 belongs to the Canon EOS R-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 R

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 R8
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 R8 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS M3 can shoot up to 4,2 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS R8 6
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 R8 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 R8 weighs 461 gr (equal to 1.02 lb) which is 26% heavier than Canon EOS M3 and its 366 gr (or 0.81 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS R8 461 gr
1.02 lb
Canon EOS M3 366 gr
0.81 lb

Canon EOS R8 vs Canon EOS M3 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS R8 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 R8
Canon EOS M3
Name Canon EOS R8 Canon EOS M3
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS R8
Canon EOS M3
Release Year 2023 2015
Release Date 2023-02-08 2015-02-06
MSRP 1499 USD 679 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS R8
Canon EOS M3
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Canon EOS R8
Canon EOS M3
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 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 X DIGIC 6
Image
Canon EOS R8
Canon EOS M3
ISO Range 100 - 102400 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 R8
Canon EOS M3
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus 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 1053 49
Lens Mount Canon RF

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF-M

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 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 R8
Canon EOS M3
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Tilting
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1620000 1040000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type N/A ClearView II TFT-LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic (Optional via Canon EVF-DC2)
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution 2360000 0
Photography features
Canon EOS R8
Canon EOS M3
Frames per second 6 fps 4,2 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 0 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/0 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 5 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS R8
Canon EOS M3
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
H.265
H.264
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Canon EOS R8
Canon EOS M3
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS R8
Canon EOS M3
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (Wireless LAN (IEEE802.11b/g/n) (2.4 GHz)32, with Bluetooth 4.2 support)
Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n with NFC)
Remote Control Yes. RS-60E3-type terminal (remote control terminal)
Yes (via smartphone)
GPS Yes
Optional via GP-E2
No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS R8
Canon EOS M3
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable Li-ion Battery LP-E17
LP-E17 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 220 shots 250 shots
Width 133 mm 111 mm
Height 86 mm 68 mm
Depth 70 mm 44 mm
Weight 461 gram 366 gram