Unleash Your Creativity with the Canon EOS M3 Camera

This blog post explores the capabilities and features of the Canon EOS M3 camera, an excellent choice for photography enthusiasts and professionals. With an interchangeable lens system, a 24.2-megapixel sensor, and fast autofocus, you can capture stunning photos and videos. Discover how this camera can help unleash your creativity in any situation, from lifestyle and street photography to portraits and landscapes.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Canon EOS M3 article cover photo

Key Features

Feb 06 2015

Announced

24 megapixels

Resolution

BrandCanon
Sensor TypeAPS-C
SensorCMOS
Weight366g
MSRP$799USD

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Overview of the EOS M3

Are you looking for a versatile and compact camera that delivers outstanding image quality? If so, the Canon EOS M3 is worth considering. This mirrorless camera combines high-end features with portability and ease of use, making it an excellent choice for on-the-go photography and videography. In this blog post, we'll delve into the features that make the Canon EOS M3 stand out, including its interchangeable lens system, 24.2-megapixel sensor, and fast autofocus. We'll also explore how this camera can help take your photography to the next level, no matter what kind of subject or style you prefer. So, let's get started and unleash your creativity with the Canon EOS M3 camera.

Canon EOS M3 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Canon EOS M3 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High image quality
Interchangeable lenses
Compact and lightweight
Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity
Touch screen interface
Fast autofocus
Automatic noise reduction
Good low light performance

Cons

Limited battery life
No 4K video recording
Limited selection of native lenses
No built-in viewfinder
Limited dynamic range
Limited autofocus tracking
Relatively high price point compared to other mirrorless cameras

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Canon EOS M3

Weather sealed
Dimensions111 x 68 x 44mm
Weight366g
Thickness44mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
This
Max

Weather Sealing

The Canon EOS M3 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderElectronic (optional)
Screen TypeTilting
Screen Resolution1,040k dots
Body typeRangefinder-style mirrorless

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a tilting 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 1,040k dots. This makes the Canon EOS M3 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. The camera also features a touch screen, which adds to its ease of use.

Viewfinder

EOS M3 includes a electronic (optional) viewfinder with no electronic viewfinder of resolution with a coverage of n/a and a magnification of n/a. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Canon EOS M3 has a 24MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 24 pixels. Canon EOS M3 has a native ISO range of 100 - 12800 which can be boosted to null - 25600. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Feb 06 2015

Announced

100 - 12800

ISO Range

SensorAPS-C
Extended ISOnull - 25600
Max resolution6000 x 4000 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

72 / 102

Color Depth

22.8 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

11.8 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

1169 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Canon EOS M3 camera has above average color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also average, allowing it to retain low amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is poor, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the EOS M3 is average

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1.6x

Full frame equivalent

38.400000000000006mm

This camera: APS-C

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC
Battery Life250 shots
Battery ModelLP-E17
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Canon EOS M3 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Canon EOS M3 uses the LP-E17 model of battery pack. This is rated for 250 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Canon EOS M3 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. It also offers a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Canon EOS M3 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Canon EOS M3 includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 49 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Canon EOS M3?

The Canon EOS M3 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Canon EOS M3 weather sealed?

No the EOS M3 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Canon EOS M3 announced?

The Canon EOS M3 was announced on Feb 06 2015

Does the Canon EOS M3 have in-body image stabilization?

No the EOS M3 does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Canon EOS M3?

The EOS M3 has a native ISO range of 100-12800, which can be expanded to ISO null-25600 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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