Canon EOS M3
Announced February 6, 2015
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Good
The Canon EOS M3 represents a significant upgrade over its predecessor, offering improved ergonomics, a sharp 24.2-megapixel sensor, and a highly functional tilting touchscreen. That said, the camera struggles to keep pace with the broader mirrorless market due to sluggish autofocus, a limited native lens selection, and the absence of a built-in electronic viewfinder.
Weighted from 31 reviewer scores
Pros
- High-quality image output with excellent color accuracy
- Versatile tilting touchscreen LCD with intuitive controls
- Sturdy build with a comfortable, well-designed grip
- Improved autofocus speed for single-shot acquisitions
- Broad lens compatibility via adapters
Cons
- Limited native lens selection for the EF-M mount
- Sluggish autofocus performance and tracking
- Lacks a built-in electronic viewfinder
- Dated video capabilities lacking 4K or high frame rates
- Poor battery life
- Launch price $679.99 (USD)
- Sensor 24.2MP APS-C CMOS
- Video 1080p 30p
- Stabilization None
- Burst 4.2 fps electronic 4.2 fps mechanical
What the Reviewers Say
All 31 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- DPReview 75/100
With so many great mirrorless cameras on the market, the EOS M3 just isn't competitive.
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Better than the original, but doesn’t fit the bill for everyone All said and done, the Canon EOS M3 is a significant improvement over the original EOS M. There’s a better sensor, better AF performance and better ergonomics, which should please more advanced photographers.
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The EOS M3 is Canon's most serious mirrorless camera to date. It takes on board many of the issues with the original EOS M, makes a raft of improvements and ends up delivering an experience that's so much more satisfying [...]
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It is compact, well made, and handles well, with a sensibly thought-out control layout and well-designed grip.
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In many ways it is a far superior camera to where Canon began with the M series, and in many aspects it addresses the concerns that I and other photographers had with the M Classic. But then there are areas where it takes some puzzling steps back.
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Honestly guys, I just don't find it a very inspiring package for video.
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[T]he Canon EOS M3 deliver high image quality, with good nosie performance up to and including ISO6400, and the camera has siginificantly improved focus performance, making it almost as quick as other mirrorless cameras, and quicker than some.
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The new Canon EOS M3 is a much more serious compact system camera than the original EOS M that we reviewed back in 2012.
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The Canon EOS M3 is a good camera, but it’s not the best. It’s a good start for Canon’s CSC line, but it’s not the best start.
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Canon takes a big step forward in the mirrorless camera market with the EOS M3, but it still lags behind the competition.
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While the M3 is very capable, the 18-55mm kit limits detail resolution significantly and the autofocus system has a habit of focusing on the background rather than the subject.
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There's no doubt that the Canon EOS M3 is a major improvement over its previous generation of mirrorless cameras.
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At $680 for the body only, Canon's EOS M3 is worth the money — and that's something I couldn't have said about either of its predecessors.
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[A]lthough the M3 is a huge improvement on its predecessor it’s up against some serious competition and it’s difficult to claim that it outperforms its closest challengers.
- Digital Trends 6/10
The EOS M3 is a solid offering from Canon, but it is overshadowed by the more-advanced EOS M5.
- CNET 7.5/10
It’s a perfectly competent camera, but it doesn’t stand out from an increasingly crowded field, making the M3 a camera that’s hard to recommend above any other.
- Photo Review 8.7/10
Although the EOS M3 is better configured for photo enthusiasts, the lack of a built-in EVF remains a serious barrier to its acceptance as a serious enthusiast’s or pro photographer’s camera, even as a back-up body.
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On the one hand the EOS M3 is a massive improvement over the original, adding a cool tilt-bracket touchscreen LCD screen for selfies, front thumbwheel, and dedicated mode dial, so kudos for that.
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[...] I can say EOS M3 is not a bad camera, but it's simply too boring to stand out from the crowd. It is good at everything but exceptional at nothing.
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The two things that keep it from being a complete winner are the lack of a built-in EVF and the autofocus performance.
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The EOS M3 is for someone who demands first-rate picture quality from a tiny camera. It has the same quality as any of Canon's APS-C DSLRs, in a smaller package.
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Fortunately, for Canon, the EOS M3 is a much better-thought out camera than its earlier versions. If the EOS M seemed like a compact camera with an interchangeable lens system, then the EOS M3 is a much-improved enthusiast camera with good user controls.
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The investment may be a little too much for a casual photographer, but this is the perfect compromise between compact and powerful.
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All in all it seems that Niccolls feels that there are simply better options on the market right now for people looking for a good mirrorless camera.
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[I]ts low-light performance is below par, it has a limited dynamic range, renders high noise in ISO settings of 1000 and above, and is too heavy to justify itself as the perfect compact replacement for a DSLR with most of its capabilities.
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Right off the bat then, this is a very capable performer if you want excellent results (even at night, with high ISO) in a more portable size.
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The EOS M3 with the 18 to 55 kit lens is a versatile set up that can be used for advanced amateur grade portraiture, street photography, food photography, travel photography and decent video recording.
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I don’t think Canon see mirrorless as a serious alternative, even to their low-end DSLRs.
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Long story short, with the EOS M3 Canon real does have a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera that isn’t an expensive toy, but an actual tool. And as far as I’m concerned, that’s a good thing.
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Canon EOS M3 is a mixed bag product.
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[...] Canon EOS M3 is a highly recommended camera, because it suits the needs of a wide range of people—ranging from amateur photographers to experts.
