• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Nikon D3400

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    44 mm vs 75 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.20 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 100 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon D3400 advantages over Canon EOS M3

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Less expensive
    $497 vs $850
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 2.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • More dynamic range
    13.9 vs 11.8 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1200 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.1 fps vs 4.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    5.1 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    12 vs 4 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon EOS M3

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D3400

Review Excerpt

  • DSLR image quality & resolution in a mirrorless body; Higher-res 24MP APS-C sensor; Much improved AF performance; Better ergonomics with full PASM dial; Built-in Wi-Fi & NFC; Tilting LCD.

  • No built-in EVF; Limited native lens selection; Slow burst mode; Shallow buffer depth with RAW files; No 60p video frame rate or 4K video option.

  • Compact DSLR camera body; Excellent image quality; Reliable single-shot autofocus; Good continuous JPEG shooting performance; New kit lens has improved AF; Great value at current prices.

  • SnapBridge is slow and limited; Poor continuous autofocus; No built-in Wi-Fi; Mediocre video features.

The Competition

Compared to Canon T6i

Canon EOS M3
Canon T6i
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Nikon D3400
Canon T6i
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Sony A6000

Canon EOS M3
Sony A6000
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $674
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D3400
Sony A6000
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $674
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Canon EOS M3
Samsung NX3000
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon D3400
Samsung NX3000
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Nikon D5500

Canon EOS M3
Nikon D5500
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • NFC
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D3400
Nikon D5500
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Canon SL2

Canon EOS M3
Canon SL2
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Nikon D3400
Canon SL2
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
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