• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Olympus E-PL9

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Olympus E-PL9 advantages over Canon EOS M3

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.6 fps vs 4.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.6 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    14 vs 4 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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

User reviews

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Buy the Canon EOS M3
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  • Kit with 18-55mm and 55-200mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 18-55mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 18-55mm lens (White)
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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-PL9
Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Brown)
  • Body Only (White)
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Black)
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Brown)
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens (White)
All E-PL9 Deals

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.

  • Read our Canon EOS M3 Review

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Canon EOS M3
Samsung NX3000
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Samsung NX3000

Olympus E-PL9
Samsung NX3000
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Samsung NX3000

Compared to Samsung NX500

Canon EOS M3
Samsung NX500
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Samsung NX500

Olympus E-PL9
Samsung NX500
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • NFC

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Samsung NX500

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Canon EOS M3
Panasonic GX85
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • NFC
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-PL9
Panasonic GX85
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Canon EOS M3
Olympus E-PL8
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • NFC
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Olympus E-PL8

Olympus E-PL9
Olympus E-PL8
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $599
  • 4/3

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus E-PL8

Compared to Fujifilm X-E3

Canon EOS M3
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • NFC
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Fujifilm X-E3

Olympus E-PL9
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Fujifilm X-E3

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