Canon EOS M3 vs Olympus PEN-F

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Canon EOS M3 vs Olympus PEN-F

Leave Feedback

APS-C 332.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Canon EOS M3 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon EOS M3 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the EOS M3.
Compare Canon EOS M3 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon EOS M3 conclusion.

4/3 226.2mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus PEN-F Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus PEN-F in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the PEN-F.
Compare Olympus PEN-F image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus PEN-F conclusion.

Buy From

Differences

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Olympus PEN-F

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Less expensive
$700 vs $999*
Save money for lenses or accessories
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
EOS M3 test data on DxO Mark PEN-F test data on DxO Mark

1,169 vs 894 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 43 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus PEN-F advantages over Canon EOS M3

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Fast startup
~1.80 vs 2.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

330 vs 250 shots
Capture more photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
10.4 fps vs 4.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.5 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
39 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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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

Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read EOS M3 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read PEN-F User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon EOS M3

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm and 55-200mm lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm lens (White)

All EOS M3 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus PEN-F

Body Only (Silver)

Body Only (Silver)
Body Only (Black)

All PEN-F 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

Highest resolution Olympus 4/3" camera yet; Excellent image quality for its class; Very good dynamic range; Fast autofocus; Fast burst speeds; Lots of fun creative filter options; Built-in EVF, Wi-Fi.
Expensive; No weather sealing; Mediocre battery life; No 4K video; No mic or headphone jacks.
Read our Olympus PEN-F 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 PEN-F

Samsung NX3000

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$950
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus PEN-F 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 PEN-F

Samsung NX500

$999
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$1600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus PEN-F 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 PEN-F

Panasonic GX85

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
High resolution composite

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus PEN-F 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 PEN-F

Olympus E-PL8

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$599
4/3

Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Olympus PEN-F 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 PEN-F

Fujifilm X-E3

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Fujifilm X-E3

Compare Other Cameras?