Canon EOS M3 vs Panasonic GX850

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Canon EOS M3 vs Panasonic GX850

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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.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.0 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GX850 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GX850 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GX850.
Compare Panasonic GX850 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GX850 conclusion.

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Differences

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Panasonic GX850

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
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 GX850 test data on DxO Mark

1,169 vs 586 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
More telephoto lens reach
88 mm vs 64 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Higher max flash sync
1/200 vs 1/50 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.23 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.2 vs 16.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 114 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Panasonic GX850 advantages over Canon EOS M3

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
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
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
GX850 test data on DxO Mark EOS M3 test data on DxO Mark

13.3 vs 11.8 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Thinner
33 mm vs 44 mm
Thinner
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 29 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
9.3 fps vs 4.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.5 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
17 vs 4 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
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
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
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read EOS M3 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GX850 User Reviews

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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

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Buy the Panasonic GX850

Kit with 12-32mm Lens (Black)

Kit with 12-32mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 12-32mm Lens (Silver)

All GX850 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

Impressive image quality; Sleek design; 4K video recording; Good overall performance; Tilting touchscreen; Enjoyable user experience.
No EVF; No hot shoe, Short 4K clip limit; MicroSD card slot, Poor battery life.
Read our Panasonic GX850 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

Panasonic GX850

Samsung NX3000

$548
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$950
APS-C

Larger sensor
NFC

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Samsung NX3000

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Canon EOS M3

Panasonic GM5

$700
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tiltable Screen

$898
4/3

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GX850

Panasonic GM5

$548
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$898
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic GM5

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Canon EOS M3

Panasonic GF7

$700
APS-C

Larger sensor
NFC

$590
4/3

Lens selection
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GX850

Panasonic GF7

$548
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$590
4/3

Fast startup
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic GF7

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

Panasonic GX850

Samsung NX500

$548
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Samsung NX500

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

Panasonic GX850

Fujifilm X-E3

$548
4/3

Lens selection
Tiltable Screen

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Fujifilm X-E3

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