Canon T2i vs Canon EOS M3

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Canon T2i vs Canon EOS M3

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APS-C 332.3mm²
18.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Canon T2i Review.
See real-world photos taken with the T2i.

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.

Succeeded by the Canon T3i
Compare T2i vs T3i

Succeeded by the Canon EOS M6
Compare EOS M3 vs EOS M6

Compare CANON T3I vs CANON EOS M6

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Differences

Canon T2i advantages over Canon EOS M3

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 4.30 vs 3.72 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 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

440 vs 250 shots
Capture more photos
Bigger RAW buffer
6 vs 4 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Canon T2i

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
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 T2i test data on DxO Mark

1,169 vs 784 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
44 mm vs 76 mm
Thinner
Newer
9 years vs 15 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.25 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.2 vs 18.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster JPEG shooting
4.2 fps vs 3.6 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 10 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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 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

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Adorama
Read T2i User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read EOS M3 User Reviews

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Buy the Canon T2i

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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

Review Excerpt

Read our Canon T2i Full Review

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 Pentax K-7

Canon T2i

Pentax K-7

$692
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$1300
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T2i vs Pentax K-7

Canon EOS M3

Pentax K-7

$1049
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Sony A55

Canon T2i

Sony A55

$692
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$734
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T2i vs Sony A55

Canon EOS M3

Sony A55

$1049
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$734
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Sony A55

Compared to Nikon D5100

Canon T2i

Nikon D5100

$692
APS-C

Shoots 60p video

$650
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Canon T2i vs Nikon D5100

Canon EOS M3

Nikon D5100

$1049
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$650
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Nikon D5100

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Canon T2i

Samsung NX3000

$692
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$950
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

Compare Canon T2i vs Samsung NX3000

Canon EOS M3

Samsung NX3000

$1049
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$950
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Samsung NX3000

Compared to Fujifilm X-E3

Canon T2i

Fujifilm X-E3

$692
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon T2i vs Fujifilm X-E3

Canon EOS M3

Fujifilm X-E3

$1049
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
NFC

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Fujifilm X-E3

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