• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Olympus E-P3 advantages over Canon EOS M

  • 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
  • Fast startup
    ~0.90 vs 2.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 330 vs 230 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Less shutter lag
    0.22 vs 0.74 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Canon EOS M advantages over Olympus E-P3

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $900 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Higher effective ISO
    827 vs 536 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    11.2 vs 10.1 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • 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
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 614k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    18.0 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.2 fps vs 3.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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 panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

  • Extremely fast autofocus; Pop-up flash and AF-assist lamp; Full HD recording; wisely limited focus for touchscreen; excellent print quality results; removable grip.

  • Larger than some competitors (see E-PL3 if you prefer a smaller camera); strong noise suppression; touchscreen easily activated by mistake; list of options is overwhelming; shoulder strap D-rings are noisy.

  • Excellent image quality similar to Rebel T4i, T5i and SL1 DSLRs, with 18-megapixel APS-C-type sensor delivering considerable resolution for a mirrorless camera; Solid build and sleek design; Bright, high-resolution 3-inch LCD touchscreen monitor; Full 1080p HD video recording that's virtually silent with an STM lens.

  • Barely acceptable autofocus speed still lags far behind most mirrorless cameras despite firmware update fix; Limited physical controls and buttons, including no Program, Priority, or Manual on Mode dial; Lacks built-in flash or electronic viewfinder option; Only two compact EF-M mount lenses currently available.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-P2

Olympus E-P3
Olympus E-P2
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Canon EOS M
Olympus E-P2
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Olympus E-PL2

Olympus E-P3
Olympus E-PL2
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • More dots on screen
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
Canon EOS M
Olympus E-PL2
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Olympus E-P3
Olympus E-PL3
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Internal flash
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
Canon EOS M
Olympus E-PL3
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Olympus E-P3
Sony NEX-5N
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Canon EOS M
Sony NEX-5N
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Olympus E-P3
Sony NEX-5R
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Canon EOS M
Sony NEX-5R
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
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