Panasonic G3 vs Canon EOS M

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Panasonic G3 vs Canon EOS M

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4/3 224.9mm²
16.0 megapixels

Go in depth with our full Panasonic G3 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the G3.

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

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

Succeeded by the Panasonic G5
Compare G3 vs G5

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

Compare PANASONIC G5 vs CANON EOS M3

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Differences

Panasonic G3 advantages over Canon EOS M

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
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Fast startup
~1.40 vs 2.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Less shutter lag
0.29 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 Panasonic G3

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Less expensive
$600 vs $700 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
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 M test data on DxO Mark G3 test data on DxO Mark

827 vs 667 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
32 mm vs 46 mm
Thinner
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 460k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
4.2 fps vs 3.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
13 vs 7 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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
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 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

Read our Panasonic G3 Full Review

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.
Read our Canon EOS M Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Panasonic G3

Sony NEX-5N

$700
4/3

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$700
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Sony NEX-5N

Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-5N

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Panasonic G3

Olympus E-M5

$700
4/3

Internal flash
More viewfinder magnification

$900
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Olympus E-M5

Canon EOS M

Olympus E-M5

$600
APS-C

Larger sensor
On-sensor phase detect

$900
4/3

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon EOS M vs Olympus E-M5

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Panasonic G3

Sony NEX-5R

$700
4/3

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Sony NEX-5R

Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-5R

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
External Mic Jack

$499
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Canon EOS M vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Panasonic G3

Panasonic GX7

$700
4/3

Less expensive

$648
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic GX7

Canon EOS M

Panasonic GX7

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$648
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Canon EOS M vs Panasonic GX7

Compared to Olympus E-M10

Panasonic G3

Olympus E-M10

$700
4/3

More viewfinder magnification
Shoots 60p video

$399
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Olympus E-M10

Canon EOS M

Olympus E-M10

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$399
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Canon EOS M vs Olympus E-M10

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