Panasonic LF1 vs Canon EOS M3

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Panasonic LF1 vs Canon EOS M3

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1/1.7 inch 43.3mm²
12.1 megapixels
28.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Panasonic LF1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the LF1.

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.

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Differences

Panasonic LF1 advantages over Canon EOS M3

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
Fast startup
~1.50 vs 2.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Thinner
27 mm vs 44 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
192g vs 366g
Lighter weight
Longer exposure
250 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 4.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
10 vs 4 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Panasonic LF1

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/1.7 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.72 vs 1.90 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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 LF1 test data on DxO Mark

1,169 vs 211 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.24 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 12 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

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Both provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
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 LF1 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read EOS M3 User Reviews

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Buy the Panasonic LF1

Panasonic LF1

All LF1 Deals

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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

We haven’t reviewed the Panasonic LF1.
Read our Panasonic LF1 Initial Test

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 Canon S100

Panasonic LF1

Canon S100

$248
1/1.7 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

$429
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
Built-in GPS

Compare Panasonic LF1 vs Canon S100

Canon EOS M3

Canon S100

$850
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$429
1/1.7 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Built-in GPS

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Canon S100

Compared to Canon S110

Panasonic LF1

Canon S110

$248
1/1.7 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

$249
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Panasonic LF1 vs Canon S110

Canon EOS M3

Canon S110

$850
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$249
1/1.7 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Integrated ND filter

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Canon S110

Compared to Leica C

Panasonic LF1

Leica C

$248
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive

$699
1/1.7 inch

Compare Panasonic LF1 vs Leica C

Canon EOS M3

Leica C

$850
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$699
1/1.7 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Leica C

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Panasonic LF1

Samsung NX3000

$248
1/1.7 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$950
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic LF1 vs Samsung NX3000

Canon EOS M3

Samsung NX3000

$850
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$950
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Samsung NX3000

Compared to Fujifilm X-E3

Panasonic LF1

Fujifilm X-E3

$248
1/1.7 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
NFC

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic LF1 vs Fujifilm X-E3

Canon EOS M3

Fujifilm X-E3

$850
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
NFC

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Fujifilm X-E3

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