Canon EOS M3 Image Quality Comparison
Below are crops from our laboratory Still Life target comparing Canon EOS M3 image quality to the original, the EOS M (sorry, the M2 never made it into our lab), as well as against several mirrorless models at similar price points or in similar categories: the Fuji X-A2, Olympus E-PL7, Samsung NX500 and Sony A6000.
NOTE: These images are from best quality JPEGs straight out of the camera, at default settings including noise reduction and using the camera's actual base ISO (not extended ISO settings). All cameras in this comparison were shot with our very sharp reference lenses. Clicking any crop will take you to a carrier page where you can click once again to access the full resolution image as delivered straight from the camera. For those interested in working with the RAW files involved, click these links to visit each camera's respective sample image thumbnail page: Canon EOS M3, Canon EOS M, Fuji X-A2, Olympus E-PL7, Samsung NX500 and Sony A6000 -- links to the RAW files appear beneath those for the JPEG images, wherever we have them. And remember, you can always go to our world-renowned Comparometer to compare the Canon EOS M3 to any camera we've ever tested!
Canon EOS M3 vs Canon EOS M at Base ISO
Canon EOS M3 vs Fujifilm X-A2 at Base ISO
Canon EOS M3 vs Olympus E-PL7 at Base ISO
Canon EOS M3 vs Samsung NX500 at Base ISO
Canon EOS M3 vs Sony A6000 at Base ISO
Canon EOS M3 vs Canon EOS M at ISO 1600
Canon EOS M3 vs Fujifilm X-A2 at ISO 1600
Canon EOS M3 vs Olympus E-PL7 at ISO 1600
Canon EOS M3 vs Samsung NX500 at ISO 1600
Canon EOS M3 vs Sony A6000 at ISO 1600
Canon EOS M3 vs Canon EOS M at ISO 3200
Canon EOS M3 vs Fujifilm X-A2 at ISO 3200
Canon EOS M3 vs Olympus E-PL7 at ISO 3200
Canon EOS M3 vs Samsung NX500 at ISO 3200
Canon EOS M3 vs Sony A6000 at ISO 3200
Canon EOS M3 vs. Canon EOS M, Fujifilm X-A2, Olympus E-PL7, Samsung NX500, Sony A6000
Canon EOS M3 Print Quality Analysis
High-quality prints up to 30 x 40 inches at ISO 100-400; Nice 11 x 14 inch prints at ISO 3200; and 4 x 6 inch prints squeak by at ISO 25,600.
ISO 800 images still look very good, however, we can see that subtle shadow noise has become apparent, making a 20 x 30 inch print the largest size we're comfortable with. With that said, the colors and detail are still very good, so a 24 x 36 print could do well for less critical applications.
ISO 1600 prints look great up to 16 x 20 inches. Noise in the shadows is more visible now, though finely grained, but overall, prints at this size still show a lot of detail and pleasing colors.
ISO 3200 images might work up to 13 x 19 inches for less critical applications, but the increasing appearance of noise has us playing it safe with 11 x 14 inches. Fine detail is still quite good at this print size, but we noticed colors begin to appear slightly drab with a subtle greenish tinge now.
ISO 6400 prints look great up to 8 x 10 inches. Naturally, noise is stronger and more apparent at this sensitivity now, but there's still a good amount of detail.
ISO 12,800 images top-out at 5 x 7 inches. Details become too soft due to noise to really consider any larger print sizes acceptable.
ISO 25,600 prints just manage to squeak by with a usable 4 x 6 inch print. At this size, the increased noise and drab colors are workable, though we're very hesitant to print anything larger at this ISO sensitivity.
Sporting a big upgrade in the sensor and processor department compared to the original EOS M, the new Canon EOS M3 has an impressive showing in the print quality department, particularly at lower ISOs. Surprisingly, prints from ISO 100 up to 400 look virtually identical with lots of detail and great colors allowing for very large prints up to 30 x 40 inches. At the middle ISO ranges, the M3 does well to control noise and balance NR processing with a good amount of fine detail. At ISO 3200, the M3 manages a pleasant 11 x 14 inch print, though colors have begun to appear slightly "off" at this point. Even at the tip-top of the ISO scale, the new Canon EOS M3 achieves a usable 4 x 6 at ISO 25,600.
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