• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 24.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Nikon D780

  • Less expensive
    $549 vs $2797
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    44 mm vs 76 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    366g vs 840g
    Lighter weight

Nikon D780 advantages over Canon EOS M3

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.94 vs 3.72 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 2260 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    120 mm vs 88 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Newer
    4 years vs 8 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    2359k vs 1040k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 29 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Longer exposure
    900 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 4.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    12.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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 GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon EOS M3

Review Excerpt

  • 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.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A5100

Canon EOS M3
Sony A5100
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • External Mic Jack
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D780
Sony A5100
  • $2230
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon EOS M3
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D780
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $2230
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • NFC
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Canon EOS M100

Canon EOS M3
Canon EOS M100
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • External Mic Jack
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Nikon D780
Canon EOS M100
  • $2230
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compared to Fujifilm X-E3

Canon EOS M3
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D780
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $2230
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Canon EOS M3
Pentax K-1 II
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D780
Pentax K-1 II
  • $2230
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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