Canon EOS M3 vs Panasonic ZS100

Cameras
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Canon EOS M3 vs Panasonic ZS100

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.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.1 megapixels
25.00mm - 250.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Panasonic ZS100 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic ZS100 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the ZS100.
Compare Panasonic ZS100 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic ZS100 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon EOS M6
Compare EOS M3 vs EOS M6

Succeeded by the Panasonic ZS200
Compare ZS100 vs ZS200

Compare CANON EOS M6 vs PANASONIC ZS200

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Differences

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Panasonic ZS100

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.72 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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 ZS100 test data on DxO Mark

1,169 vs 559 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
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos

Panasonic ZS100 advantages over Canon EOS M3

Less expensive
$398* vs $549
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

300 vs 250 shots
Capture more photos
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/200 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
9.9 fps vs 4.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.5 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
14 vs 4 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
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
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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read EOS M3 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read ZS100 User Reviews

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Kit with 18-55mm lens (Black)
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Buy the Panasonic ZS100

Panasonic ZS100 (Black)

Panasonic ZS100 (Black)
Panasonic ZS100 (Silver)

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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.
Read our Canon EOS M3 Review

Compact camera body; versatile 10x zoom lens; relatively good high ISO performance; fast autofocus; many good 4K video and photo features.
Soft lens at longer focal lengths; no tilting display; small electronic viewfinder; slippery finish on the camera body.
Read our Panasonic ZS100 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A6000

Canon EOS M3

Sony A6000

$429
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$548
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Sony A6000

Panasonic ZS100

Sony A6000

$498
1 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$548
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Sony A6000

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

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Sony A5100

Panasonic ZS100

Sony A5100

$498
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$348
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Sony A5100

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

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Fujifilm X-E3

Panasonic ZS100

Fujifilm X-E3

$498
1 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Fujifilm X-E3

Compared to Sony RX100 VI

Canon EOS M3

Sony RX100 VI

$429
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$949
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Sony RX100 VI

Panasonic ZS100

Sony RX100 VI

$498
1 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$949
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Sony RX100 VI

Compared to Sony RX100 VII

Canon EOS M3

Sony RX100 VII

$429
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$1298
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Sony RX100 VII

Panasonic ZS100

Sony RX100 VII

$498
1 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$1298
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic ZS100 vs Sony RX100 VII

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