• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 450.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Nikon S9100 advantages over Canon EOS M3

  • 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
  • Lighter weight
    212g vs 366g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.5 fps vs 4.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Nikon S9100

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.72 vs 1.54 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
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    9 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • 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 0.22 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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

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Buy the Canon EOS M3

Review Excerpt

  • Backside-illuminated sensor for good low-light performance; Very long zoom; Good printed performance; Very fast autofocus.

  • Autofocus is not always reliable; Auto white balance renders skin tones a little red; Slow digital zoom.

  • 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 Pentax RZ18

Nikon S9100
Pentax RZ18
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $210
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • More pixels
Canon EOS M3
Pentax RZ18
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $210
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Panasonic ZS15

Nikon S9100
Panasonic ZS15
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure
Canon EOS M3
Panasonic ZS15
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compared to Canon SX280 HS

Nikon S9100
Canon SX280 HS
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
Canon EOS M3
Canon SX280 HS
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Sony A5100

Nikon S9100
Sony A5100
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon EOS M3
Sony A5100
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • External Mic Jack
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Fujifilm X-E3

Nikon S9100
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon EOS M3
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
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