• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Samsung NX20 advantages over Canon EOS M3

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $549
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C 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
    ~ 4.33 vs 3.72 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 360 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.5 fps vs 4.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Samsung NX20

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,169 vs 785 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
  • Newer
    9 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 614k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.35 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 20.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 11 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

  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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

  • 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 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon EOS M3

Review Excerpt

  • High quality images with lots of detail; Excellent graphical user interface is fun to use; Smart implementation of WiFi makes it relatively easy to share photos wirelessly.

  • Designed so much like a DSLR you may wonder why you shouldn't get a DSLR instead; Some performance issues, particularly slow buffer clearing and shot-to-shot speed; Initial WiFi set-up can be confusing.

  • 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 K-01

Samsung NX20
Pentax K-01
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Canon EOS M3
Pentax K-01
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony NEX-F3

Samsung NX20
Sony NEX-F3
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
Canon EOS M3
Sony NEX-F3
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Samsung NX30

Samsung NX20
Samsung NX30
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Canon EOS M3
Samsung NX30
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More pixels
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony A5100

Samsung NX20
Sony A5100
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Hot shoe
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
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

Samsung NX20
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Canon EOS M3
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $429
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
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