In summary
For anyone shooting in the Southern Hemisphere, the absence of a built-in viewfinder is a big negative if you want to take pictures out of doors ““ and don’t we all? Having to fit an add-on EVF compromises the handling of the camera and increases the overall cost of the kit.
Nevertheless, the M3 retains the main advantages of previous EOS M cameras, being small, and Wi-Fi light and relatively inconspicuous. Their touch-screens make them useful for street photography, particularly at night where the high-ISO performance of the large sensor excels (although the AF system often falls short). There are a few new dedicated controls on the latest model but you’ll be relying on the arrow pad and menu for many essential adjustments almost as much as with the original EOS M.
The EOS M3 also shares some key components with the simultaneously-released EOS 760D and EOS 750D, notably its sensor, image processor and the 49-point Hybrid CMOS III autofocusing system. The latter includes phase detection pixels on the imager chip and covers roughly 80% of the frame vertically and 70% horizontally.
Full review
Canon’s new EOS M3 is the third model in the company’s CSC (compact system camera) line but only the second to be released in Australia. Following the lead of its predecessor, the new model uses the latest 24-megapixel sensor and DIGIC 6 processor, which are common to Canon’s mid-range EOS DSLR cameras. A built-in flash and integrated Wi-Fi are now included and the monitor flips through 180 degrees to face forwards for ‘selfies’.
Angled front view of the EOS M3 with the EF-M 18-55mm kit lens and the monitor flipped up for self-portraiture. (Source: Canon.)
There’s still no built-in viewfinder but the M3 can accept the optional EVF-DC1, which is also used for the PowerShot G1X Mark II and mounts onto the camera’s accessory shoe. This EVF has a resolution of 2,360,000 dots and it tilts upwards through 90 degrees as well as providing a high eyepoint and dioptric adjustment of -3.0 to +1.0.
Whereas the EOS M required an Eye-Fi card to support wireless file transmissions, the M3 comes with built-in Wi-Fi that includes a new Dynamic NFC function, which enables one-touch image transfers to smart devices. Auto-synching functionality lets users upload a batch of images to Canon’s online photo storage service, irista, for instant back-up.
The review camera was supplied with the EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM kit lens, which has been designed specifically for the smaller lens mounting on EOS M cameras. We reviewed this lens as part of our full review of the original EOS M, which was published in November 2012.
Who’s it For?
Although Canon says it is aiming the EOS M3 at ‘photographers who demand premium performance or… professional photographers to use as a secondary camera’ there’s actually not much to lift the new camera to a level above the original EOS M. Most of the essential flaws in the original camera remain largely unchanged and some features have also been scaled back. The table below compares key features of the two models.
|
|
EOS M3 |
EOS M |
|
Resolution |
24.2 megapixels |
18.0 megapixels |
|
Pixel pitch |
3.72 microns |
4.30 microns |
|
Image processor |
DIGIC 6 |
DIGIC 5 |
|
AF points |
49 |
31 |
|
Focus peaking |
Yes |
No |
|
Shutter speed range |
30-1/4000 second |
60-1/4000 second |
|
Monitor screen |
Tiltable (180 degrees) |
Fixed |
|
Integrated Wi-Fi |
Yes, with NFC |
No |
|
Built-in flash |
Yes, GN 5 (ISO 100, meters) |
No |
|
Optional viewfinder |
Yes, EVF-DC1 |
No |
|
Body dimensions (wxhxd) |
110.9 x 68.0 x 44.4 mm |
108.6 x 66.5 x 32.3 mm |
|
Weight with battery and card |
366 grams |
300 grams |
For anyone shooting in the Southern Hemisphere, the absence of a built-in viewfinder is a big negative if you want to take pictures out of doors ““ and don’t we all? Having to fit an add-on EVF compromises the handling of the camera and increases the overall cost of the kit.
The compatible EVF-DC1 viewfinder isn’t even listed among the accessories for the EOS M3 on Canon’s online shopping website; you have to go to the PowerShot accessories pages to find it, where it’s listed at AU$299, almost one third of the price of the single-lens kit.
Nevertheless, the M3 retains the main advantages of previous EOS M cameras, being small, and Wi-Fi light and relatively inconspicuous. Their touch-screens make them useful for street photography, particularly at night where the high-ISO performance of the large sensor excels (although the AF system often falls short). There are a few new dedicated controls on the latest model but you’ll be relying on the arrow pad and menu for many essential adjustments almost as much as with the original EOS M.
The EOS M3 also shares some key components with the simultaneously-released EOS 760D and EOS 750D, notably its sensor, image processor and the 49-point Hybrid CMOS III autofocusing system. The latter includes phase detection pixels on the imager chip and covers roughly 80% of the frame vertically and 70% horizontally.
Build and Ergonomics
Like the original EOS M, the EOS M3 will be sold in black and white versions (however, a red body is not being produced). Although it retains the ‘soap bar’ styling of the original EOS M, the M3 has a larger grip on the right hand side and is slightly larger and heavier overall. The thumb rest on the rear panel is also a bit more substantial, making the camera feel more secure and comfortable to use than its predecessor.
Front view of the EOS M3 with no lens fitted. (Source: Canon.)
The camera body is made from a combination of stainless steel, magnesium alloy and polycarbonate resin and feels more sturdy than the original M. A front control dial has been added around the shutter button, which sits on the forward-sloping top of the grip.
Top view of the EOS M3 with no lens fitted. (Source: Canon.)
Some important changes have taken place on the top panel, which now sports manual control and exposure compensation dials, just like a regular DSLR or mid-range CSC. A pop-up flash has been added to the left hand side of the top panel, with its top lying flush with the camera body. It’s raised with a switch on the left hand side panel (but pops up automatically in the full auto and Scene modes).
The power on/off button is now located on the right hand edge of the mode dial, with its top flush with the top panel. The mode dial carries the standard DSLR/CSC settings, which include Auto, P, Tv, Av, M and C (Custom) modes as well as a Creative Assist mode. This mode provides touch-screen adjustments for background blurring, brightness, contrast, saturation, colour tone and monochrome. The Scene mode accesses six pre-sets, while there are eight options in the Creative Filters sub-menu. The final setting is the Movie mode.
Back view of the EOS M3 with the monitor flat on the camera body. (Source: Canon.)
The EOS M’s Movie and Info buttons have been duplicated on the new model but new buttons have been added and there’s been some shuffling of the positions of other buttons. New AE-Lock/Index view and AF frame adjustment/Magnify view buttons have been positioned just above the arrow pad, shifting the Menu button down to the lower right hand corner of the back panel and the Playback button up to just below the Movie button.
The arrow pad’s directional buttons have all been re-allocated, with the ISO at the top, Delete at the bottom and Flash and Manual Focus buttons on the right and left sides, respectively. There’s still a second control dial around the arrow pad and the central Quick control/Set button remains.
The tilting monitor fits neatly into the rear panel, with its top flush with the camera body on the right hand side. In use, it can be tilted downwards through about 45 degrees for above-the-head shooting or pulled out and flipped up through 180 degrees to face forwards for self-portraiture.
The screen is the same size and has the same resolution as the original EOS M’s and supports the same touch-screen controls, which are well implemented include tap (touch and let go), drag and multi-touch operations. You can set the screen’s sensitivity levels to either Standard or Sensitive and disable touch controls, if desired. Both hinges appear to be strong enough to withstand normal usage.
As in the EOS M, the battery and memory card share a compartment in the base of the camera, which is accessed via a sliding cover. It’s a different battery from the original and slightly larger and heavier, despite offering only a slight increase in shooting capacity.
The HDMI terminal has been shifted to just below the strap anchor on the right hand side panel. The left hand side panel carries the regular digital (USB) terminal and 3.5 mm microphone jack under one cover. This compartment is located just below the flash pop-up switch.
As well as the battery/card compartment, the base plate carries a metal-lined tripod socket, which is aligned with the lens axis. The N-mark shows NFC contacts are also embedded in this panel.
Sensor and Image Processing
The sensor in the EOS M3 is the same 24.2-megapixel APS-C format chip as used in the new EOS 760D and EOS 750D. It is coupled with the same DIGIC 6 processor. Together, they enable the camera to support an ISO range of 100 to 12800, with expansion to ISO 25600 available. The maximum ISO for shooting movies remains at ISO 6400.
There has been a slight reduction in the maximum continuous shooting speed, from 4.3 frames/second (fps) to 4.2 fps, probably due to the larger files. The buffer memory is much the same size, with space for only five RAW files or four RAW+JPEG pairs, although JPEG capacity is claimed at 1000 frames.
Five JPEG sizes and two compression levels are provided but only one raw file option (recording at 5184 x 3456 pixels). Any JPEG size can be selected for RAW+JPEG capture. Four aspect ratios are supported: the standard 3:2 plus 4:3, 1:1 and 16:9 aspect ratios, achieved by cropping. The table below provides a guide to typical file sizes for 3:2 aspect ratio images.
|
Quality |
Pixels |
File size |
|
|
JPEG |
Large/Fine |
6000 x 4000 |
9.0MB |
|
Large/Normal |
5.8MB |
||
|
Medium/Fine |
4320 x 2880 |
5.8MB |
|
|
Medium/Normal |
3.6MB |
||
|
Small 1/Fine |
2880 x 1920 |
3.0MB |
|
|
Small 1/Normal |
2.0MB |
||
|
Small 2 |
2304 x 1536 |
1.8MB |
|
|
Small 3 |
720 x 480 |
0.2MB |
|
|
RAW |
RAW |
6000 x 4000 |
30.2MB |
Video
Movie clips are recorded in MPEG-4 format, using AVC.H.264 compression and a variable bit rate. Program AE and manual shooting modes are supported in movie mode. Still frames can be recorded while shooting movie clips but have the same aspect ratio as the movie. The shutter sound is recorded and the movie pauses briefly while the still image is captured, leaving a gap that must be edited out subsequently.
Full HD (1920 x 1080) and HD (1280 x 720) movie frames have a 16:9 aspect ratio, while VGA (640 x 480) movies are 4:3. The table below shows the options available, along with typical recording times and file sizes.
|
Movie resolution |
Frame rates (approx.) |
File size |
|
1920 x 1080 |
30/25/24 fps |
172.6MB/minute |
|
1280 x 720 |
60/50 fps |
115.4MB/minute |
|
640 x 480 |
30/250 fps |
22.4MB/minute |
The hybrid AF system works in much the same way in movie mode as it does for shooting stills. It uses phase-difference AF to achieve approximate focus and drive the lens at high speed, then switches to contrast AF for final focusing.
Regular focusing modes include One-Shot and Servo AFwith Face Detection + Tracking AF, Multi-point Live AF and Single-point Live AF. Touch AF is also supported for both stills and movies.
New additions to AF capabilities include Continuous and Tracking AF for shooting movies plus the ability to use the touch screen to shift AF points while you are recording. A special Video Servo AF mode keeps servo AF active at all times, even when the shutter button is not pressed. (This will consume some battery power.)
A wind filter is available for shooting in outdoor environments and users can adjust the audio volume separately for each of the stereo channels as well as reduce sound clipping in noisy environments with the dual channel attenuator control.
Like most current Canon cameras, the EOS M3 includes a Digest Movie option that saves short clips when movies are recorded and combines them at the end of the day to create a condensed recording of what you have shot. Digest movies can be up to 13 minutes and 20 seconds (or 4GB) in length.
Wi-Fi and NFC
These technologies have been implemented in the EOS M3 in much the same way as they have in other recent Canon cameras. The relatively new Dynamic NFC technology enables users to connect the camera to an Android smart device by simply bringing them into contact.
Once the devices are connected, users can view images from the camera on the smart device’s screen and use that screen to control some camera functions (touch focusing and shutter operations). Movie recording is not supported.
Users can also share images with most other Canon cameras that include Wi-Fi functionality, although not those relying on Eye-Fi cards. The connection is made using the Add a Device function in the Wi-Fi menu. Both cameras must have memory cards installed.
Installing Canon’s iMAGE GATEWAY software enables images to be sent automatically to a computer or stored in Canon’s Web service destination. Users can choose whether to send single or multiple images and change the image size (resolution) to make transmissions faster. Up to 50 images can be sent in a batch. Movies can also be transmitted but only one at a time and the image quality will depend on what the smart device supports.
Playback and Software
Playback modes are much the same as the EOS M’s and common to most Canon EOS cameras. The camera supports single and index (6, 12, 42 or 110 thumbnails), jump playback and playback zoom with 1.5x to 10mx magnification.
Slideshows can be displayed with selectable intervals from three to 30 seconds and fade in/out transitions. Brightness and RGB histograms are also available, along with a highlight alert warning.
The camera supports auto rotation using the ‘intelligent’ orientation sensor. Users can also input copyright data for metadata tagging and rate images with 0 to 5 stars.
The software bundle contains the usual Digital Photo Professional raw file converter plus Canon’s Picture Style Editor, EOS Utility and Image Transfer Utility.
Performance
Like the original EOS M, the M3 produces ‘gutsy’ images with plenty of detail, natural-looking colours and well controlled contrast and saturation. Both AF and metering speeds have improved significantly since the original model in normal light levels. The camera can adjust quite quickly when moving between brightly-lit and dark subjects, with the biggest improvement seen when recording movie clips.
However, autofocusing in very low light levels remains beyond the capabilities of the AF system and the camera will hunt for several seconds and may not find focus even then. If you switch to manual focusing it is usually necessary to brighten up the monitor screen and use the focusing aids available (magnification and peaking) before you can make the scene appear sharp.
Imatest showed the camera to be capable of maintaining relatively high resolution across most of its sensitivity range. However, resolution failed to meet expectations for the sensor’s resolution with either JPEG or CR2.RAW files, although it came acceptably close with the latter. The graph below shows the results of our Imatest tests across the camera’s sensitivity range.
Test shots were almost noise-free up to ISO 3200, after which both noise and softening became increasingly visible in long exposures. By ISO 12800, both noise and softening were obvious when images were enlarged even slightly. One second exposures at ISO 25600 were very soft and granular looking.
The built-in flash produced slightly under-exposed shots with the 55mm focal length at ISO 100 but managed correct exposures between ISO 200 and ISO 3200 (inclusive), thereafter producing increasing levels of over-exposure up to the top ISO settings (which were grossly over-exposed). Adjustments appear to be achieved by controlling the flash output, since a consistent 1/60 second at f/5.6 exposure was maintained throughout the sensitivity range.
Video quality was remarkably good overall when recordings were made in normal light levels. The camera’s autofocusing system was able to keep pace with moving subjects, resulting in clips in which there were few lapses in focusing ““ or exposure. The dynamic range in movie clips was also nice and wide, even in quite contrasty lighting.
Audio quality was similar to the quality we obtained from the EOS M and very good for the size and location of the built-in microphones. Some wind noise was picked up when shooting outdoors, although the wind filter could handle up to about 12 knot winds. No camera noises were detected in movie soundtracks.
We conducted our timing tests with a 16GB Panasonic Gold Series SDHC Class 10/UHS Class 3 card which supports a read speed of up to 95MB/s and write speeds up to 45MB/s. This is the fastest card in our current collection.
The review camera took approximately half a second to power up ready for shooting. We measured an average capture lag of 0. 2 seconds when the shutter button was used to trigger the exposure and 0.6 seconds with the touch shutter.
This lag was eliminated with pre-focusing when the shutter button was used but remained unchanged for the touch shutter. Shot-to-shot times averaged one second without flash and four seconds when the flash was used. The camera has no indicator light to show image processing times but the monitor returned to live view 2.7 seconds after a Large/Fine JPEG or CR2.RAW file was recorded.
In the continuous shooting mode the review camera recorded 60 Large/Fine JPEGs in 12 seconds, which equates to five frames/second. This is faster than the 4.2 fps rate specified for the camera.
With CR2.RAW files, the capture rate stalled after five frames, which were recorded at 0.2 second intervals. For RAW+JPEG pairs, capture rates slowed after four frames, which were recorded in one second. (These figures are the same as for the original EOS M.)
Conclusion
Although the EOS M3 is better configured for photo enthusiasts, the lack of a built-in EVF remains a serious barrier to its acceptance as a serious enthusiast’s or pro photographer’s camera ““ even as a back-up body. The small buffer capacity for raw files will also be a disadvantage for these photographers. In addition, with respect to image resolution, the higher resolution of the sensor doesn’t seem to have provided as much benefit as it might seem from the camera’s sepcifiations.
Unfortunately, for Canon, there are plenty of competing cameras in this category, some with higher resolution (Samsung’s NX500, for example), many with equal or better functionality and performance. And most of them are selling for similar or lower prices.
Canon will need to offer more ““ in the form of technological advancements or improved functionality (a built-in EVF would be a good start) ““ to make its CSC products as popular as its DSLRs have been. And increasing resolution further won’t be the answer since most people who end up buying this camera are unlikely to make large prints of their pictures.
Recent figures from CIPA (the Japanese Camera & Imaging Products Association, which tracks worldwide camera shipments) show a decline in the numbers of cameras shipped in the first quarter of 2015. Canon itself has admitted to a decline of more than 20% in DSLR shipments worldwide in its latest financial report.
In a world where camera-phones provide most of the picture-taking facilities most consumers require along with much easier image sharing facilities, the interchangeable-lens camera sector desperately needs new visions and exciting technological innovations to peak buyers’ interests. Without such stimulus, there’s no incentive to upgrade from existing gear, despite the advantages new cameras like the EOS M3 can offer.
SPECS
Image sensor: 22.3 x 14.9 mm CMOS sensor with approx. 24.7 million photosites (24.2 megapixels effective)
Image processor: DIGIC 6
Lens mount: EF-M (EF and EF-S lenses compatible via Mount adapter EF-EOS M)
Focal length crop factor: 1.6x
Image formats: Stills ““ JPEG (Exif 2.30 compliant), CR2.RAW (14-bit), RAW+JPEG; Movies ““ MP4 [Video: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, with AAC-LC stereo audio
Image Sizes: Stills ““ 3:2: 6000 x 4000, 4320 x 2880, 2880 x 1920, 2304 x 1536, 720 x 480; 4:3: 5328 x 4000, 3840 x 2880, 2560 x 1920, 2048 x 1536, 640 x 480;16:9: 6000 x 3376, 4320 x 2432, 2880 x 1616, 1920 x 1080, 720 x 408; 1:1: 4000 x 4000, 2880 x 2880, 1920 x 1920, 1536 x 1536, 480 x 480 ; Movies: 1920 x 1080 (29.97, 25, 23.976 fps); 1280 x 720 (59.94, 50 fps); VGA – 640 x 480 (29.97, 25 fps); Miniature Effect – HD, VGA – (6, 3, 1.5 fps); Hybrid Auto – HD – (30 fps)
Image Stabilisation: Lens based (Dynamic IS available with compatible lenses)
Dust removal: EOS integrated cleaning system
Shutter (speed range): Hybrid Single Blade Shutter (Electronic first curtain and mechanical second curtain shutter); 30-1/4000 sec in 1/3 stop increments plus Bulb; X-synch at 1/200 sec
Exposure Compensation: +/-3 EV in 1/3EV steps (can be combined with AEB)
Exposure bracketing: 3 shots, +/- 2 EV in 1/3-stop increments
Other bracketing options:
Self-timer: 2 or 10 seconds delay
Focus system: 49-point Hybrid CMOS AF system with phase detection pixels built onto imaging sensor
Focus modes: One-Shot AF and Servo AF; Automatic selection (Face+Tracking), Manual selection (1-point AF)
Exposure metering: Real-time metering from the image sensor with Evaluative metering (384 zones), Partial metering at centre (approx. 10%), Spot metering (approx. 2%) and Centre weighted average metering
Shooting modes: Scene Intelligent Auto mode (Stills and Movie), Creative Assist (Stills and Movie). Hybrid Auto, SCN (Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Handheld Night Scene, Food), Program AE , Shutter priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Manual, Custom); Movie modes: Movie auto, Movie manual exposure
Creative Filters: HDR, Fish-eye Effect, Art Bold Effect, Water Painting Effect, Miniature Effect (Stills and Movie), Toy Camera Effect, Soft Focus, Grainy B/W
Photo Style Modes: Auto, Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome, User Defined (x3)
Custom Functions: 6 Custom Functions with 17 settings including 7 customisable buttons/controls
Colour space options: sRGB only
ISO range: Auto (100-12800); ISO 100-12800 in 1/3 stop increments; ISO can be expanded to H: 25600; Max. ISO 6400 for movies
White balance: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, White Fluorescent light, Flash, Custom; White balance compensation: Blue/Amber +/-9, Magenta/ Green +/-9.
Flash: Built-in GN 5 (ISO 100, meters); up to 18mm focal length coverage; approx 3 seconds recycle time
Flash modes: Auto, Manual Flash On/off, Slow Synchro; red-eye reduction available via lamp
Flash exposure adjustment: +/- 2EV in 1/3EV increments
Sequence shooting: Max. 4.2 shots/sec.
Buffer capacity: Max. 1000 JPEGs, 5 RAW files or 4 RAW+JPEG pairs
Storage Media: SD, SDHC, SDXC cards (Compatible with UHS-I standard SDHC / SDXC Memory Cards)
Viewfinder: Optional Electronic Viewfinder EVF-DC1
LCD monitor: Tilting 3-inch sRGB ClearView II Touchscreen LCD (TFT). 3:2 aspect ratio. Approx. 1,040,000 dots. In-cell capacitive type; approx. 100% coverage
Playback functions: Single image, Single image with information (Customisable with 6 levels), Index display (6/12/42/110 images), Jump Display, Slide Show with Transition Effects, Histogram (brightness/RGB), Highlight Alert, Erase: Single image, Selected images, Selected range, All images; Protection: Selected images, Selected range, All images. Unprotect all images
Interface terminals: Hi-Speed USB (Mini-B compatible); HDMI(Type-C/Mini compatible); External microphone (3.5mm stereo mini jack)
Wi-Fi function: IEEE 802.11b/g/n with Dynamic NFC support
Power supply: LP-E17 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery Pack; CIPA rated for approx. 250 shots/charge
Dimensions (wxhxd): Approx. 110.9 x 68.0 x 44.4 mm
Weight: Approx. 366 grams with battery and card
TESTS
JPEG images
Raw images converted in Adobe Camera Raw.
SAMPLES
Auto white balance with incandescent lighting.
Auto white balance with fluorescent lighting.
Auto white balance with flash lighting.
30-second exposure at ISO 100; 40mm focal length at f/5.
13-second exposure at ISO 800; 40mm focal length at f/8.
6-second exposure at ISO 3200; 40mm focal length at f/9.
4-second exposure at ISO 6400; 40mm focal length at f/11.
2.5-second exposure at ISO 12800; 40mm focal length at f/13.
1-second exposure at ISO 25600; 40mm focal length at f/11.
Flash exposure at ISO 100; 55mm focal length, 1/60 second at f/5.6.
Flash exposure at ISO 800; 55mm focal length, 1/60 second at f/5.6.
Flash exposure at ISO 3200; 55mm focal length, 1/60 second at f/5.6.
Flash exposure at ISO 6400; 55mm focal length, 1/60 second at f/5.6.
Flash exposure at ISO 12800; 55mm focal length, 1/60 second at f/5.6.
Flash exposure at ISO 25600; 55mm focal length, 1/60 second at f/5.6.
Strong backlighting;18mm focal length, ISO 100, 1/320 second at f/9.
Strong backlighting; 55mm focal length, ISO 100, 1/320 second at f/11.
55mm focal length, ISO 100, 1/160 second at f/8.
Close-up; 55mm focal length, ISO 100, 1/100 second at f/5.6.
Strongly backlit close-up; 18mm focal length, ISO 100, 1/120 second at f/5.
Strongly backlit close-up; 55mm focal length, ISO 100, 1/200 second at f/5.6.
55mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/800 second at f/10.
55mm focal length, ISO 800, 1/80 second at f/6.3.
55mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/320 second at f/5.6.
55mm focal length, ISO 100, 1/500 second at f/7.1.
50mm focal length, ISO 1600, 1/100 second at f/5.6.
55mm focal length, ISO 100, 1/1000 second at f/8.
Still frame from Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixel) video clip.
Still frame from HD (1280 x 720 pixel) video clip.
Still frame from VGA (640 x 480 pixel) video clip.
Rating
RRP: AU$849 (body only), $999 (single-lens kit, as reviewed); not available in the USA
- Build: 8.8
- Ease of use: 8.5
- Autofocusing: 8.3
- Still image quality JPEG: 8.5
- Still image quality RAW: 8.5
- Video quality: 9.0
